At least 239,000 people across the West Midlands were taken to court over unpaid council tax debt last year, according to an investigation by the GMB union. The figures have been described as 'horrifying' by union officials.
Investigation Findings
The GMB sent freedom of information requests to all local authorities in the region responsible for collecting council tax. The results showed that 239,116 individuals were summoned to court in the financial year 2024/25.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: 'These horrifying figures show our council tax system is completely broken. Not only is the banding system woefully out of date, but forcing cash-strapped councils to pursue 240,000 people through the courts just to make ends meet can't be the right way to do business.'
She added: '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.'
Further Statistics
Other results from the investigation include:
- 182,736 accounts are in council tax arrears
- 154,807 accounts have had debt management proceedings launched against them
- More than £490 million is owed to West Midlands councils in unpaid council tax
The union is calling for more guaranteed central government funding, progress on council tax reform so the richest pay their share, and changes to Business Rates so that authorities can regenerate high streets.
