Some local authorities are quick to criticise private landlords for trying to avoid rent arrears but it appears councils themselves have been getting tougher.

The BBC reports that referrals to bailiffs in England and Wales to recover unpaid council debts have risen by nearly 20 per cent.

The bailiffs are seeking to recover debts built up through unpaid council housing rent, council tax, business rates and multiple parking fines.

The BBC Radio 4 programme File on 4 submitted a Freedom of Information request asking councils for the number of referrals made between April 2023 and October 2023.

The BBC’s online story says: “Birmingham’s 500 per cent rise in referrals between 2022 and 2023 topped the list of 280 councils that replied to a File on 4 Freedom of Information request. Figures suggest there is £500m of uncollected public debt each year, adding to councils’ strained finances.”

Birmingham – the Labour controlled authority which recently declared itself to be ‘effectively bankrupt’ – made 43,283 referrals over the seven-month period in 2023. The BBC says that was nearly six times the equivalent figure for the same period in 2022 of 7,875 (adjusted for comparison).

The report continues: “With many councils across England and Wales in financial dire straits every penny is needed to maintain essential services.

The File on 4 programme also looks at allegedly underhand tactics used by bailiffs, and at another council which recovers debts without bailiffs.

You can see the BBC story here.