Tax-dodgers cost councils £100 million

Published on 29/06/2012 01:59

More than £100 million of council tax went unpaid last year with a “real hardcore” of tax- dodgers blamed for the soaring sums.

Opposition leaders insist that the cash could make a “significant difference” to local services.

A total of £1.886 billion was collected in 2011-12, but £1.987bn was billed by local authorities, leaving a shortfall of £101m, up by £20m on the previous year.

Labour’s local government spokeswoman Sarah Boyack said; “This £100m figure represents around 5 per cent of council tax and could make a significant difference for hard-pressed local services if collected.

“This means that those not paying the council tax are restricting councils’ ability to provide high-quality services across the country. And there should be no complacency in collecting of this money.”

The amount of council tax going unpaid has soared from £60m in 2005-06.

A Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities spokesman said councils do a “fantastic job” collecting council tax. He added: “What we are talking about is unpaid council tax, not uncollected. This sum is made up of a real hardcore who go out of their way to avoid payment.”