MISSING MILLIONS: Council Owed £15M In Unpaid Council Tax As Nearly 10,000 Debts Passed To Enforcement Agents

£15M Council Tax Debt Mountain as Thousands Face Bailiff Action

Westmorland and Furness Council is owed more than £15 million in unpaid council tax, according to figures obtained by Penrith.Town show a sharp increasing in the amount of unpaid council tax.

The figures reveal that £15,147,317.56 remains outstanding across the first three financial years since the authority was created in April 2023, with thousands of cases escalating to enforcement action.

The council tax arrears have risen significantly year-on-year, with the largest amount relating to the current financial year.

The outstanding debt breaks down as follows:

• 2023/24 – £2,074,417.11
• 2024/25 – £3,323,946.79
• 2025/26 – £9,738,953.66

The data also shows that during the last 24 months the council referred 9,447 council tax accounts to enforcement agents in an effort to recover unpaid debts.

While pursuing arrears, the council has also exercised its discretionary powers to write off 11 council tax debts where recovery was deemed impossible or inappropriate.

The figures come against a backdrop of increasing financial pressure on the authority. Council leaders have repeatedly warned about the severe challenges facing local government finances, with concerns raised over the long-term sustainability of council budgets across the country.

The issue of unpaid council tax has also previously reached the council chamber itself. Last year, Penrith.Town revealed that three serving Westmorland and Furness councillors had failed to pay their council tax. Earlier this year, the publication also reported that the council's former vice-chair had council tax arrears recorded as outstanding on 31 March 2026.

Council tax is one of the authority's largest sources of income and helps fund essential local services including social care, waste collection, highways maintenance, libraries and community services.

With more than £15 million still outstanding and nearly 10,000 accounts referred for enforcement action in just two years, the figures highlight the scale of the collection challenge facing Westmorland and Furness Council at a time when every pound counts.

The council has previously stated that it works with residents experiencing financial difficulties and offers payment arrangements and support where appropriate before cases progress to enforcement action.