Council tax crisis as 1.5m in court action over unpaid bills

The findings, released by the GMB union, suggest at least 1.4 million court summonses were issued by 200 local authorities across Britain during the 2024/25 financial year.

However, the true figure could be even higher because not every council responded to Freedom of Information requests submitted by the union.

The figures have reignited concerns about the growing pressure facing households as council tax bills continue to rise across the country.

Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, described the findings as evidence that the current council tax system is no longer fit for purpose.

“These horrifying figures show our council tax system is completely broken,” she said.

The union argues that councils are increasingly relying on enforcement action to recover money as they struggle with stretched budgets and rising costs.

Ms Harrison said: “Not only is the banding system woefully out of date, but forcing cash-strapped councils to pursue one-and-a-half million people through the courts just to make ends meet can’t be the right way to do business.”

The warning comes as many households continue to face financial pressures from rising living costs, housing expenses and higher utility bills.

The GMB says years of underfunding have left councils with little choice but to take tougher action against residents who fall behind on payments.

“Austerity left deep scars on all our public services, which will last a generation or more,” Ms Harrison said.

She added that funding pressures also affect the workers who deliver essential local services.

“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.”

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The union is calling for major reforms, including changes to council tax and business rates, alongside increased support from central government.

Ms Harrison said: “To fix all this, we need more guaranteed central government funding, progress on council tax reform so the richest pay their share, and changes to business rates so that authorities get more to regenerate our high streets.”

The figures were due to be discussed at the GMB’s annual congress in Blackpool, where delegates are expected to debate the future of council funding and local taxation.