Overview

• Official figures show £6.6 billion in unpaid council tax carried by 1.8 million households across England.
• Under current rules a single missed instalment can trigger liability for the full annual bill and often leads to swift bailiff action.
• A 12-week government consultation proposes longer grace periods before escalation and plans to grant the Enforcement Conduct Board powers to regulate bailiffs.
• Debt charities warn that without broader policy reform arrears will continue to climb and urge greater investment in support schemes and fairer collection practices.
• Local authorities are coupling firm recovery measures with discount schemes, affordable payment plans and advice services for struggling residents.