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2022/23

Research by the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline and Business Debtline, and the Centre for Social Justice shows that local authorities in England and Wales referred 2.7 million debts to bailiffs in 2022/23.

Use the map to select your local authority. If you are a councillor or council officer, read the Money Advice Trust’s six steps for improving debt collection practices and let us know if you are interested in finding out more.

If you need help with debt, seek free advice from National Debtline or Business Debtline.

Get the data Six steps for local authorities Read the Centre for Social Justice report

2022/23


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  • Bailiff Use

    Local authorities referred 2.71 million debts to bailiffs in 2022/23 - broadly unchanged on pre-pandemic levels (2.65 million in 2018/19)

    • decreased since 2018/19
    • no comparison available
    • increased since 2018/19
  • Signposting

    98% of councils signpost residents in financial difficulty to free debt advice.

    • Signposts residents to free debt advice
  • SFS or CFS

    17% of councils told us they had adopted the Standard Financial Statement (SFS) – formerly known as the Common Financial Statement.

    • Has adopted the Standard (or Common) Financial Statement
    • Considering adopting
  • Vulnerability Policy

    48% of councils have a formal policy in place for dealing with residents in vulnerable circumstances.

    • Has a formal vulnerability policy in place
    • Considering adopting
  • Exempt CTS

    Just 10% of councils have a policy of exempting recipients of Council Tax Support (CTS) from bailiff action.

    • Has a policy of exempting Council Tax Support recipients from bailiff action
  • Council Tax Protocol

    31% of councils told us they have adopted the Citizens Advice / LGA Council Tax Protocol.

    • Has adopted the Citizens Advice/LGA Council Tax Protocol
    • Considering adopting
  • Pre-LO steps

    88% of councils take a least one step before seeking a liability order (LO) against a resident for council tax debt. For example, referring to free debt advice, referring to income maximisation support, referring to council tax support scheme, checking whether someone is in vulnerable circumstances, or assessing someone’s income and expenditure.

    • Takes at least one step pre-liability order

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