09/06/2026
💰 More than 50,000 people were taken to court over unpaid council tax debt in Greater Manchester last year, new figures show.
Figures obtained from five councils in the region show that more than 100,000 people's accounts were in arrears to the tune of more than £132 million.
A total of 112,522 people had debt management proceedings brought against them whilst almost 51,957 people were taken to court over unpaid bills.
It was Rochdale Council - who were owed £26.4million - who took the most people to court at 16,392. Tameside - who were owed £11.7 million - took 14,923 whilst Stockport took 7,631 and Bury 6,077.
Across the North West, it was found more than £589 million is owed to councils with more than 480,000 accounts in arreats and more than a quarter of a million people having debt management proceedings brought against them.
GMB have described the figures as 'horrifying' and show that the council tax system is 'completely broken.'