Mark Whitehead 05 November 2018

Threat of prison over unpaid council tax ends in Wales

People will no longer be sent to prison for failing to pay their council tax, the Welsh government has announced.

It said 'outdated and disproportionate' jail sentences will be scrapped in April.

Finance cecretary Mark Drakeford said he would consider new measures to deal with people refusing to pay.

At least 62 people were jailed in England and Wales in 2016-17 over the issue – a third of them from Wales.

From 1 April next year, Mr Drakeford said it will 'no longer be possible to start proceedings to commit an individual to prison for council tax debt.'

He said: 'The payment of council tax is vital to maintaining the local services which we all rely upon every day.

'However, it is also right that those who are less able to contribute are treated fairly and with dignity.

'The sanction of imprisonment is an outdated and disproportionate response to a civil debt issue.'

Banning urban pesticide use image

Banning urban pesticide use

RSPB and PAN are working on a letter from local councillors calling on the Government to introduce a national ban on urban pesticide use. Find out more below.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Competitive
This is a BIG opportunity and a BIG year for Stockport. Stockport, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Head of Transport Strategy & Road Safety

Warwickshire County Council
£76,594 - £84,443 per annum
We have a unique opportunity for you to shape, influence and create a better future for Warwickshire Warwickshire
Recuriter: Warwickshire County Council

Head of Trading Standards & Community Safety

Warwickshire County Council
£76,594 - £84,443 per annum
It’s an exciting time to join our Trading Standards & Community Safety team. Warwickshire
Recuriter: Warwickshire County Council

Transport Development Officer OCC615931

Oxfordshire County Council
£35,745 - £38,223 per annum
You will support senior colleagues in providing the highways and transport input to strategic development proposals. Oxfordshire
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Property Strategy and Major Projects Manager

West Northamptonshire Council
£52194 - £55943
West Northamptonshire Council is currently seeking to appoint theProperty Strategy and Major Projects Manager into its Property Strategy and Estates team. The Property Strategy and Major Projects Manager will have the opportunity to work on an extremely d Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.