This May, hundreds of councillors across the UK are standing for election. They have the chance to make a real difference to people's lives, and help ease the stress of the cost of living crisis, but only if we make them.

Across the UK £4.4 billion is now owed in council tax back-payments. Council tax debts can pile up fast, if you miss one monthly payment you could become liable for the whole year. At the beginning of the month council tax rates increased across the UK, by as much as five percent in some areas.

On top of this, many councils use bailiffs to collect these debts. A visit from a bailiff is one of the most stressful parts of dealing with debt. The last thing people need in this situation is bullies knocking the door down.

An estimated 1 in 3 bailiffs break the rules. It’s time councils ban the bailiffs.

Some councils have stopped using bailiffs altogether. And there is no evidence that bailiff use increases the amount of debt collected. It’s outdated, wrong and just doesn’t work. 

Right now, we’ve got a chance to make sure your local council stops bailiff use.

We must let our councillors know that their residents want to see an end to bailiff use. Together we can make massive changes to people's well-being.

Thanks for your time.

In solidarity,  
Louie 

P.S. This recent article has more information about the rise of bailiff use in the UK  ‘Pay up, or it trebles’: bailiffs accused of strong-arm tactics in UK | Money | The Guardian