CHARITIES say changes in council tax benefit will lead to a “wave of social problems”.

Involve Yorkshire and Humber, which represents the voluntary and community sector, says nearly 240,000 people from the poorest households will face bills of up to £200.

In a survey of 250 charities carried out by the organization, the majority of respondents said council tax benefit changes would have a greater impact on communities than any other welfare reform.

The Government has stopped its national council tax benefit scheme and local councils must now run their own schemes from April.

The new schemes will have 90 per cent of the funds previously spent on council tax benefit and will only affect working-age households.

Some households previously exempt from paying council tax will now face bills of up to £200.

In York, residents will be asked to pay 30 per cent of the full bill. For those living in the cheapest properties in York, this will mean an annual bill of £211.

Involve, which deals with more than 15,000 voluntary and community organizations in Yorkshire and the Humber, says charities fear debt and homelessness could spiral as squeezed households struggle to meet the new costs.

Trustee Mark Gamsu, said: "The clear message from charities across Yorkshire and Humber is that homelessness, use of food banks and debt are already going up. If you take more out of people’s pockets it will inevitably get worse.”