Adults leaving care servies could be spared from paying council tax under a new policy.

The plans to stop young people from shelling out on council tax will be considered by Bexley Council in the autumn.

The move would affect adults leaving the council’s care services up to the age of 25.

Currently, one in six councils have scrapped council tax for care leavers, and the government has encouraged more councils to take similar steps.

Cllr Joe Ferreira sparked a debate about the reduction at Wednesday’s full council meeting, and council leader Teresa O’Neill said it was already being considered.

Cllr O’Neill said: “The plan is that there can be a consideration for that on the way.

“There has already been a conversation with the overview and scrutiny chairman, who has already agreed there will be input into that.”

About 70 councils in England have brought in exemptions.

The council has corporate parenting responsibilities towards children in care up until they are 25.

The council looks after about 262 children at a time.

Cllr Phillip Read, member for children’s services, said: “We are aware of the reccomendation of the Children’s Society regarding this and it has been subject of discussions.

“We are approaching this under our role as corporate parents, and how we can best prepare our children for when they leave our care. We take our responsibilities very seriously.”

The Children’s Society has called on councils across the country to make leavers exempt until 25.

The policy will be considered at a cabinet meeting in October.

The council raised tax earlier this year by nearly four per cent, including a two per cent hike for social care.