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UK Government to Review Aggressive Council Tax Debt Practices After Live TV Push

Chancellor Pat McFadden commits to consultation following Martin Lewis’s campaign on Good Morning Britain, highlighting the impact of media and charity advocacy during the cost-of-living crisis.

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Overview

  • During a live broadcast on Good Morning Britain, financial journalist Martin Lewis pressed Chancellor Pat McFadden on council tax debt collection reforms.
  • McFadden confirmed the government will consult on changes to aggressive debt recovery measures, including rapid annual payment demands for missed monthly bills.
  • Co-host Susanna Reid interrupted the show to celebrate the policy commitment, calling it a win for Lewis’s journalism and the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute’s research.
  • The November 2024 report by the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute warned that harsh council tax collection tactics harm vulnerable individuals and worsen mental health issues.
  • Lewis credited Good Morning Britain’s national platform for amplifying the campaign and securing the government’s commitment to review these practices.