Barnet Council Offers Council Tax Relief to Terminally Ill Residents 2026

Key Points

• Barnet Council has announced new support for terminally ill residents, easing financial pressure at the end of life by exempting them from Council Tax under the Council Tax Discretionary Relief (CTDR) and Housing Payment (HP) Policy, depending on their situation.​
• Barnet becomes one of the first councils in London to offer this relief, following precedents set by Manchester City Council and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.​
• The policy aligns with a national movement led by charities like Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end-of-life charity, advocating for compassionate local support.​
• Cllr Simon Radford, Barnet Council Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, emphasised dignity, fairness, and quick help without complicated processes.​
• Cllr Caroline Stock, Vice-chair of Barnet’s Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee, who initiated the motion, highlighted reducing bureaucracy for those with terminal diagnoses.​
• Toby North, Head of Public Affairs at Marie Curie, applauded Barnet and urged all councils nationwide to follow suit swiftly.​
• Eligibility requires residents to be liable for Council Tax, receive Council Tax Support, and provide a Special Rules SR1 medical form from a clinician confirming life expectancy of 12 months or less.​
• Those not meeting all criteria can apply via the general CTDR process for holistic consideration.​
• The decision addresses growing attention on financial burdens like housing costs and Council Tax for terminally ill people.​

Barnet, (North London News) February 11, 2026 – Barnet Council has launched a compassionate new policy granting Council Tax relief to terminally ill residents, positioning the borough as a pioneer among London authorities in supporting those at life’s end. This initiative, integrated into the Council Tax Discretionary Relief (CTDR) and Housing Payment (HP) Policy, aims to alleviate financial strains amid loss of income, rising care costs, and emotional challenges. By following trailblazing councils like Manchester City Council and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Barnet joins a burgeoning national effort championed by end-of-life charities such as Marie Curie.​

What Triggered Barnet Council’s Policy Change?

The policy stems from heightened awareness of the economic hardships faced by terminally ill individuals, particularly concerning Council Tax and housing expenses. As pressures mount on families navigating end-of-life care, local authorities have come under scrutiny to provide swift, humane relief.

Cllr Caroline Stock, Vice-chair of Barnet’s Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee, first spotlighted the issue through a pivotal motion presented to the council. As reported in coverage of the announcement, Cllr Stock stated:

“I’m proud to have brought forward the motion, which ensures that residents facing the most difficult moments of their lives are met with compassion rather than unnecessary bureaucracy. People living with a terminal diagnosis deserve a system that supports them, not one that adds to their burden. By adopting this policy, the council has taken an important and dignified step toward a more compassionate borough, and I’m grateful to colleagues for uniting behind this vital change.”.​

This motion galvanised cross-party support, transforming advocacy into actionable policy and underscoring Barnet’s commitment to resident welfare during crises.

Who Is Eligible for the Council Tax Relief?

Qualification hinges on straightforward yet specific criteria designed for accessibility. Residents must be liable for Council Tax, already receiving Council Tax Support, and submit a Special Rules SR1 medical form completed by a clinician. This form, widely used across the UK under the “Special Rules” process, verifies a terminal diagnosis with a life expectancy of 12 months or less.​

Flexibility remains a cornerstone: the policy does not bar those failing to meet every requirement. Instead, such individuals can pursue relief through the broader CTDR application route, where officers assess circumstances holistically. This dual pathway ensures no one is overlooked, prioritising individual needs over rigid checkboxes.

Cllr Simon Radford, Barnet Council Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, elaborated on the intent behind this structure. He remarked:

“This policy change is about dignity, fairness and supporting people at the most difficult point in their lives. Charities say that removing or reducing Council Tax helps families who may be dealing with loss of income, increased care costs, and the emotional strain of end-of-life care. We want residents who are terminally ill to receive help quickly, without facing complicated processes or unnecessary stress.”.​

How Does Barnet Compare to Other Councils?

Barnet’s move marks it as one of London’s early adopters, trailing only national forerunners like Manchester City Council and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. These precedents have illuminated a path for practical, empathetic governance, inspiring replication amid a charity-led push.

