As people struggle to pay their bills, bailiffs are out in Manchester, knocking on doors and demanding that council tax debts are settled. The number of cases referred to enforcement agents by Manchester council almost doubled last year, with bailiffs calling on more than 10,376 households - the equivalent of 28 a day.
It comes as bailiffs deal with the backlog of cases which built up while all debt recovery was suspended by the council between March and September 2020. The council says support is available for those who need it and using bailiffs is a last resort – but campaigners are calling for an end to the 'cruel' practice.
Bailiffs visited Vivian Joseph's home in Hulme back in January 2019 after she failed to pay her council tax on time and 'refused' to respond to some letters. Working as a childminder at the time, she claims the bailiffs 'threatened' to take away the children's toys if she didn't pay.
