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It said 'outdated and disproportionate' jail sentences will be scrapped in April.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'The sanction of imprisonment is an outdated and disproportionate response to a civil debt issue.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Finance Officer - 12 month Fixed Term Contract

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Finance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 to £27,653 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Tutor

Essex County Council
Up to £30377.00 per annum + Pension
TutorPermanent, Part Time£30,377 per annum full time equivalent Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Highway Engineer – Highway Condition Specialist

W.D.M. Limited
£65,000 - £80,000 based on experience
We are looking for a driven and experienced Professional Civil Engineer with a strong background in highways engineering to join our team. Bristol
Recuriter: W.D.M. Limited

Deputy Head of Pensions

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£48,873 - £62,451 dependents on experience
The Pensions Finance team has a variety of work shared in a small team giving the opportunity to get involved in every area. The team provides financial and investment support to Wandsworth Council’s £3bn pension fund, the Southwest Middlesex Cremato Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Adults Social Worker - Forensic Mental Health

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum + Flexible Working
This position is open to Newly Qualified Social Worker's (NQSW) with relevant experience in Mental Health. The starting salary for NQSW's is £34,902 England, Essex, Wickford
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner