1.3 million households are now in council tax arrears due to Covid-19. This is the conclusion drawn by Citizens Advice* and other debt charities based on official data showing overall CTax debt has risen by £500 million during the pandemic.
63% of those falling behind for this reason are key workers.
The charities worry that as Covid-related government support for households comes to an end there could be a resurgence of enforcement procedures involving bailiffs. They are asking (not for the first time) for a change in CTax regulation that stops councils working with people in arrears towards a realistic repayment plan. Currently, they must move to enforcement action as soon as a debt trigger point is passed.
Knowing the difficulties caused to clients by bailiff enforcement, CARBS has always supported the reform which would be good for both residents and our council.
Now the problem is affecting key workers, it adds weight to our campaign for a fair settlement post Covid-19: Key Workers: True Value
** 1.3 million households have fallen behind on council tax due to coronavirus, Citizens Advice, 25/06/20