MORE than 10,000 people will receive letters from Bexley Council in January as a warning of impending cuts to council tax discounts next year.

The previous Council Tax Benefit system has been scrapped by the government and will be replaced by Council Tax Support next year.

This will only have 90% of the previous scheme’s budget.

The government has told local authorities that pensioners should not be hit by the cuts.

Claimants within working age are therefore expected to be affected the most.

Bexley Council has decided to introduce the 10% cuts over three years.

As of April 1 2013 a 5% cut will be implemented, 2014 will see a 10% cut and 2015 a cut of 15%.

It will also be creating a £100,000 hardship fund for people who have extreme difficulty in paying their council tax bill.