Despite Haringey Council's three-year-old ethical debt reduction policy, referrals to bailiffs for unpaid council tax have surged, reflecting systemic issues in the enforcement process.
ACORN labeled the increase in bailiff referrals as 'outrageous', arguing that private companies are profiting from vulnerable people, and called for an end to bailiff usage.
Consumer expert Martin Lewis criticized local authorities for their debt collection tactics, likening them to 'the worst loan sharks' and highlighting the severe impact on vulnerable individuals.
ACORN's open letter expresses concern over enforcement practices, suggesting that Haringey should emulate Southwark's in-house debt collection service, which focuses on cooperation rather than profits.
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