Charities call for end to 'cruel' threat of jail for non-payment of council tax
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A group of debt support and mental health organisations has urged the Government to scrap the "cruel and archaic" practice of jailing individuals for not paying council tax in England. The call for reform comes from bodies such as StepChange Debt Charity, Christians Against Poverty, Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, and Money Advice Trust who all signed the letter.
This move aligns with new research from StepChange revealing that 23% of adults are stressed about meeting council tax payments over the next half-year, while 31% are anxious about energy bills. In December 2024, 34% of new StepChange clients liable for council tax had arrears averaging £1,937.
The campaigners demand an end to imprisonment for council tax non-payment in England, critiquing its use as an intimidation tool often targeting vulnerable demographics. The letter said: "Women, single parents, and those living with mental health problems disproportionately bear the brunt of this escalating affordability crisis. We’ve heard from many who, while trying to keep up with council tax, have missed other priority payments, taken on extra borrowing and cut back on essentials.".
“Yet instead of being met with empathy, those who fall behind on council tax face a system which is at best dated – and at worst, dangerous.”. The letter highlights that England is at odds with the rest of the UK. It states: "England is an anomaly as the only country in the UK where the option to commit people to prison for non-payment of council tax remains possible.
