CARE leavers won’t have to pay council tax until they reach 25 in new plans to support vulnerable people for longer despite squeezing budgets.

Oldham’s cabinet agreed to extend a 100 per cent discount to young residents who had previously been looked after by the authority by a further five years.

They are following the lead set by other Greater Manchester authorities including Bury, Manchester, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford.

The move is designed to help young people who had difficult starts in life better adapt to the world outside of the care system.

Cllr Abdul Jabbar, deputy council leader, told the meeting: “We believe this is the right thing to do despite the fact that we’re going to foot the bill.

“We want to give them all the support possible to make sure they start an independent life.

“This is despite the government actually taking away more than £7 million from our business support grant.

“We’ve seen in the past that people have left care then unfortunately because of all kind of issues, primarily financial issues they’ve ended up needing more support from the local authority and other agencies.”

Cllr Arooj Shah, cabinet member for neighbourhood service, said the authority was going to "step up to do what’s right" for care leavers in the borough.

“The whole point of this is about helping those who are really vulnerable and exposed and being penalised by the current government,” she added.

The town hall has previously agreed to lobby government for further support for care leavers by ensuring they get free prescriptions until the age of 25.

Currently, youngsters who leave care and are receiving benefits can get free prescriptions as part of the national exemption criteria.

A local authority now continues to have responsibility for a care leaver up to the age of 25 years old.

Cllr Paul Jacques, cabinet member for education, added: “I’m delighted that this council has decided to really support young care leavers in terms of rate relief.”