The Council Tax system isn’t working. It’s outdated and unfair, with poorer homes paying disproportionately more than rich ones.
And the way it’s collected isn’t just failing to help people – it’s making things worse for residents and councils.
Almost £7 billion is owed in council tax debt in England and Wales, with over 3 million people summoned to court in the last 2 years alone. And that number is rising.
People already squeezed by the cost of living crisis are being trapped in a debt spiral, unable to pay and with added costs being piled on for every missed bill.
An overdue £100 can quickly snowball into a £400 debt, and can even make someone liable for the entire year’s bill overnight.
At the same time, rule-breaking private bailiff companies are cashing in on the crisis and making massive profits while our communities suffer, adding on stress, fear, and even more debt.
But now we have a chance to change it!
The government is consulting on how council tax debt is collected – and if enough of us respond then we can’t be ignored.
👉 Please follow this link to complete the consultation. You can use our pre-written responses to help you, but be sure to share your own views and experiences to make the response count!