VULNERABLE Isle of Wight residents could get an extra helping hand in paying their council tax bills this year.

On Wednesday, the Isle of Wight Council will decide whether to increase its local council tax support scheme (LCTS) from 65 per cent to 70 per cent as it promised last year.

Under the scheme, some residents only pay 35 per cent of their bill.

It comes as the cost-of-living crisis increases and more and more families are feeling the squeeze.

The LCTS scheme was first introduced ten years ago but the amount of support has reduced, and the council says, debt has increased.

Officers say as those on LCTS struggle to pay the residual level of council tax after the support has been awarded, the authority should further discount the scheme.

To discount the scheme by a further five per cent, would cost the authority nearly £360,000.

Officers warned councillors must have regard to the authority's current financial position when making the decision, as it looks to fill a hole in the budget with savings and reserves.

The final decision will be made at the meeting on Wednesday, ahead of the final budget-setting procedure in February.

In November, the council's executive cabinet members unanimously supported the increase, subject to the full council's approval, if the council could afford it due to the financial pressures the authority was facing.

The exceptional hardship fund is also available to residents in receipt of the LCTS, who are in suffering hardship to receive extra assistance in paying their council tax.