Discrimination in the Local Welfare State

R (LL and AU) v Trafford Metropolitan Council [2025] EWHC 2380 (Admin) represents the most comprehensive judicial scrutiny of a local welfare scheme to date. The claimants succeeded on all grounds: Trafford's Council Tax Reduction Scheme was unlawfully adopted, breached the Public Sector Equality Duty, was irrational, and contravened ss.15 and 19 of the Equality Act 2010. Trafford illustrates the broader public law challenges posed by the localisation of council tax support since 2013. Instead of one national benefit, there are now 296 separate means-tested schemes operating across England. With each having its own eligibility criteria and administration, the risks of unlawful, discriminatory, and irrational decision-making are considerable. This case comment argues that Trafford illustrates how the localisation of council tax support generates risks that outweigh its purported benefits and adds further weight to the argument that council tax support should be restored as a national benefit.