More than 6,600 Burnley residents taken to court over council tax debt as arrears top £14.6 million

The figures have been revealed as part of a wider investigation by trade union GMB into council tax debt across the North West.

Freedom of Information requests sent to local authorities found that 6,603 people in Burnley were summoned to court during the 2024/25 financial year over unpaid council tax bills.

The investigation also found that a total of £14,608,000 is owed in unpaid council tax in Burnley.

Across the North West, 176,375 people were summoned to court over council tax debt during the same period, while more than £589 million is owed to councils across the region.

The findings are being discussed as part of a local government report presented at GMB's annual congress in Blackpool this week.

GMB National Secretary Rachel Harrison said the figures highlighted growing pressures on both households and local authorities.

She said: “These horrifying figures show our council tax system is completely broken. Not only is the banding system woefully out of date, but forcing cash-strapped councils to pursue 175,000 people through the courts just to make ends meet can't be the right way to do business.

“Austerity left deep scars on all our public services, which will last a generation or more. Meanwhile the lack of authority funding often means low pay for the people we rely on to look after our loved ones, to take our rubbish, to keep our towns and cities running.

“To fix all this, we need more guaranteed central government funding, progress on council tax reform so the richest pay their share and changes to business rates so that authorities get more to regenerate our high streets.”

Responding to the Burnley figures, Councillor Margaret Lishman, Burnley Council's Executive Member for Resources and Performance Management, stressed that legal action is only used as a last resort.

She said: “Council tax income is essential in helping us fund vital local services that residents rely on every day. While we recognise that many households continue to face financial pressures, we also have a responsibility to collect council tax fairly and efficiently on behalf of all residents.

"Taking legal action is always a last resort and only follows repeated attempts to engage with residents who have fallen behind with their payments. We would always encourage anyone experiencing financial difficulties to contact the council as early as possible so that we can discuss their circumstances and help them find a manageable solution."

Coun. Lishman said the council offers a range of support for struggling households, including help through its Crisis and Resilience Fund and access to budgeting, debt management and income maximisation advice.

She also highlighted additional council tax support introduced for eligible households affected by terminal illness, which can reduce a council tax bill to zero where qualifying criteria are met.

“Our priority is to support residents wherever possible, and we are committed to working with people to prevent debts from escalating before enforcement action becomes necessary,” she said.

The council is also urging residents receiving Universal Credit to check whether they are entitled to council tax support, which must be claimed separately and is not automatically included as part of a Universal Credit award.

Residents who are struggling with council tax payments are encouraged to contact Burnley Council as early as possible to discuss the support available.