A SCHEME giving the most low-income households in Wales money off their council tax will continue in the next financial year, it has been announced.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, the Welsh Government will announce funding levels for the 22 local authorities in Wales for 2018-2019, with some warning big council tax increases could be on the cards as a result.

But today, Monday, finance secretary Mark Drakeford announced the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, through which almost 300,000 households were given money off their rates, 220,000 paying no tax at all, this year, will continue next year.

Saying the scheme had "made a real difference to thousands of households right across Wales", Mr Drakeford said: "Low-income families in England are now paying on average £191 a year more in council tax than they would have if council tax benefit were still in place.

"We’re ensuring, even within the financial constraints placed on us, that local authorities in Wales will continue to be shielded from the costs faced by councils in England and those households which need the most support continue to receive it."