More than 50,000 people were taken to court over unpaid council tax debt in Greater Manchester last year, according to new figures described as 'horrifying' by the GMB union.
Over £132 Million in Arrears
Figures obtained from five councils in the region show that more than 100,000 people's accounts were in arrears, totalling over £132 million. A total of 112,522 people had debt management proceedings brought against them, while almost 51,957 were taken to court.
The data from the last financial year was obtained through freedom of information requests by the GMB union. The union notes that the figures are likely higher, as some councils did not respond. The results will be discussed at the union's annual congress in Blackpool today.
Council-by-Council Breakdown
Of the ten Greater Manchester local authorities, five responded. Bolton Council was owed the most at £37.98 million, initiating debt management proceedings against 27,548 people and taking 6,934 to court. Rochdale Council, owed £26.4 million, took the most people to court at 16,392. Tameside, owed £11.7 million, took 14,923 to court, while Stockport and Bury took 7,631 and 6,077 respectively.
Across the North West, over £589 million is owed to councils, with more than 480,000 accounts in arrears and over a quarter of a million people facing debt management proceedings.
Union Calls for Reform
GMB National Secretary Rachel Harrison said: 'Not only is the banding system woefully out of date, but forcing cash-strapped councils to pursue 175,000 people through the courts just to make ends meet can't be the right way to do business.'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 to regenerate our high streets.'
Full List of Figures from Greater Manchester Councils
- Rochdale: Total owed £26,419,851.69; accounts in arrears 22,037; debt management proceedings 23,479; court proceedings 16,392.
- Tameside: Total owed £11,745,588.66; accounts in arrears 18,243; debt management proceedings 18,243; court proceedings 14,923.
- Stockport: Total owed £24,956,779.61; accounts in arrears 12,299; debt management proceedings 12,299; court proceedings 7,631.
- Bolton: Total owed £37,987,498.21; accounts in arrears 29,760; debt management proceedings 27,548; court proceedings 6,934.
- Bury: Total owed £31,526,522; accounts in arrears 26,972; debt management proceedings 30,953; court proceedings 6,077.
