Citizens Advice highlights council tax debt concerns

The nationwide charity Citizens Advice has highlighted some of its concerns surrounding the rising prevalence of council tax-related debt management issues.

During 2006, the number of British consumers who approached the Citizens Advice for advice about how to deal with council tax debts increased by a full 46 per cent, according to the organisation’s own figures.

And with this in mind, the charity has welcomed a recent government committee report calling for steps to be taken to alleviate some of the debt management problems that are arising around the country.

Citizens Advice social policy officer Tony Herbert said: “We are seeing many more people struggling to afford council tax bills, so this report is very timely.”

“We strongly support the committee’s recommendations, which would go a long way to addressing problems relating to both affordability and the barriers to boosting take-up and we urge the government to act swiftly on these.”

Earlier this year, Citizens Advice warned that more and more consumers are approaching its staff for debt advice.