Sutton Council has announced young people leaving the care system will no longer pay council tax until they turn 25.

The new proposal ensures that all care leavers regardless of their circumstance are exempt until their mid twenties, which is when the council’s role as their Corporate Parent officially ends.

The 'ambitious' move to further support young people leaving care will help them overcome financial difficulties.

Care leavers who are supported by a local authority rather than their parents often face more challenges than other young people in the same community.

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Prior to the accepted proposal the discount or reduction available to Care Leavers varied.

A study by the Children's Society showed that 57% of care leavers have difficulty managing their money, avoiding debt and are three times more likely to receive a benefit sanction than the general population.

Councillor Marian James, Chair of the People Committee and the Corporate Parent Forum said: “We have a duty to support care leavers to successfully transition to adulthood but we also need to be compassionate to their wider needs as they leave our care.

"We are ambitious for our children and young people and want to enable them to reach their full potential.

"Support is provided by the Leaving Care Team covering different aspects of a young person’s life - finances, health and wellbeing, accommodation and housing and employment and education.

"I am pleased to announce this new scheme and want to look at further ways we can shape services to positively impact our children and young people’s futures.”