Council tax and business rates will be deferred until June for those who need it.

Wiltshire Council has confirmed that struggling residents and businesses will not have to pay council tax or business rates until June 2020.

Residents looking to defer payments in April and May, instead of the normal schedule payment break in February and March, can contact the council to make arrangements.

Similarly, businesses who wish to defer business rates payments during April and May can arrange this by contacting the council.

Cllr Philip Whitehead, leader of Wiltshire Council said: “We hope during this uncertain and difficult time this will help people and ease the pressure.

“We’re all in this together and I’ve been so impressed by the response of our communities, and we’ll continue to do what we can to provide support and reassurance.”

Anyone choosing to defer, payments will resume in June 2020 and will be taken over the 10 months from June 2020 to March 2021.

The council will freeze direct debits, so people do not need to contact their banks.

Working-age residents who benefit from the current Council Tax Support Scheme will receive an additional reduction to their bill in line with the government’s hardship fund criteria.

Those households eligible for this reduction will automatically be re-billed.

Those who make manual payments can continue if they wish, but they will need to contact the council if they want the payment break.

People should call 0300 456 0109 or email counciltax@wiltshire.gov.uk to request the deferral.