Around 2,650 of the borough’s least well off residents will receive financial support in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

All residents of working age who are in receipt of council tax support and have a balance to pay will be eligible for up to £200 off their council tax bill.

Recipients of this reduction are currently being notified by the council, and some will have had their overall bill for the year reduced to nothing.

The reduction is funded by the £1.48 million that the council received as part of the Government’s Local Authority Hardship Fund.

Councillor Mark Allison, Merton’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “One of the council’s key goals is to bridge the gap between low-income households and everyone else.

"Covid-19 has hit the finances of many people but, the impact is obviously worse for those who were already financially stretched.

“That’s why we’re going further than most by offering up to £200 off the bills of working-age residents who get support with their council tax.

"We already offer one of the most generous council tax support schemes in the country, and I would encourage anyone whose income has fallen as a result of coronavirus to have a look to see if they can get this help.”

For more information visit merton.gov.uk/CouncilTaxSupport.