YOUNG people leaving care in Blaenau Gwent will no longer have to pay council tax.

Blaenau Gwent council becomes the latest Welsh authority to approve the exemption for care leavers aged 18 to 25.

The proposals approved by councillors on Wednesday will come into effect immediately, with council tax payments backdated to April 1 for those eligible.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the council said: “Care leavers can find managing their own budgets extremely challenging, leaving them at risk of falling into debt, often without the family support and wider networks that most other young people can rely on.

“As a corporate parent, Blaenau Gwent council wants to do as much as possible to support care leavers up to the age of 25 years.

“By granting discretionary relief from council tax, the council will be providing practical help and financial assistance to care leavers whilst they are developing independent lives and their life skills.”

A report says there are 20 people living in the county borough that are eligible for discretionary relief from the council.

Currently the council is providing support for 12 of those care leavers through the council tax reduction scheme.

Introducing the scheme is expected to cost the council around £5,500 for the current financial year.

Torfaen council was the first authority in Wales to approve the scheme, with Caerphilly and Monmouthshire councils also onboard.

READ MORE: Monmouthshire council’s tax exemption for care leavers policy

Both authorities have agreed to apply the exemption for those leaving another council’s care to live in their respective authorities.

The Welsh Local Government Association has approached the Welsh Government requesting that they establish a legislative exemption for care leavers.

But such changes on a national level would not cover the current financial year, a council report said.