At least 1.5 million people were summoned to court over unpaid council tax in 2024/25, according to a GMB investigation — with the true figure likely to be significantly higher.
The union sent freedom of information requests to all British councils responsible for collecting council tax, with nearly 200 responding within the statutory deadline. Those responses revealed 1,430,726 court summonses were issued in the last financial year alone.
The investigation also found that at least 4.6 million accounts are in arrears, over 3.2 million have had debt management proceedings launched against them, and councils are collectively owed at least £4.6bn in unpaid tax.
GMB National Secretary Rachel Harrison described the figures as ‘horrifying,’ saying the council tax system is ‘completely broken’ and calling for central government funding reform, an overhaul of the banding system, and changes to business rates.
The findings are being presented at GMB's annual congress in Blackpool today.
The Government announced in April changes to council tax administration in England, giving households more time to settle arrears and requiring councils to work with residents on repayment plans.
