Falklands Hero Dai Pritchard Hails H&F 25% Veterans Tax Discount

Key Points

• Hammersmith & Fulham Council introduces a new 25% council tax discount for Armed Forces veterans, effective for the 2026-27 billing period, to honour the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
• The discount applies to veterans holding a qualifying HM Armed Forces Veterans Card valid before 31 May, limited to households with two or fewer adults.
• Council maintains 100% council tax support for lowest-income residents for another year, one of only three London councils and 34 out of 326 in England to do so since 2013.
• West Kensington resident Dai Pritchard, a Falklands War veteran from the Welsh Guards, welcomed the move, stating it recognises sacrifices made.
• Cllr Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, described the discount as a fitting tribute and reaffirmed commitment to low-income support amid £12m+ cost-of-living aid.
• Council already exempts foster carers and care leavers from council tax; scheme costs £13.9m for 2025/26 (£9.1m council share).
• Additional support includes free home care, ethical debt policy since 2018, and partnerships with over 100 organisations.
• Falklands War hero Dai Pritchard served over a decade in the Army’s Welsh Guards and lost friends in conflicts.
• VE Day 80th anniversary marked with events, including a family fun day in Ravenscourt Park on 10 May 2025.
• Council is a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Review of scheme rejected changes like capital limits or banded income due to negative impacts.
• Professor Hugh Milroy OBE PhD of Veterans Aid welcomed the initiative.
• Major Rudy Vandaele-Kennedy of Coldstream Guards praised recognition of veterans’ sacrifices.
• Historical tie: Normandy Landings planned in the borough in 1944.
• Support extended despite 54% real-terms grant cut since 2010/11.
• Council Leader Stephen Cowan highlighted retention amid funding pressures.
• Reported by various outlets including Hammersmith Today, Local Democracy Reporting Service, and council documents.

fulham/hammersmith/">Hammersmith & Fulham (West London News) January 23, 2026 – Hammersmith & Fulham Council has launched a 25% council tax discount for Armed Forces veterans alongside continued 100% support for its lowest-income residents, a move hailed by Falklands War hero Dai Pritchard as a vital recognition of service sacrifices.

The policy, approved following Cabinet discussions, comes into force for the 2026-27 billing year and marks the borough’s tribute to the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, commemorating the Allied defeat of Nazi oppression.

H&F remains one of few councils maintaining full exemptions since the Government abolished national council tax benefits in 2013, providing up to 100% relief to working-age households on lowest incomes.

What Is the New Veterans’ Discount?

The 25% council tax discount targets Armed Forces veterans residing in Hammersmith & Fulham who possess a qualifying HM Armed Forces Veterans Card valid before 31 May.

Eligibility limits the scheme to households with two or fewer adults, ensuring focused support for those who served.​

As reported by Adrian Zorzut of Hammersmith Today, the initiative celebrates VE Day’s 80th anniversary with a week of events, culminating in a free family fun day at Ravensmith’s Ravenscourt Park on 10 May 2025.

Who Is Falklands War Hero Dai Pritchard?

Dai Pritchard, a West Kensington resident, served over a decade in the Army’s Welsh Guards and fought in the 1982 Falklands War.​

Following the council’s decision, Pritchard stated: “It is wonderful to see H&F honour veterans and recognise the sacrifices of the armed forces on behalf of the country. I feel very lucky to be alive. I lost a lot of friends over the years in conflicts, and it feels fantastic that both we and they are being remembered and not forgotten.”​

Pritchard’s comments underscore the personal impact of the policy on veterans who endured significant losses.​

Why Maintain 100% Support for Low-Income Residents?

Hammersmith & Fulham waives council tax bills entirely for its lowest-income residents for another year, matching only two other London councils while most cap aid at 80-90%.

A comprehensive review by Kirsty Brooksmith, Assistant Director of Benefits, evaluated options like capital limits, non-dependant deductions, and income-banded designs but found they would harm pension-age households and offer no administrative savings.

The scheme costs £13.9 million for 2025/26, with the council funding £9.1 million and the Greater London Authority the balance, budgeted within the Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

Only 34 of 326 English councils retained 100% support post-2013; 2025/26 marks H&F’s 13th consecutive year.​

What Did Cllr Rowan Ree Say?

Cllr Rowan Ree, H&F Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, said: “We remain committed to offering the most help to the lowest income families in our borough. And for our veterans, this tax cut a small but fitting way to honour those who were prepared to pay the ultimate price in defending this country.”​

In a Hammersmith Today article by Adrian Zorzut, Ree added: “Freedom does not come free of charge. This tax cut is a small but fitting way to honour our veterans, who were prepared to pay the ultimate price in defending this country, for which the whole borough is immensely grateful.”

Ree highlighted over £12 million in wider cost-of-living support, including free home care for older and disabled adults and vouchers to more than 830 pensioners.​

Cllr Ree further noted: “We continue to work with more than 100 voluntary and community organisations to reach residents in need as we continue to offer financial support to cover urgent needs such as energy and water bills.”​

At the January Cabinet meeting, as reported by Ben Lynch of Hammersmith Today, Ree expressed pride in the comprehensive scheme, noting four in 10 households receive discounts, including full exemptions for foster carers and care leavers.​

How Does H&F’s Scheme Compare to Others?

Most councils require low-income households to pay 15-30% of bills regardless of circumstances, but H&F provides maximum aid.

In London, 45% use banded income schemes, 55% default schemes like H&F’s, but support varies widely, with lowest at 15%.

The London Standard reported thousands of poorest capital residents face new payments as nearly half of boroughs cut support; Hounslow consults on reductions.​

H&F absorbed a 54% real-terms grant cut (£36m) from 2010/11 to 2024/25 yet expanded services.

Council Leader Stephen Cowan, as per Ben Lynch in Hammersmith Today, stated: “I don’t think there’s a company on Earth in the private sector and many organisations in the public sector who could have a cut like that and still try and do more services and have lower taxes.”​

What Additional Supports Exist?

H&F offers full council tax exemptions to foster carers and care leavers.​

Since 2018, an ethical debt policy prioritises early engagement, flexible repayments, and hardship schemes over enforcement.

Other aids include up to £900 from the Crisis Prevention Fund for Winter Fuel Allowance losses, Pension Credit promotion, and Household Support Fund extensions.

The council uniquely provides free home care and partners with organisations for energy/water bill aid.​

Annual uprating mirrors DWP Housing Benefit changes for transparency.

What Reactions from Veterans’ Community?

Professor Hugh Milroy OBE PhD, chief executive of Veterans Aid, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

“I welcome any initiative to support veterans and I am delighted that Hammersmith and Fulham Council are leading the way with such an initiative.”

Major Rudy Vandaele-Kennedy of the Hammersmith and Fulham-based Coldstream Guards regiment said:

“The veterans in the Hammersmith & Fulham community have given much for the benefit of our country and our people. They have made many sacrifices and done things for the benefit of others and put the needs of others before themselves. This a strong recognition of their service which will be much appreciated by them and will help them as well.”

The council signs the Armed Forces Covenant, pledging support for serving personnel, veterans, and families.

What Is the Historical Context?

The discount ties to VE Day’s 80th anniversary; the borough hosted Normandy Landings planning on 15 May 1944 at St Paul’s School, attended by Eisenhower, King George VI, and Churchill.

In 2022, NATO selected White City for its DIANA headquarters.

Events include Ravenscourt Park festivities.

H&F’s report to Full Council on 22 January 2025 by Cllr Rowan Ree recommends no changes beyond uprating.

This comprehensive policy blend positions Hammersmith & Fulham as a leader in veteran and vulnerable resident support amid fiscal pressures.