WIREDGOV

Cllr Claire Kober, Chair of the Local Government Association's Resources Board, responded to the Money Advice Trust's report on council use of bailiffs.

"Reduced government funding for council tax support has left councils needing to find £1 billion by 2016 to protect discounts for those on low incomes. Many are facing an unpalatable choice between charging the working-age poor or low income families, who may have never paid council tax before, or finding additional savings to spending on local services to meet the shortfall.

"No council wants to ask those on the lowest incomes to pay more. But also faced with a 40 per cent cut to core government funding to run local services over the past five years, many have had little choice but to reduce council tax discounts.

"Councils have a duty to their residents to collect taxes so important services like caring for the elderly, collecting bins and fixing roads are not affected. But we realise that times are tough and will always seek to take a sympathetic and constructive approach.

"Bailiffs are only ever used as a last resort by councils. Before the situation reaches a stage where bailiffs are involved several letters will have been written, people will have been encouraged to apply for financial support, and efforts will be made to arrange new payment plans or to attach the debt to a salary.

"Anyone having trouble paying their council bills should get in touch with their local authority for financial help and advice."

View report: http://www.stoptheknock.org/stop_the_knock_2015_report.pdf