More than 100,000 people across Yorkshire taken to court over council tax
This is likely to be the tip of the iceberg as only York, North Yorkshire, the East Riding, Hull, Leeds and Rotherham responded.
More than 100,000 people were taken to court over unpaid council tax debt in Yorkshire and the Humber last year, an investigation by GMB has found.
The union sent a freedom of information request to all local authorities in the region with responsibility for collecting council tax.
It found that some 105,839 people were summoned to court throughout the 2024-25 financial year.
However, this is just likely to be the tip of the iceberg as only York, North Yorkshire, the East Riding, Hull, Leeds and Rotherham responded.
Councils have been notorious for using bailiffs to pursue minor arrears, as they can demand an entire year of council tax just two weeks after people miss one monthly payment.
Consumer champion Martin Lewis said: “Council tax debt collection is so aggressive it’d make banks blush.
“It’s the most vicious and damaging form of legal debt collection out there – causing counterproductive misery for millions.”
GMB also found that at least 262,000 accounts across the region are in council tax arrears, while some 150,888 accounts have had debt management proceedings launched against them.
This means more than £250m is owed to Yorkshire and the Humber councils in unpaid council tax.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: “These horrifying figures show our council tax system is completely broken
“Not only is the banding system woefully out of date, but forcing cash-strapped councils to pursue 100,000 people through the courts just to make ends meet can’t be the right way to do business.
“Austerity left deep scars on all our public services, which will last a generation or more.
“Meanwhile the lack of authority funding often means low pay for the people we rely on to look after our loved ones, to take our rubbish, to keep our towns and cities running.
“To fix all this, we need more guaranteed central government funding, progress on council tax reform so the richest pay their share and changes to business rates so that authorities get more regenerate our high streets.”
The findings are set to be discussed at the GMB conference in Blackpool today as part of a special local government report.
Earlier in the year, the Government announced that households will get more time to pay overdue council tax bills, following a campaign from Leeds-based charity StepChange.
Under new plans, households will have 63 days, about two months, to settle up, and any admin costs will be capped at £100.
StepChange CEO Vikki Brownridge said: “Being hit with such a large bill at short notice has for too long been a massive hurdle for people attempting to get back on the road to financial stability.
“Changing the timeline escalation from one missed payment to three will positively mean households have more time to engage constructively with their local authority, seek debt advice, and reach affordable arrangements - ultimately giving them more room to repay.”
York Outer MP Luke Charters, a major supporter of StepChange’s campaign, added: “Behind every council tax debt is a human, often someone already dealing with financial stress, illness, caring responsibilities or insecurity at work. They deserve understanding, not punishment.
“Since my election in July 2024, I have worked closely with StepChange, and Martin Lewis’ Charity the MMHPI and others to press for change, because I have seen first-hand how the council tax trap can cause real harm to people’s mental health, wellbeing and financial stability.
“I am proud that a Labour Government is taking action to fix this. This is what compassionate government looks like, recognising when a system is unfair, listening to charities and campaigners, and acting to support people rather than penalise them.”