Councils face a 'truly formidable challenge' in delivering localised council tax benefit (CTB) schemes covering nearly six million people, public finance experts have reported.

Analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) – commissioned on behalf of anti-poverty charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation – found the £500m cash-funding cut due to be implemented when CTB is devolved to councils from next year would most affect areas of deprivation, where spending on the benefit is highest.