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Council tax arrears “now major debt problem for Britons” (27 May 2014)

Date: 27/05/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Council tax arrears “now major debt problem for Britons”

Citizen’s Advice has said that council tax debt has escalated to become the most common debt problem it has to deal with.

Between January and March 2014, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) advised 27,000 people who had fallen into council tax arrears – a 17% increase on the figures for the same period in 2013.

The government introduced changes to council tax in April 2013 as part of its welfare reforms.

The so-called bedroom tax was part of those reforms, under which those in receipt of housing benefit had their benefit reduced if they had a spare bedroom.

Council tax benefit was also renamed council tax support and the scheme was passed from central government to local councils, with a £414 million reduction in the overall fund.

As a result, council tax support has become a postcode lottery with levels of support set by individual councils.

CAB says that one-fifth of those who approach the charity for help with debt have council tax arrears.

CAB is calling for local authorities to target council tax support at those who are most in need financially, including families.

Non-payment of council tax is a civil offence, which is dealt with in a magistrates’ court if a local authority takes action to recover council tax arrears.

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