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<p> </p><p> </p><p>Data on the total number of financial imposition accounts outstanding
has only been available since November 2012 so it is not possible to say how many
accounts remained outstanding at the end of December for each of the last four years.
The available data is set out below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Date</p></td><td><p>Total
number of financial imposition accounts outstanding</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>December
2012</p></td><td><p>1,548,516</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>September 2013 (latest published
period)</p></td><td><p>1,371,089</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>The numbers
above relate to accounts which include fines, prosecutor costs, compensation and victim
surcharge. The number of outstanding accounts include those which are being paid by
instalments or are not yet due for payment.</p><p> </p><p>HM Courts and Tribunals
Service (HMCTS) takes the issue of financial penalty enforcement very seriously and
is working to ensure that clamping down on defaulters is a continued priority nationwide.
HMCTS actively pursues all outstanding impositions until certain they cannot be collected.
Collection reached an all time high at the end of 2012/13 and collection has continued
to rise in this financial year. At the end of September 2013 total value of collection
(all imposition types excluding confiscation orders) was higher than the same point
in the previous year and the outstanding balance had reduced since the start of the
financial year. On average over the last 12 month 69% of accounts have been either
closed or are compliant with payment terms by 12 months after imposition.</p><p> </p><p>HMCTS
are actively seeking an external provider for the future delivery of compliance and
enforcement services. This will bring the necessary investment and innovation to significantly
improve the collection of criminal financial penalties and reduce the cost of the
service to the taxpayer.</p>
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