For more information and interviews contact Toby Murray on +44 (0)300 040 0011
In response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government publishing the government’s response to the modernising and improving the administration of council tax consultation[1], Toby Murray, Policy and Campaigns Manager at Debt Justice, said:
“This consultation shows that people want change to our archaic and disproportionate council tax enforcement system. Public engagement was huge, and 64% of respondents said the system doesn’t work.
“We welcome the real progress that has been promised: people now get 63 days before enforcement begins, bills will be spread over 12 months not 10, and councils will have to follow set steps before chasing debt. These are meaningful wins for people in debt.
“But we are deeply disappointed that the government has refused to act on some of the worst aspects of this system. People in debt will still face bailiffs at the door, the threat of imprisonment for non-payment remains, and liability order fees of up to £100 will still be piled onto existing arrears. This is persecution of people who are already struggling.”
Amy Taylor, chair of Greater Manchester Money Advice Group, said:
“While this is a promising start, the government needs to understand how detrimental the use of bailiffs is to people who genuinely can’t afford to pay their council tax. Welfare reforms and local authority policies have manufactured a postcode lottery of who gets adequate support and who doesn’t. The government must take this seriously”
Jo Barker-Marsh, member of the Debt Justice Greater Manchester Organising Group, said:
“I’m delighted to see the government taking action on this long-ignored issue. This is a testament to the tireless campaigning of people and activists across the country. This response is a good start, but the government must go further. We must see a total ban on the use of bailiffs by local government and a duty of care implemented that puts the needs of people in debt first and ensures accountability.”
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/modernising-and-improving-the-administration-of-council-tax/outcome/modernising-and-improving-the-administration-of-council-tax-government-response
Notes
Debt Justice (formerly Jubilee Debt Campaign) is a UK charity working to end poverty caused by unjust debt through education, research and campaigning: https://debtjustice.org.uk/
To unsubscribe from receiving press releases please reply UNSUBSCRIBE to this email.
Debt Justice’s Privacy Policy is available at https://debtjustice.org.uk/privacy-policy-2