WYCHAVON District Council is owed over £7 million in council tax arrears due to unmade payments stacking up since 1993, new data released on Wednesday (June 25) has revealed.
Constituents in Wychavon owe the council a combined total of just over £7 million (£7.087m) in unpaid council tax bills, according to figures released by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Goverment.
Wychavon achieved a 97 per cent collection rate for annual council tax last year, while their remaining arrears form part of a national total of £6.6 billion.
Alice Mason, head of financial services for Wychavon, said, “We continue to play a vital role in collecting more than £114 million in council tax during the last financial year (2024/2025).
“While we acknowledge £7 million in arrears has accumulated since 2013 across all five organisations, half of that figure relates to arrears from the last financial year, where we have arranged flexible payment options for some residents to help them pay their amount due.”
Recent Money Advice Trust research also reveals as of March 2025, 2.2 million people in England (5 per cent) were behind on their council tax bill, suggesting many more people could be struggling with council tax arrears who have not yet sought help.
National Debtline, a financial support charity, is now calling for improved collection practices as well as greater investment in council tax support schemes to prevent people falling behind to begin with.
Steve Vaid, chief executive at Money Advice Trust, who run the National Debtline, said: “Unwaveringly high arrears levels in Wychavon and across England underline the need for urgent action.
“Councils have a vital role in helping residents with unmanageable bills and to ensure council tax – crucial to funding local services – is collected in a way that is fair and affordable.”
Current rules mean households can become liable for their full annual council tax bill if they miss one payment, which often results in a quick escalation to bailiff action.
Last week, the Government set out proposals to extend this period, so people have more time to engage and seek support – something National Debtline has welcomed, after years of campaigning for this change.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Justice also announced plans to consult on giving the Enforcement Conduct Board legal powers to regulate the bailiff industry, with millions of council tax debts passed to bailiffs every year.
National Debtline strongly welcomes these developments after a decade of campaigning for independent bailiff regulation and for changes to the archaic council tax collection process.
The charity says progress in this area will help reduce financial hardship, bring down arrears and make a big difference to households struggling to keep up with their bills.
Wychavon has shared its commitment to addressing this challenge and said it recognises residents may face challenges in meeting financial obligations. The council offers a range of support options.
Contact Wychavon via www.wychavon.gov.uk/council-tax to schedule an appointment to discuss your council tax.
Individuals on low income are encouraged to visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/benefits/new-benefits-claims/council-tax-support to apply for council tax support.
Visit www.nationaldebtline.org or call 0808 808 4000 for free, independent, expert debt advice.
