Council taxpayers in Dudley borough who receive a 25 per cent single person discount on their council tax bills are being asked to confirm if they are still entitled to the reduction.

Dudley Council regularly writes to households in receipt of the single person discount asking them to confirm if they still qualify and a letter was sent with council tax bills issued in March/April this year.

Reminder letters are currently being sent to more than 20,000 taxpayers, with people asked to respond online or return the enclosed form via post within 14 days

If no response is received, the reduction will be removed and a revised bill issued. Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for finance, said:

"We want to ensure the single person discount is awarded to those who are entitled to it so regularly carry out a review with all households who receive it.

"Please respond as soon as possible if you receive this follow-up letter, either to confirm you are still entitled to the discount or to let us know that your circumstances have changed and you need to cancel it, in which case a new council tax bill will be issued - people can either respond online or return the enclosed form by post."

The single person council tax discount of 25 per cent is available to households with just one adult living there. Currently, 46,000 households in the borough receive the reduction.