To: Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

Ban the Bailiffs

Debt Justice
Campaigners outside the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government demanding a ban on bailiffs. Photo credit: Jess Hurd
We call on the government to bring in a ban on Local Authorities using bailiffs to collect council tax debt. 

Why is this important?

When families face unpayable debts, a knock at the door from bailiffs can be hugely traumatising. Instances where bailiffs harass or intimidate people, even when there are children present are all too common and can have a long term impact on mental health. 

Council tax debt is soaring at the moment, and was a result more and more people are being visited by bailiffs. 4.4 million people are currently in council tax debt in the UK, and that's set to increase when council tax goes up by 5% in most places on the 6th April. 

People aren't choosing not to pay, many people simply can't pay, as the cost of living crisis has pushed family budgets to the limit. On top of that you only need to miss one council tax payment, and within two weeks a bill can be issued for the entire year’s payment. What starts as a missed instalment of £190 can become a £2,280 debt at terrifying speed. 

This matters because people are facing fear, harassment and intimidation just for being in debt. 

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