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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Citizens Advice statistics show extent of council tax problems
May 11, 2009 12:00 AM
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Local Government, Peter Black, has used figures from the Citizens Advice Bureau to show how much families can struggle with council tax.
The figures, contained in a recent consultation response to the Welsh Assembly Government, show that the Citizens Advice Bureau receives more enquiries about council tax arrears than any other debt problems, including mortgage and secured loan arrears. The Citizens Advice Bureau in Wales received an average of 538 calls every month from people with council tax arrears, compared to 436 calls about mortgage arrears or 319 calls about jobseekers allowance.
Earlier this year research by the Liberal Democrats showed that 600,000 in England and Wales had bailiffs called to them by councils for non-payment of council tax and filed for bankruptcy against 1,700 people.
Peter Black said:
"Having a council tax system that isn't based on the ability to pay will always result in some people struggling with their bills. They have also informed me that, while current statistics are not available, requests for advice so far this year is increasing. Clearly people are struggling because of such an unfair system which penalises those on low incomes."
"The current economic climate is yet another reason to switch to a local income tax based on the ability to pay. If someone loses their job, their income falls drastically and this should be reflected on their council tax bills. Chasing those who cannot afford to pay costs Councils money, and causes considerable stress for those involved."
"This is also further evidence of the importance of independent advice services. Services such as the Citizen's Advice Bureau are invaluable in helping people in financial trouble as often they are able to prevent the situation from deteriorating."
ENDS
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