Colin Trend

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@McnabGareth Good shout Gareth.

This fight has been on since the Poll Tax at least and even I was a student then, so not involved at that point.

Multiple debt advisers, debt advice agencies as well as wider agencies have been championing this change.

Grateful for all of those voices.

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@GavinVaughan @MartinSLewis @mmhpi Not every Council promotes the fact that anyone can repay over 12 months (if at the start of a full financial year). It can help with budgetting so it is good that you mention this so that others are aware.

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@Redimp84 @MartinSLewis @mmhpi It's good to call them as you suggest, but Councils behave very differently. It sounds as if Manchester are very progressive, but others have been the opposite, creating a debt spiral for many with further psychological distress.

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@AytonKelsa @MartinSLewis @mmhpi They can, if you are in work and earn over a minimum amount.

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

I couldn't have put this better myself @MartinSLewis

Great progress for all consumers including those with mental health challenges.

However, the process used here re Council Tax is not dis-similar to parking fines where Councils use very similar tactics.

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

NEWS! The govt has just announced its changing the Council Tax Debt Collection rules on the back of @mmhpi recommendations. Here's my official quote
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Council Tax debt collection is so aggressive it’d make banks blush. It’s the most vicious and damaging form of legal debt collection out there - causing counterproductive misery for millions. We’ve spent the last 18 months campaigning hard to change this hideous system, and having seen so much pain caused by it, I’m genuinely moved by this huge first step towards making things better.

Currently, in England, if you miss a monthly payment, many councils, within usually 3 weeks, demand payment for the entire year. How people who can’t find a month’s money are expected to find a year’s I don’t know. Yet if they can’t pay, within just three more weeks, they are often taken to court, have ‘admin costs’ added, and soon see bailiffs sent in. No commercial firm would be allowed to do anything close - constituents are treated worse than customers.

The new rule from next April means councils must wait two months, not 3 weeks, to ask for a year’s money, and the ‘admin costs’ will be capped at £100. In a perfect world, it would be even longer and the lower cap would apply, but this is still a hugely welcome change to a 33-year-old process. For councils too, it is worth remembering that this grotesque system is often catastrophic for people’s finances and wellbeing, leaving many needing more help and support, and ultimately the same council having to pick up the pieces.

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@CarlBovisNature Beautiful. Thank you :)

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@paullewismoney @paullewismoney it does matter.

Gina and others like her will have less disposable income at every stage and choice in life. It will affect the car she can choose to buy, the house that she can afford to rent, put back the day she can buy her own home and many other choices.

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@RyanDavey284 @BBCRadio4 @wealtherty @RyanDavey284 yes, it would be good to have a catch up at some point if you have the time. Drop me an email if you like :)

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@pdmcmanus @AmesTaylor_DA Historically I would completely agree, which is why I was concerned when they started to use the High Court.

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@AmesTaylor_DA It probably comes down to how you measure success.

Hopefully not by creating a spiralling debt for people - it would be a huge concern that this is an actual outcome for many. It's time to rethink this as you say...

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@kellyjohnsonhas @konstructivizm It's one light day (the signal takes about 24 hours to reach the Earth) not one light year.

It shows how vast space is and how small humanity is.

The Voyager project will die (battery will run out) before I pass away, yet it will reach nowhere else.

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@Cryptoinsightuk @RachelReevesMP @LucyRigby I can't help but notice that this graph starts in 1209.

I think you should carefully consider the data you use before making specific arguments as this doesn't support your point at all.

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@AmesTaylor_DA I see we're back to three word slogans once more: "gaming the system".

It is neither helpful or accurate when talking about complex mental health issues (as noted by 'we've all felt like that') or the existing assessment of a disability benefit.

Can we have adult debate please.

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@AmesTaylor_DA This is a disgrace - from a sitting MP!

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@AmesTaylor_DA .... further change is required.

The cost to individuals and to society is too great and it can have unexpected consequences including being politicised by media and other influential people. Once skewed those who face the biggest challenges become the focus of more inequality.

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@AmesTaylor_DA I still have huge concerns about the concept and application of "wilful refusal".

I recognise that the consultation was narrower than some of what I state. However, I think we still need to be clear about what is right and point out the bigger picture about why and where ...

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@AmesTaylor_DA Other creditors don't use imprisonment after determining 'wilful refusal' so I don't think it should have a place in C Tax collections either. We must be more helpful in offering genuine support and if sanctions exist, they should point the individual towards better outcomes.

[Colin Trend @ColinTrend]

@AmesTaylor_DA ...the person in authority can misunderstand the other person and be prone to pigeon hole them into systems that exist. In the context of C Tax this can result in prison.

Personally, I don't think this should be on the menu for C Tax payers due to the risk of a poor outcome.