Councils failed to collect £745million in taxes » Local government » 24dash.com

Local authorities across Britain have failed to collect more than £745million in council taxes, according to new research today.

A study of more than 400 councils by the GMB Union showed the figure for the past year was slightly down on the previous year's total of £760m.

Glasgow topped the league table with almost £22m of uncollected council taxes followed by Birmingham (£16m), Edinburgh (£13m), and Manchester (£12m).

Brian Strutton, national officer of the GMB, said: "While showing some improvement, the amount of council tax uncollected remains stubbornly high.

"Well over £700m remains permanently owed to local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland.

"This money is urgently needed by councils to provide necessary services, particularly to the elderly and vulnerable."

A Communities and Local Government Department spokesman said: "Data on collection rates was published by DCLG three months ago. It showed that collection rates in England are the highest ever.

"To criticise these improvements is insulting to hard working council staff who, over the last 10 years, have driven up the in-year collection rate from 95.5% in 1997-98 to 97.1% in 2007-08, and as the GMB also notes, better collection rates since last year.

"Because councils continue to pursue unpaid bills beyond the end of the financial year the actual collection rate is higher still.

"While councils are doing better and better at collecting council tax we do want to see further improvements and fully support local governments’ commitment to do just that."