The extent of bailiff use by Cheshire councils to recoup debts has been revealed following a Freedom of Information request.

Figures collated by the National Debtline charity and the Centre for Social Justice think tank have revealed Cheshire West and Chester Council referred 9,914 debts to bailiffs in 2022/23 – a five per cent drop on pre-pandemic levels in 2018/19.

These included 5,584 council tax referrals, 3,545 parking charge referrals, 243 for unpaid business rates, 18 for commercial rents and 526 for 'other debts'.

The figures also revealed that Cheshire East made 17,024 referrals to bailiffs, an increase of one per cent on pre-pandemic levels. The figures included 15,859 council tax referrals, 37 for parking and 1,128 for unpaid business rates.

Across England and Wales, 2.71m debts were referred to bailiffs by councils during 2022/23 – broadly unchanged on pre-pandemic levels of 2.65 million in 2018/19.

The findings, based on Freedom of Information requests sent to local authorities, form part of wider research into council tax debt and collection practices published by the Centre for Social Justice, which revealed that 1.3m households fell behind on their council tax bill in 2022/23.

Bailiffs, known officially as enforcement agents, have the right to visit a property and can remove and sell goods to repay certain debts, including council tax arrears, parking penalty charge notices and other debts.

National Debtline is calling for national changes from the Government to help reduce and reform bailiff action, including through new ring-fenced funding for councils to provide 100 per cent Council Tax Support schemes for those on the lowest incomes.

Steve Vaid, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, said: "I would urge anyone struggling with their finances to get in touch with National Debtline as soon as possible. Our expert advisers provide free, impartial support and can help residents make a plan whatever their circumstances."

The Money Advice Trust is a charity which helps people across the UK tackle their debts and manage their money. The Trust's main activities are providing free advice through National Debtline and Business Debtline,

National Debtline can be contacted on 0808 808 4000 or at www.nationaldebtline.org.

Macclesfield Nub News contacted Cheshire East Council for comment.

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: "We would always encourage residents who are struggling to make payments to contact us as soon as possible, so that we can avoid the need to use bailiffs. The council's website also has information around late or non-payment of council tax.

"We will be looking to be more proactive in seeking out vulnerable and more-hard-to-reach residents to ensure they have claimed the benefits they are entitled to and to support them to make affordable payments –avoiding costly recovery action."