Bailiffs in 20,000 visits to chase unpaid tax in West Midlands

Six councils have revealed they referred households to bailiffs 20,345 times as they were in arrears. It has sparked criticism from campaigners who say all other alternatives should be explored first.

And they claim the figures show how families across the region are struggling to make ends meet. Councils have defended their use, claiming they never put 'undue pressure' on residents and ensure support is offered.

Walsall Council called in bailiffs 11,505 times alone, compared to 5,087 times in Wolverhampton. Cannock Chase Council sent out bailiffs 954 times, while they were used 911 in Stafford and 1,026 in South Staffordshire. It happened 862 times in Wyre Forest. The figures were released after a Freedom of Information request.

Sandwell Council revealed last year that by the end of June 10,905 tenants were in arrears, owing a total of £3.05 million. And last month the total owed by tenants in Dudley stood at £1.5m, with 60 being evicted from April to December last year. Critics argue councils could still collect the same amount of council tax without having to use bailiffs. Charity bosses also estimate more than 23,000 families have fallen into council tax arrears in the last year in the Black Country and Staffordshire.

A survey of 4,500 families across the country has been used as a cross-section to reach the figures. It is part of an investigation by the Children's Society called Wolf at the Door, which looks at the struggle families face to pay bills.

Rob Willoughby, West Midlands area director for the charity, said: "Our report reveals that far too many families are failed by their council when they fall behind with their council tax.

"Councils are more likely to refer a family in council tax debt to a bailiff than to an independent debt adviser, which is not acceptable."

The scale of the problems facing families through the West Midlands has been met with shock. David Winnick, who is defending his Walsall North seat at Westminster, said he had spoken to 'countless' residents who were unable to pay their bills in recent years. He added: "This illustrates the deep financial hardship that many of the constituents in Walsall have been facing."

Rory Borealis, executive director for resources in Walsall, said: "Walsall Council collects council tax on around 113,000 properties and only uses enforcement agents when there is no other option."

Wolverhampton City Council spokesman Tim Clark said: "We would only ever consider using an enforcement agency as a last resort.

"If a customer is not paying their bill, at every stage in the process we encourage them to contact us if there are experiencing difficulties and we will look to put a payment plan in place."