Coventry owes almost £14million in unpaid council tax

Coventry owes an estimated £13.9million in unpaid council tax - more than DOUBLE the amount the city council will cut from its budget this year.

The figures published by the Department for Communities and Local Government show the debt, up until March 31, has decreased from £14.2m last year.

But charity National Debtline believe the figure could increase again as the city’s council tax bill increases by 3.95 per cent.

The average bill for a Band D household in Coventry will be £1597.23 for 2016/2017 - a rise of £60.

The council had to slash £5.2m from services in the latest round of cuts as it contends with a £65m grant cut from central government by next year - half of what the council received in 2010.

National Debtline claims the council needs to offer more free advice to help tackle the outstanding bill.

The charity says it receives 360 calls each year from Coventry residents seeking advice on how to resolve their debt problems.

Joanna Elson OBE, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust which runs National Debtline, said: “The level of unpaid council tax in Coventry remains a concern.

“With people in the area now paying 3.95 per cent more in council tax than they were this time last year, there is a risk that residents who are already behind will find it even more difficult to resolve their financial difficulty.

“We would urge all councils to do everything they can to ensure that residents in difficulty are signposted to free advice that will help them get back on track.”

This year, the council will cut support services for young people, shut care homes and look into finding communiuty groups to takeover the running of its libraries.

The cuts also reduce council tax support for the city’s poorest residents.

While some people can’t afford to pay council tax, others refuse to pay.

In August 2015, pensioner Henry Edwards was jailed for 42 days for refusing to pay an £1,800 bill on an empty house in the Stoke area of the city.

Anyone struggling with council tax payments or other debts can call National Debtline 0808 8084000 or Citizens Advice on 0247 6223284.

I find this astonishing.

Whenever I've 'forgotten' a payment, they're chasing me within a few days: everyone I know has the same experience.

I think we need a greater breakdown of these figures...

What makes me laugh is that the two million who only registered to vote for the EU will now get hammered for Poll Tax!