Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to issue guidance to local authorities on exercising discretion and avoiding enforcement action that could cause (a) severe financial hardship and (b) the forced sale of a family home.

Councils are responsible for the collection of a broad range of debts. Councils are required to recover all debts in accordance with the law. The government will continue to keep this issue under review.