The Liberal Democrats have accused councils of being too heavy handed in their efforts to get people to pay their council tax. Figures obtained under freedom of information legislation found 1m people were summoned to court for falling behind with their council tax payments last year. Local government spokesman, Julia Goldsworthy said: ‘Just as lenders are being asked to reduce repossessions, public bodies should do everything they can to ensure that bankruptcy is only ever a last resort. But a CLG spokesman said: ‘Only in the most severe cases can the council apply to the magistrates' court to issue a warrant committing that resident or business owner to prison.'
