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<p>The Government is currently engaging with a range of stakeholders to consider how
to improve council tax collection. Following those discussions, we intend to publish
updated guidance on good collection practices, before considering the scope of further
reforms. The Government is clear that imprisonment should only ever be the last resort
for non-payment of council tax. Before a magistrates’ court commits someone to prison
for failure to pay their council tax, it must inquire as to the debtor’s means, and
satisfy itself that failure to pay is due to “wilful refusal or culpable neglect”.
This is to prevent persons who are genuinely unable to pay their council tax from
being committed to prison.</p>
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