Councillors have unanimously backed a Labour group motion calling for the terminally ill to receive a council tax relief
Councillors on Hull City Council have unanimously voted in favour of a motion calling for terminally ill people with less than 12 months to live to be made exempt from paying council tax. Charity, Marie Curie is calling for councils across the country to introduce such measures.
Earlier this year, Manchester City Council became the first local authority in the UK to introduce council tax support for the terminally ill. Following this, a motion calling for Hull City Council to follow suit was brought forward by Labour councillor, Anna Thompson, who represents the Southcoates ward.
The motion, called on the council to set out a plan “to change its policies to explicitly include a commitment to support people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.” It has since received cross-party support at November’s Full Council meeting.
“For those given a terminal diagnosis, life changes overnight,” Cllr Thompson told the council chamber. “The focus shifts from plans for the future to managing pain, treatment, and most importantly, spending precious time with loved ones,” she added.
Seconding the motion, fellow Labour councillor Sharon Kassim (Central ward) said the motion backs the principles of “dignity and compassion.” She added: “The cost of a serious illness isn’t just medical, it’s emotional, practical, and deeply financial.
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“Many rely on loved ones who also cut their hours or give up employment entirety to provide care. At the same time the cost rises because of transport to appointments, heating for comfort, specialist equipment, and countless small expenses that stack up quickly.”
The Labour Party motion received full backing from the council’s ruling Liberal Democrat group. The Lib Dem’s Cllr Jack Haines (Boothferry ward) said it gave him “great joy” to see the motion being brought to the council. “It’s the little gestures of kindness that we all make as a council and as councillors that separates us from the rest of what is quite a worrying political climate out there.” Cllr Haines also invited councillors “to think about how many other small, but incredibly impactful, things we can do between now and the next budget that will make a difference to a small minority of people.”