HUNDREDS of single parents across Torbay will benefit from a new scheme to help cut their council tax payments.

Torbay has been the only council in Devon not to offer the same discounts to single parents as it does to couples with children. Now it has decided to level up the payments.

“This will move more families on to a higher level of support,” said Cllr Alan Tyerman (Con, Churston with Galmpton).

A report to a meeting of Torbay council’s cabinet said the change would help to alleviate the cumulative effects of welfare cuts and rising household costs.

The changes will cost the council around £200,000.

Cllr Darren Cowell (Ind, Shiphay) told the meeting: “This is a welcome step forward – another slight improvement to the council tax support scheme we have here in the bay.”

But, he said, the council could still do more to help struggling families, possibly by making support available to more people.

“I urge colleagues and the cabinet to try to move towards an increase in the threshold,” he added. “So we can help even more of our families in Torbay who are suffering financial hardship.”