A review is under way to make sure that everyone in Stevenage who is claiming a 25 per cent discount on their council tax is entitled to the lower rate.

The Stevenage Borough Council check is being carried out to catch anyone falsely claiming they are living alone, which allows them to claim the discount. A spokesman said: “These people may not have reported a change in their circumstances and are receiving the discount when they are no longer entitled to it. The review is used to detect those who are claiming a discount that they are no longer eligible for.”

Everyone who receives the discount will be sent a letter asking them to explain their circumstances.

These will then be sent to a local government scanning facility who will process the documents for the council. Anyone who doesn’t respond will lose their discount and may be subject to further investigation.