Dudley Council is reviewing the support available under its Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

The scheme provides eligible working-age people with a discount on council tax, but as the council works towards setting a balanced budget it is proposing to consult on plans to increase the minimum payment to 60 per cent.

The proposals, which will go before next week’s cabinet, will not affect people of pension age and is not related to council tax discounts, such as single person discounts.

If approved, the consultation will go live on December 12 and run until 16 January.

Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for finance, said: “These are unprecedented times and Dudley, like councils across the country is having to take difficult decisions in order make £35 million of savings to set a balanced budget.

“Due to this we are looking carefully at all non-statutory services and will be holding a consultation on possible changes to how we operate the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

“People of pension age and on council tax discounts, such as single person discounts, will not be affected by the proposals.”

Cabinet will consider the report when it meets on Wednesday December 11.