Dudley Council has launched a consultation on proposed changes to 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 consulting on proposals to increase the minimum payment to 60%.

The proposals will not affect people of pension age and is not related to council tax discounts, such as single person discounts. The consultation will run online until 16 January.

Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for finance, said: “Local authorities across the country are having to take difficult decisions, and here at Dudley Council we need to make in the region of £35 million of savings to set a balanced budget.

“Today we have launched a consultation on our Council Tax Reduction Scheme, and we are asking residents to look at these proposals and have their say.”