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Older people might have to wait months for the £100 contributions towards their council tax bills promised in last month's budget, it has emerged.

Admitting that a "legislative basis" was needed to make the payments to households with someone aged over 70, a Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson insisted the scheme would start "as soon as practicably possible".

Rodney Bickerstaffe, president of the National Pensioners Convention, said the delay would "cause a problem for many older people".