More than £80 million in council tax debt was registered against universal credit households in year ending February 2023

Figures supplied by DWP Minister also show that more than £55 million in water arrears was registered in same period

More than £80 million in council tax debt was registered against universal credit households in the year ending February 2023, according to figures supplied by DWP Minister Guy Opperman.

Responding yesterday to a written question in Parliament on the total value of third-party universal credit deductions for (a) court fines, (b) council tax arrears, (c) water charges arrears, (d) gas or electricity charges arrears, (e) mortgage interest arrears and (f) owner-occupier service charge arrears, Mr Opperman provided the following information for the period from March 2022 to February 2023 –

  Number of debts registered Total amount of debt registered
Council tax 161,900 £80,090,000
Electricity arrears 1,800 £2,680,000
Fines 253,100 £198,770,000
Gas arrears 1,400 £1,520,000
Mortgage interest 10 £10,000
Owner occupied service charges 60 £110,000
Water arrears 46,000 £55,620,000
Total 464,300 £338,800,000

NB – Mr Opperman also confirmed that ongoing consumption deductions for gas, water and electricity are excluded from the total amount of debt.

Mr Opperman's written answer is available from parliament.uk