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Martin Lewis' council tax shake-up sees most vulnerable taxpayers protected
Households will get 63 days to clear missed bills as councils must adopt repayment plans and cap admin and enforcement fees at £100.
- On Wednesday, April 15, the government confirmed major reforms to English Council Tax administration, shifting payment defaults to 12 months and capping enforcement fees at £100.
- Local Government Secretary Steve Reed confirmed the changes after the old system allowed councils to demand full annual payment within 21 days of a single missed installment, leaving families in financial distress.
- Households will now receive 63 days to settle missed bills, a shift MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis called a "huge first step," noting the previous system's debt collection was "so aggressive it'd make banks blush."
- Minister for Local Government Alison McGovern said the reforms will "cut through the complexity and make sure that council tax is fit for the 21st century," supporting vulnerable families previously unable to access help.
- Data shows 87 percent of councils used enforcement powers against arrears, affecting around 6.2 million Brits, while the government also plans to update Severely Mentally Impaired discount definitions to eliminate stigma.
48 Articles
48 Articles
Martin Lewis ‘genuinely moved’ as Labour unveils change to ‘vicious’ council tax debt collection
Labour has unveiled sweeping changes to England’s Council Tax system, introducing reforms aimed at easing pressure on households struggling with debt collection practices.Ministers confirmed the measures will take effect from April 2027 following an 18-month campaign led by Martin Lewis and his organisations, MoneySavingExpert.com and the money and mental health policy institute.Mr Lewis said: "Council Tax debt collection is so aggressive it'd m…
Martin Lewis Blasts 'Grotesque' Council Tax System — What The Biggest Reform In 30 Years Means For You
For millions of households across England, council tax has long been a quiet source of financial anxiety. A single missed payment can quickly trigger reminder letters, court action, and even bailiff visits within a matter of weeks. Now, after years of criticism from campaigners and consumer groups, the government has announced the most significant changes to council tax debt collection in more than three decades. Consumer champion Martin Lewis h…
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