Consumer champion Martin Lewis has issued a stark warning to the nation's army of unpaid carers, revealing a widespread 'scandal' that could be costing millions of people crucial financial support.
Spot Checks Reveal Widespread Errors
The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com disclosed that his team has conducted 'spot checks' on local council websites across the UK regarding the Carers Council Tax Discount. This scheme offers a reduction of 25% or even 50% on council tax bills for individuals providing more than 35 hours of weekly care for someone who is not their spouse or child under 18.
Lewis stated that the investigation, covering 69 councils, found alarmingly inaccurate information. At least one in five council websites provided incorrect details about the eligible benefits of the person being cared for, often omitting commonly claimed allowances.
A 'Backbone' of the Country Missing Out
Lewis emphasised the scale and importance of the issue, highlighting that up to five million people in the UK act as unpaid carers. He described them as "the backbone of our country" and "an army of people" who significantly reduce the burden on the NHS and state finances.
Despite their critical role, many are being failed by outdated and incorrect official guidance. Lewis revealed that a further one in five councils provided no information at all on their websites, and the crucial details were also absent from the central Gov.uk portal.
Outdated Rules from 2013 Cause Chaos
The Money Saving Expert pinpointed the likely root of the problem: a rule change in 2013 that has not been reflected on council websites. "This is 2026 in case you've forgot," Lewis remarked, branding the situation a "scandal."
He issued a direct and urgent warning to carers: "If you are a carer and you checked whether you're entitled to this discount on your council's website, don't trust it." He urged people to instead consult the accurate lists provided by Carers UK or MoneySavingExpert.com.
Lewis confirmed his organisation is taking action, writing to every council with missing or wrong information and pressing the government to explain why correct guidance is not available on Gov.uk. The call to action is clear for carers: check your eligibility using the correct resources, as you may be owed a significant council tax discount.
