A consultation on how much people on low incomes should pay in council tax has been launched.

Under Barnet Borough Council’s current council tax support scheme people who are eligible to receive a discount pay 8.5 per cent of their bills – a discount of 91.5 per cent.

Over the next five years, the authority needs to make savings of £72m so it plans to develop a scheme which provides support to those who need it, but is also affordable.

Three options – to continue with the current scheme, to increase contribution rates to 15 per cent or 20 per cent – have been proposed.

More than 20,000 people of working age who receive council tax support will be affected by the changes.

Disabled people, lone parents, families and others on low income will also be affected.

The consultation is open until October 27, 2014.

For further information and to take part in the consultation, visit engage.barnet.gov.uk