Martin Lewis Condemns Aggressive Council Tax Collection Tactics

Consumer advocate Martin Lewis criticizes local authorities for harsh debt collection practices that disproportionately harm vulnerable residents with mental health issues.

• Lewis's charity reveals that two million UK residents with mental health problems are trapped by punitive council tax collection methods.
• Missed payments can escalate rapidly, leading to demands for full annual bills and potential bailiff action within weeks.
• Lewis compares council tactics to loan shark behavior, highlighting the psychological and financial distress caused.
• The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute calls for regulatory changes to align council debt collection with fairer consumer credit practices.
• Local Government Association acknowledges the issue but cites budget constraints and increasing demands on council tax support.

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