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<p>Council tax collection rates have not substantially changed, as illustrated by
this table, which lists average collection rates over the last ten years.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><em>Average collection rate in England</em></p></td><td><p><em>%</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2004-05</p></td><td><p>96.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>96.8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>96.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>97.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>97.3</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>97.4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>97.0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There were a number of factors which may have influenced the
collection rates in 2013-14, which are explained in the statistical release published
in July, which I have placed in the Library of the House. Historical figures can also
be found on Table 4 of the release on the level of arrears.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>I also have placed in the Library a table showing the total council tax arrears
as of 31 March 2014 for each billing authority in England; to assist public scrutiny,
the table also includes total arrears per dwelling and the in-year council tax collection
rate. The worst council in England is Liverpool with £450 of arrears per dwelling;
the best is Amber Valley with just £14 per dwelling.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The
Department’s best practice document, “50 ways to save”, listed improving council tax
collection rates and reducing arrears as a key way of making sensible savings to help
keep overall council tax bills down and protect frontline services. Every penny of
council tax that is not collected means a higher council tax for the law-abiding citizen
who does pay on time.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It is important that councils
are sympathetic to those in genuine hardship, are proportionate in enforcement and
do not overuse bailiffs (and we have published guidance for councils to stop unjustified,
aggressive collection practices). However, these figures show that there is a significant
potential source of income which councils across the country could use to support
frontline service or freeze council tax bills next year.</p>
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