The public petitions system has now closed ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections on 7 May 2026. It is not possible to submit a new petition to the Scottish Parliament or sign a petition until after the election.
The petitions system will reopen at the start of the new parliamentary session.
For more information about the petitions process, please contact the committee team at petitions.committee@parliament.scot.
For more information about the election campaign period and the dissolution of the current parliament, please visit the Scottish Parliament’s Election 2026 webpage: https://www.parliament.scot/msps/elections/election-2026
Closed petition PE2174: Stop council tax debt collection
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to abolish enforcement of council tax debts.
Background information
We need an amnesty on council tax debt now to protect the people of Scotland.
People are living in fear of sheriff officers enforcing diligences such as wage arrestment, bank arrestment, benefit deductions or if they are a homeowner, sequestration.
People are losing their jobs and homes due to the harsh enforcement regime which is unlike any other debt collection.
Not only is the current system outdated and unfair, the aggressive enforcement destroys lives, exacerbates mental health issues and pushes children and families into poverty.
There have been calls from charities across Scotland to reform council tax as it is unfair, regressive and penalises people already struggling financially by demanding payment of a full year of tax in advance if one month’s payment is missed.
The Scottish Government has failed to address issues raised and local authorities are showing a blatant disregard by increasing council tax whilst removing their legal obligation to issue final demands before enforcement procedures commence.
Change.org link:
This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament
87 signatures