Bristol City Council has announced it will pause its debt collection activities for three months during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
With some people facing reduced incomes or job losses as a result of the outbreak, the council has confirmed it will be relaxing its normal rules on non-payment of Council Tax and other council invoices.
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The authority has said it has “paused debt collection activities for an initial period of three months”.
This means that no enforcement or recovery action will be initiated against people who fall behind with their payments.
The council has confirmed it will not be pursuing any new or current debt for the three-month period.
Residents are still being encouraged to continue paying these bills if they are able to do so.
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Not only will this help them avoid building up debt problems in the future, but the council relies on this income to help fund the vital frontline services that local people rely on, including the support provided for the city’s most vulnerable residents.
For those that do find themselves struggling to pay bills at the moment there are a number of debt advice services available from charities and voluntary agencies such as Step Change, the National Debt Line or Citizens Advice.
