The Government's floods recovery minister John Healey has promised families who are still out of their homes after last summer's flooding they will not be hit with council tax bills.

Councils have been able to offer council tax exemptions to households unable to live in their own homes, but these exemptions are only allowed for one year.

In an announcement expected today, Mr Healey will tell councils they can use extra discretionary discounts of up to 100 per cent.

Across Oxfordshire, there are an estimated 231 households still living in temporary accommodation nearly a year after they were forced to leave their homes.

Devastating floods hit the county in July.

The worst hit areas of the county were West Oxford - particularly homes on Osney Island - west Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.

Mr Healey will promise the Government will provide financial support to ensure council taxpayers are not unfairly affected.

The latest figures show that about 4,700 households across the UK are still not fully back home and are living in caravans or other temporary accommodation.

Mr Healey said: "One in six of those still out a month ago is now home.

"But for the most badly affected it will take more time. So it would not be fair for them to pay council tax for homes they can't live in.

"That is why I am pointing out to councils they have the discretion to grant council tax discounts to their flood-hit resident