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Raise the Rate debate

Wrong side of the Tax – Why Council tax debt collection needs to change

Council tax is important. It’s the largest property tax in England, and the revenue it raises accounts for 32% of local government funding. But for households, it is also a growing source of debt.

As of March 2019, the overall level of council tax arrears stood at £3.2 billion - 7% more than the year before. Last year Citizens Advice helped 83,000 people in England with council tax arrears. It is the most common debt they see, impacting more than 1 in 4 of all those they help with a debt problem.

Not so long ago the main reason why people fell into debt was because of credit cards, payday loans or expensive bank overdrafts. But that has changed. Yes, people still get into financial difficulty repaying those loans, but tougher regulation in recent years has limited charges and given borrowers far more protection.

It is far more likely these days to see people struggling to pay their everyday household bills, and in particular their council tax. Helping people with council tax debt is now, by a long way, the most common debt issue that Citizens Advice deals with. In fact, someone sought help from them with a council tax issue every 90 seconds in 2019.

And recent research published by the charity has laid out in stark terms what this means for people. On average, someone they help with council tax debt has just £7 left over at the end of the month after paying their living costs. Shockingly, 42% of these people have no money left at all and these people are more likely to be women, or under thirty, or have mental health problems.

Despite this hardship, government regulations push councils into taking harsh routes to recover debts. People who miss just one payment become liable for the whole annual bill in one go, and that could mean having to pay thousands of pounds. They’re often forced to pay extra court fees and to face bailiffs threatening to take their goods. The result is often huge stress and anxiety for people. It should also be remembered that non-payment of council tax is a criminal offence and there is evidence that both councils and bailiffs are quick to threaten imprisonment.

This heavy-handed approach is meant to encourage people to pay, but it doesn’t allow for the many hundreds of thousands who just do not have the funds. Intimidated by a stream of threatening letters, emails and text messages from bailiffs, it’s little wonder that people are flocking to charities like Citizens Advice for support with debts.

The Government has the power to change this. Councils want to be able to collect council tax fairly, without locking people in debt, and to give greater support to vulnerable people struggling to pay arrears, but the government regulations make it far harder to do so.

The government needs to listen and act now by giving councils the tools they need. It also needs to give the green light to an independent regulator of bailiffs and bailiff firms, as well as a user-friendly complaints mechanism. This is now the only way to stamp out the threats, intimidation and other bad behaviours that are all too common in the bailiff industry and which only add to the misery of people struggling to pay their council tax arrears.

Armed Forces Day 2019

This week in Parliament - Recall of Whirlpool Tumble Dryers & Breathing Space

Hunting Act 2004

This week, I demonstrated my support for strengthening the 2004 Hunting Act. 

Fourteen years after the introduction of the Hunting Act, a key accomplishment of the last Labour government, the Labour Party is campaigning for the eradication of loopholes, such as ‘trail hunting’.  

Trail hunting has arisen since the ban on hunting was introduced, and is an entirely different practice to drag hunting, which is a traditional and legitimate pursuit that does not use animal scent or involve the killing or chasing of wild animals. 

To address some of the loopholes currently open to exploitation, Labour announced last year that in government they would consult on bringing forward the following amendments to the Hunting Act 2004:

1. Review sentencing to ensure effective deterrence includes the use of custodial sentences in line with other wildlife crimes.

2. Strengthening the criteria on which research licenses are issued.

3. The removal of the exemption “Use of dogs below ground to protect birds for shooting”, as it risks fights between dogs and wild mammals.

4. The introduction of a ‘recklessness clause’ to prevent trail hunting from being used as a cover for the illegal hunting of live wild animals.

A recent poll by Survation found that only 16% of those living in rural areas believe hunting with dogs is a reflection of countryside values, while 67% do not. It also showed that a mere 4% of people living in the countryside ever take part in hunting with hounds.  In contrast, 91% said they thought observing nature was a greater reflection of countryside values.

I know from my postbag that Animal welfare is something my constituents feel very strongly. On the 14th anniversary of the introduction of Labour’s Hunting Act, we must look again to ensure that any loopholes currently open to exploitation through newly developed practices are closed. The next Labour Government will be committed not just to maintaining the hunting ban, but to strengthening it.

Increase funding for VI Form Colleges

I spoke in a debate on VI Form funding this week. You can learn more about the campaign at www.raisetherate.org.uk

Makerfield Christmas Veterans' Lunch

I hosted my annual lunch for veterans with the support of Wigan Council and councillors representing wards in the Makerfield constituency.

Police cuts

Recently I spent a day with GM Police in Ashton in Makerfield and I raised their concerns about cuts to police numbers since 2010. Ministers will still not acknowledge the impact on frontline policing.

Springs Pit Disaster Memorial unveiled

Prime Minister's Questions

The #RaisetheRate campaign aims to lobby Government to increase the funding rate for sixth form students that has been frozen at £4,000 per student, per year since 2013.

The campaign uses recent research from London Economics to press for a £760 per student increase to sixth form funding that is raised in line with inflation each year.

The associations behind the campaign state that “only a significant increase in the national funding rate for 16 to 18 year olds will make it possible for the government to meet its objectives for a strong post-Brexit economy and a socially mobile, highly educated workforce.”

The £760 increase is described as the “minimum required” to increase student support services to the required level, protect minority subjects such as languages that are at risk of being dropped, and increase extra-curricular activities, work experience opportunities and university visits.

Winstanley College and St John Rigby are two award winning colleges that deliver fantastic results in challenging circumstances as cuts erode their core budgets. The reality is that without proper funding in place, then something has to give and it is our students who ultimately pay the price with courses cut and reduced opportunities for enrichment through pastoral care.

Planning Application - db Symmetry - land at junction 25, M6

Universal Credit Debate 17th Oct 2018

£46 million investment at Springs Branch rail sidings

Twisted Vine Ale House, Ashton in Makerfield

Pet Theft campaign

Friends of Hindley Station unveil new sculpture

Wigan St Judes ARLFC 'Assault Course' Opening

Sam's Dry Bar & Eatery, Ashton in Makerfield

Logbook Loans