Councils miss out on millions in unpaid tax

DEBT CHARITY SAYS ARREARS WILL KEEP CLIMBING AS PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH 'UNMANAGEABLE BILLS'

- 

Recent research by the Money Advice Trust, the charity which runs National Debtline, found that, as of March this year, 2.2 million people in England were behind on their council tax bill, suggesting that many more could be struggling with council tax arrears who have not yet sought help.

COUNCIL tax arrears owed to councils in Kent now run into tens of millions, according to figures released last week by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Arrears owed to Tonbridge and Malling Council total £10.3 million and in Tunbridge Wells the figure is £8.2 million.

Across the nation, the total council tax arrears total £6.6 billion.

The figures are significant, indicating the impact that continuing cost-of-living pressures have had in escalating arrears levels.

Charity National Debtline has warned that more people are struggling with “unmanageable bills”.