For millions of households across England, council tax has long been a quiet source of financial anxiety. A single missed payment can quickly trigger reminder letters, court action, and even bailiff visits within a matter of weeks. Now, after years of criticism from campaigners and consumer groups, the government has announced the most significant changes to council tax debt collection in more than three decades.
Consumer champion Martin Lewis has welcomed the reforms, describing them as an important step toward fixing what he previously called a grotesque system. The changes aim to reduce pressure on struggling households and make the process of falling behind on council tax less punitive.
