YOUNG people leaving care will not have to pay any council tax in Oxfordshire under a new scheme.

From April 1, people who have left care homes run by the county council and are between 18 and 21 will not have to pay any council tax.

The council will also make exemptions for people who left care who are between 22 and 25 if their circumstances are particularly hard, but they will need a note from a social worker to justify the discount.

The scheme was approved at Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet on Wednesday.

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Council leader Ian Hudspeth said: "This is a really good proposals for these people who do need as much help as possible."

Oxfordshire County Council had to agree the change because it is responsible for council tax billing arrangements.

It has agreed the scheme with the district councils and Oxford City Council as they are responsible for collecting council tax from households.

Thames Valley Police has also agreed to give back a small amount of money towards the scheme from the funding it is given through council tax.

The government began suggesting councils should cut tax for care leavers in 2016 through a Care Leavers Strategy called 'Keep On Caring'.