The use of bailiffs by local authorities in England and Wales has surged by 30% in just two years, according to new analysis from Debt Justice.
Referrals rose from 1.3 million in 2022/23 to 1.7 million in 2024/25, coinciding with a 10% rise in average Band D council tax bills and growing arrears.
Debt Justice warned that bailiff use is ‘outdated and harmful,’ with fees adding up to £420—soon to rise to £442 under new Government rules.
The Government’s consultation on modernising council tax has been welcomed, but Debt Justice criticised its failure to address councils’ reliance on enforcement.
Dean Burn of Debt Justice urged councils to ‘stop punishing people in debt, help them instead.’
Grace Brownfield, head of debt advice communications at National Debtline, added: ‘Council tax is one of the most common debts we help people with. Councils are under pressure, but passing debts to bailiffs when people are struggling isn’t the answer.
‘We want to see more support to help people pay back what they owe affordably — not more bailiffs at the door.’
Check out: Time to ban the use of bailiffs by Joe Cox, senior policy officer at Debt Justice.
