Scottish mum's 'life in chaos' after wages seized to pay off council tax debt in Angus

A Scottish mum faced financial crisis after her wages were seized to pay off council tax debt while she struggled with a gambling addiction in Angus.

Maureen – not her real name – was overwhelmed after accruing more than £12,000 in debt, including arrears on rent, utility bills, and consumer credit.

The mum-of-two was trying to pay off the debt working in a pharmacy but her wages were arrested to pay off a council tax debt of more than £1,800.

She said: “My life was in chaos. I felt as if I was working for nothing. It was awful. I was really down and felt that I would be better off on the dole.

“But I have always worked and did not want to be unemployed, sitting around the house – that’s just not me.”

Maureen was also struggling with a growing gambling addiction, and had spent more than £400 in one month on gambling.

Unable to afford anything, Maureen’s wages were seized to settle her council tax arrears, leaving her feeling devastated and out of control.

“I never knew anything about it until I was contacted by a debt collection agency,” she said.

Advice Direct Scotland said it has seen a surge in people seeking help after falling into arrears. iStock

Maureen sought advice from Advice Direct Scotland’s moneyadvice.scot service, and was able to close all her gambling accounts and registered with GamStop, a self-exclusion scheme.

“I feel so much better and in control now. I now have more money to spare for necessities,” she said.

“I have made a vow – never to get into debt again. If I want something and cannot afford it, I won’t go into debt to get it. If I don’t have the money, I don’t get it – it is as simple as that.”

Advice Direct Scotland has urged Scots struggling with council tax payment to seek support after a study found some households face debts of up to £15,000.

The charity said it has seen a surge in people seeking help after falling into arrears and expects to see more as council tax hikes come into place.

The warning comes after Angus announced an 11% increase in council tax on Thursday, February 27.

Politics

Is your council tax going up and by how much?

A nationwide freeze on the levy ends in April meaning local authorities can increase it by however much they like.

Angus Council is just one of many Scottish local authorities to announce increases to its council tax. It comes as a nationwide freeze on the levy ends in April.

With councils facing financial black holes of millions of pounds and rising service costs, increasing council tax is one way they can plug the gap.

John Baird, head of debt services with Advice Direct Scotland, said the looming increases will put more pressure on individuals and families already struggling with the cost of living crisis.

“It’s heartbreaking to see people distressed over council tax debts. We’ve seen a growing demand for our services and expect even more inquiries when the new financial year starts in April,” he said.

He urged people to take action sooner rather than later, saying: “With the right support, people can manage their debts more effectively and avoid the serious consequences of falling behind on council tax payments.

“Our debt advisers are here to help you assess your situation, review your income and expenses, and figure out the best way forward.

He added: “We can also work with local authorities to take into account people’s financial challenges and help find fair, sustainable solutions.”