BAILIFF referrals issued to collect council tax in England and Wales have increased by 30 per cent in just two years, new analysis revealed today.

The research, conducted by Debt Justice campaign group, found that bailiff use increased from 1.3 million referrals for the financial year 2022/23 to 1.7 million referrals for 2024/25.

During this period, the average council tax for a Band D property in England rose by 10 per cent.

Dean Burn, a member of Debt Justice’s Community Organising group, said: “Using bailiffs is an outdated and harmful way to treat people in debt. 

“While bailiff firms profit from the hardship they create, those struggling to keep up with rising bills endure soul destroying stress and extra costs. All while bailiffs return very little to councils. 

“Local councils need to change. Stop punishing people in debt, help them instead.”

Local authorities add up to £420 in bailiff fees if they use them to recover council tax debt.

The government launched a consultation earlier this year on “modernising and improving the administration of council tax,” including debt collection practices. 

But Toby Murray, policy and campaigns manager for Debt Justice, argued that the consultation “explicitly rules out addressing councils’ reliance on bailiffs.”

Campaigners such as community union Acorn have called on the government to explore alternatives to council tax, such as a proportional property tax.

A government spokesperson said: “For too long, people have been forced to live with unmanageable council tax payments and aggressive collection from bailiffs — including the most vulnerable in our society.

“This cannot continue, which is why we have set out plans to create a fairer system for taxpayers and councils as soon as possible.”