Earlier this year the vast majority of town halls, which are also struggling to balance the books after many years of austerity, hiked council tax by the maximum 5%
Bailiff referrals for unpaid council tax have surged by a staggering 30% in two years, according to a new analysis.
Campaigners, who have raised the alarm over council tax arrears, say the use of bailiffs is an “outdated and harmful way to treat people in debt”. Earlier this year the vast majority of town halls, which are also struggling to balance the books after years of austerity, hiked council tax by the maximum 5%.
Previous data collected by Money Advice Trust showed there were 1.7million bailiff referrals for unpaid council tax in the financial year 2024-2025. According to analysis by the Debt Justice campaign group, this a massive 30% increase in two years when there were 1.3million referrals.
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Campaigners have previously warned the total council tax debt of struggling households stands at a staggering £6.6billion in England. When a bailiff visits a property, a local authority can also add the bailiffs’ costs on to the amount owed by a resident to the council. Debt campaigners are calling for a more sympathetic approach to those in arrears – rather than being chased with a knock at the door by bailiffs.
Dean Burn, of Debt Justice, said: “Using bailiffs is an outdated and harmful way to treat people in debt. While bailiff firms profit from the hardship they create, those struggling to keep up with rising bills endure soul destroying stress and extra costs. All while bailiffs return very little to councils. Local councils need to change. Stop punishing people in debt, help them instead.”
Campaigns manager Toby Murray added: “While the government’s consultation on council tax debt reform is welcome, it explicitly rules out addressing councils’ reliance on bailiffs. The government must put the needs of people in debt first and ban bailiffs once and for all.”
Grace Brownfield, Head of Debt Advice Communications at National Debtline, added: “Council tax is one of the most common debts we help people with. Councils are under pressure, but passing debts to bailiffs when people are struggling isn’t the answer. We want to see more support to help people pay back what they owe affordably — not more bailiffs at the door.”
A government spokesperson said: “For too long, people have been forced to live with unmanageable council tax payments and aggressive collection from bailiffs – including the most vulnerable in our society.
“This cannot continue, which is why we have set out plans to create a fairer system for taxpayers and councils as soon as possible.”
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