Haringey (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Haringey Council’s use of bailiffs has increased despite its ethical debt-collection policy, prompting scrutiny over enforcement practices and transparency.
According to data, almost 9,000 families were referred to bailiffs for unpaid council taxes last year.
The council assigned 9,145 families to bailiff companies in 2024–2025 due to unpaid council taxes, according to information gathered by the advocacy organization Acorn through a Freedom of Information request.
Since 2021–2022, when there were 8,048 referrals, the number of households sent to enforcement agencies has been increasing year.
Since 2022, Acorn Haringey has been advocating for a “bailiff free Britain” on a local and national level, having branches all around the UK.
As part of a “National Day of Action,” the Haringey branch announced that it would demonstrate outside a full council meeting on Monday, November 24.
Andy Faust, chair of Acorn Haringey, said:
“These figures confirm what we’ve known for some time. Haringey Council’s ethical debt policy is not worth the piece of paper it’s written on.
Year after year, bailiff use goes up, but Haringey Council refuses to admit there is a problem.
Bailiff companies are continuing to profit from the hardship of residents who are simply trying to stay afloat amid soaring rents, price inflation and rising bills.
We deserve dignity, not fear. No-one should have to live with the threat that the council’s hired bullies will come knocking on their door.
With local elections on the horizon, Haringey Council has a choice: stand with ordinary residents, or stay in the pocket of profiteering bailiff companies.”
In response, the council has accused Acorn of “making assumptions based on raw data” that didn’t “reflect” how policies worked.
In a joint statement, Seema Chandwani, cabinet member for resident services and tackling inequality, and Dana Carlin, cabinet member for finance and corporate services, said:
“The council does not send enforcement agents to any household that we have identified as vulnerable, in accordance with our ethical debt policy.
This includes those in receipt of council tax support, social care support, those who are registered with the vulnerability registration service, or those where we’ve discovered financial hardship. Our use of enforcement agencies to collect council tax is actually one of the lowest in London.”
What changes were made in Haringey Ethical Debt Policy 2021?
Ending the use of bailiffs (Enforcement Agents) for collecting Council Tax from veritably low- income residents, those entering Council Tax Reduction( CTR), grown-ups with internal health enterprises known to social care, and those registered as vulnerable with the Vulnerability Registration Service( VRS). This has averted thousands of residents from being appointed to bailiffs since 2021.
Introducing clearer, more probative communication to encourage residents facing fiscal difficulties to communicate with the council for help beforehand. Launching a devoted helpline operated by the council’s Financial Support Team to help residents floundering with payments and give customized support and advice.
Improving council duty bills with clearer layouts and added information about available support and payment options.
