Some councils can now seize benefits and take other actions to recover the owed payments
Missing just one monthly Council Tax payment can result in a demand for the full annual bill.
Recently elected Labour MP for West Dunbartonshire, Councillor Douglas McAllister, right, who was the £50,000 a year Provost before being elected the £80,000 a year MP, is being asked to drop this yet another certain Labour vote loser.
Finance experts are calling for a change to this cruel police at a time when the cost of living is soaring and Labour have taken away old folk’s heating allowance while they are keeping the two-child cap on Child Benefits.
“What eejit decided on this? If someone can’t afford the monthly payment, how can they possibly find the money to pay for the full year,” one voter asked.
Money guru Martin Lewis has reminded people that every local authority across Scotland has increased annual Council Tax bills for the 2025/26 financial year, with first payments due by the end of last month.
He has advised them: “If you missed that payment, contact your local council as soon as possible and explain your circumstances, they may be able to help.
“Under its new 2025/26 financial year rules, final Council Tax notices will no longer be issued to those who miss a payment, with only a single reminder notice sent, requiring action within 21 days.
“Anyone who fails to comply will lose their right to pay by instalments, meaning they will owe the full-year balance.
The council will then make an application to the Sheriff Court to obtain a summary warrant, including a 10 per cent financial penalty, without any further notification. Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the free moneyadvice.scot service, said stricter recovery policies are likely to have the biggest impact on vulnerable people.
The charity revealed last month some households were already facing Council Tax debts of up to £15,000, before the April increase.
Advice Direct Scotland are urging Scots struggling to pay their Council Tax bills to get help, before missing any payments or increasing existing debt.