YORK’S city leaders have collected nearly quarter of a million pounds extra in council tax, after a crackdown on incorrect claims.

A review of people claiming the single person discount on their tax resulted in £237,000 extra income for the council.

The review matched claimants’ records with credit references, to check claims were correct.

Richard Moore, the council’s executive member for corporate services, said: “Incorrect claims for single person discount reduce the council’s income and can make council tax more expensive for everyone.”