Lewisham Residents Face £62 Million in Council Tax Debts
A staggering £62 million in council tax debts is owed by residents in Lewisham, raising concerns for local services.
Lewisham, Council Tax, Debt, Bailiffs, London, UK
Lewisham: It’s pretty wild to think that residents in Lewisham owe a whopping £62 million in council tax debts. That’s a lot of money! It’s got people worried about how local services will be funded.
Last year, there were 1.8 million cases sent to court for council tax issues, and that number jumped to 2.1 million this year. That’s a 14% increase! Most of these cases are handled in bulk, so many folks don’t even know what’s happening until it’s too late.
Lewisham is actually sitting at number ten for the most unpaid council tax in the country. The average debt per council is around £997, which is pretty steep. London and the South East are leading the pack with massive debts of £905 million and £786 million, respectively.
More councils are calling in bailiffs to collect these debts, with referrals shooting up by 21% this year. That’s nearly 1.3 million cases! The East Midlands saw the biggest jump, with a 68% increase in sending residents to bailiffs.
Even London isn’t safe, with a 13% rise in bailiff referrals this year compared to last. A survey by Sell House Fast revealed all these numbers, and you can check out their blog for more details.
A spokesperson from Lewisham Council said it’s crucial for residents to pay their council tax. They rely on this money to keep essential services running, like community safety, parks, libraries, and youth services. They’re committed to helping residents manage their payments and recover outstanding debts.