Southampton City Council's use of bailiffs to collect debts has risen by 80 per cent in the past two years

There has been a huge rise in the use of bailiffs being sent in to track down the debts owed to the council by people across the city..

The 80 per cent increase over the past two years comes as the cash-strapped authority looks to take back £11.5m in owed council tax arrears.

Civic chiefs say the rise may be due to Government changes making more people eligible to pay council tax.

But charities say the use of bailiffs is "too high" and that they should only be used as a "last resort".

According to figures released by the Money Advice Trust, across Hampshire local authorities are owed more than £17.4m in council tax arrears.

In Southampton the figures show the council instructed bailiffs to collect debts 15,405 times in 2014/15 - up 80 per cent from 8,576 referrals in 2012/13.

In Winchester bailiffs were used 1,473 times to collect debt, an increase of 16 per cent, with £3.4m owed in council tax arrears.

And in Eastleigh the use of bailiffs also increased by 16 per cent, to 2,236 referrals, with residents owing £2.5m in unpaid tax.

The Money Advice Trust, which has urged any resident experienced financial issues to contact the charity's National Debtline, has written to Southampton City Council to call for improvements in debt collection practices.

Chief executive Joanna Elson OBE said: “Local councils are facing significant funding pressures – and they of course have have a duty to collect what they are owed. In the case of council tax this is crucial in ensuring proper funding for the services that local people rely on.

"The council’s use of bailiffs, however, remains too high. On the front line of debt advice we know that sending the bailiffs in can deepen debt problems, rather than solve them – and it can also have a severe impact on the wellbeing of people who are often already in a vulnerable situation.

“Bailiff action is not only harmful to those in arrears – it is also a poor deal for the council taxpayer.

"Our research shows that the councils who use bailiffs the most are actually less effective at collecting council tax arrears.

"That’s why we are urging councillors to consider ways they can improve the council’s debt collection practices, and ensure that bailiffs are only used as an absolute last resort."

The figues come as the city council struggles trying to make cuts across its budget.

Earlier this year the Labour run authority pushed through a budget which included 226 job losses, a council tax increase and the closure of care services.

Finance bosses also stressed m that after meeting a £31m gap for this year they now face finding £60m for the next two years and possibly another £30m by 2020.

That makes it the 38th highest council out of 326 in the country for bailiff use, relative to its size.

A spokesman for the city council said: "Bailiffs are required to follow strict codes of practice and guidance and the council works with its partners and contractors to hold them to the standards required of them.”

Simon Letts, the Labour leader of the city council, pictured below, said: "The Government changed the rules on council tax meaning all people apart from pensioners would have to pay some kind of council tax contribution.

"So people who have been struggling to make ends meet and I would suggest that some of the increase in the use of bailiffs is about trying to collect more money from people who may not have any money."

Conservative Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said: "Councils should only use bailiffs as a last resort.

"However, taxes, including council tax, have to be paid by all those that do not have an exemption. It is not acceptable for those that do pay to be further burdened by those that don't.

"While the use of bailiffs are sometimes required it should be noted that recently introduced government legislation prevents bailiffs from seizing household essentials such as washing machines, refrigerators and other kitchen appliances.

"Computer equipment up to the value of £1,350 is also on the list providing the debtor can prove it is used for their job or for education.

"Bailiffs will also not be able to confiscate mobile telephones if there is no landline at the address."