This aligns with a wider UK trend, where end-of-life support gains traction. Barnet’s adoption elevates North London’s role in this evolution, potentially influencing neighbouring boroughs facing similar resident pressures.

Toby North, Head of Public Affairs at Marie Curie, praised the development in statements tied to the announcement. He said:

“We applaud Barnet Council for removing this burden from those with a terminal illness, and the councils who have already committed to providing council tax relief for dying people. These councils continue to set a powerful precedent for compassionate local governance, showing that practical policy change is possible. We urge all councils across the country to follow suit and encourage those who have passed supportive motions to act swiftly on their commitments to make real change. No one should spend their final months worrying about bills.”.​

Mr North’s comments, drawn from Marie Curie’s advocacy, highlight the charity’s instrumental role in catalysing such reforms nationwide.

Why Is This Policy Crucial for Terminally Ill Residents?

Financial woes compound the profound difficulties of terminal illness, from diminished earnings to escalating care demands. Council Tax, often a fixed household burden, exacerbates these strains, forcing families into distressing choices during grief-stricken times.

By waiving or reducing this levy, Barnet eases immediate pressures, allowing focus on care and closure rather than bureaucracy. Charities like Marie Curie emphasise that such relief restores dignity, preventing bills from overshadowing final months.

The policy’s rapid implementation—bypassing protracted applications—addresses a core grievance: unnecessary stress atop existential hardship. As Cllr Radford noted, it embodies fairness, ensuring support arrives promptly and proportionately.​

What Role Did Charities Play in This Decision?

Marie Curie, the UK’s pre-eminent end-of-life charity, has driven the national discourse, lobbying councils to prioritise terminal illness in relief frameworks. Their evidence on income loss and care costs directly informed Barnet’s rationale, amplifying voices often sidelined in fiscal policy.​

This collaboration exemplifies how philanthropy intersects with local government, turning data-driven pleas into tangible aid. Toby North’s endorsement not only validates Barnet but rallies laggard authorities, framing the policy as a replicable blueprint.​

When and How Can Residents Apply?

The policy takes effect immediately upon announcement, with applications processed via existing CTDR and HP channels. Terminally ill residents should secure the SR1 form from their clinician, a standard document streamlining verification.​

For non-standard cases, the general CTDR pathway invites comprehensive submissions, promising case-by-case empathy. Barnet Council pledges minimal delays, aligning with Cllr Stock’s vision of bureaucracy-free support.​

Residents are encouraged to contact council services promptly, ensuring swift relief amid evolving needs.

What Broader Impacts Might This Have on Barnet?

Beyond individual families, the policy burnishes Barnet’s reputation as a compassionate borough, potentially drawing positive attention in North London. It may spur budgetary efficiencies by preempting appeals and fostering goodwill.

Locally, it resonates amid urban development debates, reminding stakeholders of human priorities. As one of London’s first, Barnet sets a benchmark, possibly pressuring holdouts like Camden or Brent to act.

How Does the SR1 Form Work in Practice?

The Special Rules SR1 form serves as the policy’s evidentiary linchpin, completed by medical professionals to affirm prognosis. Its nationwide familiarity expedites processing, bypassing exhaustive proofs.​

This mechanism, integral to UK end-of-life protocols, underscores the policy’s grounded design—leveraging established tools for novel relief.

What Challenges Could Arise in Implementation?

Potential hurdles include clinician workload for SR1 completions and administrative capacity amid applications. Yet Barnet’s holistic fallback mitigates exclusions, while training could smooth operations.

Cllr Radford’s stress on simplicity anticipates these, committing to streamlined systems.​

Why Is Barnet Joining a National Movement?

Escalating advocacy from Marie Curie and peers has spotlighted systemic gaps, prompting councils to evolve. Barnet’s swift response reflects responsiveness to both local motions and national momentum.​

This positions the borough at reform’s vanguard, advocating equity in fiscal policy.

In total, Barnet Council’s initiative heralds a humane pivot, blending local leadership with charitable insight to dignify life’s close. With pioneers like Manchester and Barnsley paving ahead, and voices like Cllrs Radford and Stock, alongside Toby North, propelling it, the policy promises respite where it’s direst needed. North London watches as compassion reshapes council tax’s role—not as a burden, but a waived worry.