The use of bailiffs by local authorities in England and Wales has surged by 30% in just two years, according to fresh analysis from charity Debt Justice.
Referrals rose from 1.3 million in 2022-23 to 1.7 million in 2024-25, coinciding with a 10% rise in average Band D council tax bills and growing arrears.
Debt Justice warned that bailiff use was ‘outdated and harmful' and criticised a Government consultation on modernising council tax for failing to address councils' reliance on enforcement.
Dean Burn, of Debt Justice, urged councils to ‘stop punishing people in debt' and to ‘help them instead'.
Grace Brownfield, of charity National Debtline, added: ‘Councils are under pressure, but passing debts to bailiffs when people are struggling isn't the answer.
‘We want more support to help people pay back what they owe affordably — not more bailiffs at the door.'
