Council tax debt rises to £9bn but here's how you can get help

Council tax debt rises to £9bn but here's how you can get helpImage source, Getty ImagesByKevin PeacheyCost of living correspondentPublishedJust nowMore than £9bn is owed to councils in unpaid council tax as people continue to struggle with their finances - but some help is going unclaimed.Newly-published data shows that uncollected council tax had risen to £7.4bn in England by the end of March. Data published separately in Scotland and Wales further pushes up the total.Charities say the latest numbers point to a council tax affordability crisis, with a wider group of people struggling to cover essential bills.Although non-payment of council tax can lead to a prison sentence in extreme cases, there are various discounts and support measures in place of which people are often unaware.The latest government data shows that £2.1bn of council tax levied in England during the financial year to the end of March went unpaid.However, £43bn of what was levied during the year was collected, marking a collection rate of 95.6%, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, external.How much is council tax and what does it pay for?Published14 AprilVikki Brownridge, chief executive of debt charity StepChange, said: "Our advisors know all too well just how deep the council tax affordability crisis runs. "With one in three of those coming to StepChange behind on this bill, these latest figures are no surprise to us and point to a system that perpetuates debt with little to no constructive route out."Charities are urging anyone struggling to check whether they are eligible for council tax discounts and support.They vary depending on your council area, external, but include:A 25% discount for adults living on their ownA total exemption from council tax for full-time studentsPeople with disabilities being able to apply to move to a different council tax band with a lower billHelp to pay for those on low incomes through Council Tax Support,...