CARE leavers across Greater Manchester have been handed extra support with their tax bills, but the borough's cohort faces a longer wait. 

Several town halls have increased the age care leavers as exempt from paying council tax to 25, in a bid to help them with independent living.

Council bosses say the option is "under consideration" for the future but it does not form part of immediate plans.

Authorities in Bury, Manchester, Stockport and Trafford have announced in recent months proposals to raise the age to 25 from 21.

It follows calls by the Children’s Society, with the charity saying the move would "give these young people a few valuable years to learn how to manage their finances and have a better chance at avoiding problem debt in the future".

Wigan – along with all town halls across GM – last year set council tax exemption up to the age of 21 for all care leavers, and up to 25 for those in full-time education.

Cllr Jenny Bullen, cabinet member for children and young people at the council, said:  “We are committed to offering support to our care leavers and currently care leavers up to 21 years old are exempt from council tax along with any care leaver who is in further education or training but we are looking at increasing the council tax exemption age up to 25 in the future.

“Care leavers are among the most vulnerable groups in our community but also have many individual skills and talents that benefit our communities in many ways and we want to make sure that we support them to make best use of these.

“As corporate parents and through our commitment in The Deal the council wants to ensure that young people’s experiences of leaving care and moving into independent living are positive and improve their life chances – just as any parent does.”