A raft of new measures aimed at helping some of Greenwich’s lowest income residents with their council tax has been passed.

Councillors unanimously voted through the changes to the council tax support scheme, which means the level of support for working age claimants will raise to 100 per cent, from 85.

Cabinet member for finance and resources, Cllr Christine Grice, said she was “delighted” about the changes and the impact they would have on some of the borough’s lowest paid residents.

“I just want to say when I went out with a bailiff I did learn there are families who can’t pay, and those who won’t pay…and I’m delighted that the majority who can’t pay will fall into this support,” she said.

She said the move is also expected to reduce the need and associated cost of council using bailiffs in the borough.

Tory leader Matthew Hartley, whose party had proposed the changes multiple times, said he too was delighted.

“We are particularly pleased this will apply not only to the most vulnerable working age residents as the Fairness Commission recommended, but all eligible working age recipients as we have previously proposed,” he said.

“This means that thousands of residents on the lowest incomes will finally be lifted out of council tax altogether.”

He added “it was not only the right thing to do, but frees up more collection resources” for the council, as well as making Greenwich “among the most progressive boroughs in the country” with its council tax support.