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UK Proposes Overhaul of Council Tax Billing and Debt Recovery

A 12-week consultation invites feedback on shifting payments to 12 monthly instalments alongside stronger protections against aggressive recovery tactics

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Overview

  • Under the proposals households would automatically pay council tax over 12 months, cutting average band D instalments by about £38 each month
  • New rules would lengthen the period before councils can demand an annual sum or deploy bailiffs after missed payments
  • The government is seeking views on simplifying the process for challenging council tax bands and improving billing transparency
  • Officials plan to rename the “severe mental impairment” discount to “significant cognitive impairment” to update eligibility criteria
  • Martin Lewis and charities such as the Money Advice Trust have praised the reforms as a vital step for easing pressures on vulnerable households