Vulnerable adults who are starting to make their way in the world on their own have been granted a tax break under a new council initiative.

Harrow Council announced that it would be cancelling council tax bills for six months for young adults leaving social care, with around 150 people expected to benefit in the first year.

Available to every leaver aged 18 to 25, it comes as part of a package designed to ease their transition from a care environment into independent adulthood in employment, training or education.

Cllr Christine Robson, responsible for children, young people and schools at Harrow Council, said: “All our work with our young people is designed to set them up with a fair start in life when they grow up.

“It can be a sudden and abrupt transition for care-leavers. This tax break is will take some of the sting out of that, and increase their chance of a successful, self-reliant and independent future.”

The council explained that young people who have been through the care system are among the most vulnerable in society who have often had to transition to adulthood at an earlier age than their peers.

Cllr Adam Swersky, responsible for finance and commercialisation at Harrow Council, noted how, since tax breaks are hard to come by, he is proud to see this initiative put in place.

He said: “This is one of the very best ways this council can use its money to make a difference for the most vulnerable in our society.

“Government cutbacks mean it’s never been harder for us to give tax breaks – so every penny has to count.

“This is a small investment in that context - but it gives real bang for its buck in our ambition to build a better Harrow for all our residents.”