Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent discussions he has had with local authorities on the steps being taken in the event that residents do not pay their council tax prior to the escalation of that matter through the courts.

Local councils follow well established processes to collect outstanding council tax and, where appropriate and proportionate, to take enforcement action. The Department has published best practice guidance on council tax collection. This highlights the importance of clear communication, early engagement with council taxpayers and proactive engagement with the debt advice sector.