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New analysis from campaign group Debt Justice has found that Tower Hamlets council are among the top users of bailiffs for local authority debt collection.
Their analysis of national Stop the Knock data found that, in 2022-23, Tower Hamlets used bailiffs 33,823 times, ranking among the 20 highest in the country.[1] Even per capita, they remained in the top 10% of local authorities.[2]
This comes amid concerns that Tower Hamlets residents are among the most at risk of being overindebted nationally. The Money and Pension Service found 29.2% of residents may need debt advice—the second highest rate nationally.[3]
Campaigners have raised concerns over council tax debt collection, with Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis likening some practices to loan sharks.
On 10 April 2025 at 12pm, Tower Hamlets activists will hold the first in a series of open meetings for their new Ban the Bailiffs campaign, aiming to challenge this outdated practice.
The Unfair Debt Group, supported by Debt justice, will host their first community meeting at Ogilvie Community Hall, Stepney Causeway.
Campaigners from the East London Unfair Debt Group will be calling for a ban on bailiffs in the borough. This follows the group’s 2024 petition urging the council to end bailiff use.
Kay, a Tower Hamlet Resident and member of the Unfair Debt Group said:
“Bailiffs turn a challenging situation into a living nightmare. They are a false economy and benefit no one but the bailiff companies who make a profit at the expense of those in debt.”
Richard Dunbar, Lead Organiser for Debt Justice, said:
“People who might be affected by council tax debt should come along to one or more of our public meetings. The use of bailiffs to collect debt is a cruel and outdated practice that makes Tower Hamlets poorer. It makes no economic sense.
We have heard countless stories of how people from across Tower Hamlets have been threatened and intimidated in pursuit of council tax debt. There are more ethical and compassionate methods of collection the council could use and we are willing to work with them on this. But first they must commit to a ban on bailiffs”
Notes
If you would be interested in joining this meeting, or any future meetings, please contact Toby Murray on toby@debtjustice.org.uk or 07593263947 for further details. Future meetings of the group will be held throughout the year.
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/
[1] Analysis conducted using Stop the Knock data, collected by the Money Advice Trust and the Centre for Social Justice.
[2] Population level data is from the ONS Mid Year Estimate 2023.
[3] Debt Need data is taken from the Money and Pensions Service 2023 survey.
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