Recent reports have highlighted the significant levels of debt that UK councils are facing, with new analysis by the BBC showing that local councils collectively owe nearly £98 billion. Specific figures have been released for councils such as Sheffield City Council with a debt of £875 million, Barnsley owing £632 million, Rotherham at £557 million, and Doncaster with £377 million. In Surrey, three borough councils have some of the largest debts per person in the UK, and one borough has been reported to have spent millions on luxury skyscrapers. Warrington Borough Council's debt has been noted as particularly high, at £1.8 billion, which amounts to more than £8,200 for every adult resident, ranking it third highest in the country. Middlesbrough Council is seeking £15 million in emergency financial support from the government to avoid bankruptcy due to inherited budget shortfalls. Additionally, six local authorities have declared bankruptcy since 2021, and the financial strain on councils continues to be a pressing issue. HMRC and the DWP are also in the spotlight for errors leading to incorrect claims of debts owed by individuals, with HMRC issuing apologies for tax code mistakes and confirming refunds. Thousands of people have been contacted about being owed £5,000, and a single mother was falsely accused of owing £12,000. Norfolk councils' borrowing stands at almost £1.5bn, and North East councils owe more than £4bn. HMRC has issued a 14-day warning ahead of tax return penalties.
North East councils more than £4bn in debt as stark figures reveal 'staggering' total owed to lenders https://t.co/I5dma3KfpI https://t.co/d71PrcXQlB
UK councils found to owe almost £100 BILLION in debt in 'staggering' borrowing row https://t.co/tE6m6P97AI
HMRC confirms taxpayers 'will be refunded' after tax code error leaves Britons owing money https://t.co/hPEw9YGqW1 #tax #hmrc
HMRC issues apology and confirms refunds after tax code mistake leaves Britons owing money https://t.co/hPEw9YGqW1 #taxes #HMRC
North East councils owe more than £4bn as figures show 'staggering' debt levels https://t.co/I5dma3JHAa https://t.co/to5kxquC4Z
£1.8bn debt - more than £8,200 for every adult resident - 3rd highest in the UK. Labour’s strategy in Warrington isn’t working and puts public money at risk. https://t.co/WBxAzeVEIl
HMRC apologises after tax code gaffe leaves Britons owing money: ‘Any overpaid tax will be refunded’ https://t.co/hPEw9YGqW1 #HMRC #taxes
**BREAKING**: Middlesbrough Council leaders vote unanimously to apply for £15 million pounds in emergency financial support from Gov. This is to ‘avoid a Section 114’ notice, effectively bankruptcy. It follows ‘inherited budget shortfalls’ says council’s finance officers.
HMRC issues 14-day warning to millions ahead of issuing 'penalties' https://t.co/3R0dg6jTjF
HMRC issues warning as Britons have only two weeks to complete tax return or be hit with penalty https://t.co/RDI6hNH2EL #hmrc #tax #selfassessment
WARRINGTON Borough Council is once again in the national spotlight over its "mountain of debt" @WarringtonBC @MrAndy_Carter https://t.co/kZoJjhd98N
HMRC warning as tax deadline looms – but Britons could spread cost with payment plan https://t.co/RDI6hNH2EL #tax #selfassessment #HMRC
Universal Credit claimant left 'absolutely devastated' after DWP falsely accuses her of owing £12,000 https://t.co/x7bmLnwusp #universalcredit #DWP
Norfolk councils' borrowing stands at almost £1.5bn https://t.co/muQiJBhcJ6
HMRC and councils issued warning over 'aggressive' debt tactic https://t.co/2AoSHHGmgM
Three borough councils in Surrey have built up some of the biggest debts per person in the UK. Tap below to read more: https://t.co/uAeLXfQEwB
How bad is the financial the situation for Middlesbrough Council and what does it mean for the town? https://t.co/FT4DpTpqZt
New analysis by the BBC shows local Councils owe nearly £98 billion. Between April and June 2023 Sheffield City Council had debt of £875m, Barnsley owed £632m, Rotherham £557m and Doncaster £377m. https://t.co/QmudTEC0vp
DWP and HMRC writing to thousands of people owed £5,000 https://t.co/eCVYCiE557
DWP falsely accuses single mum of owing £12,000 - when it owes her money https://t.co/UyZIZml1gO
“Six local authorities have declared bankruptcy since 2021. Spotlight looks at the financial situation at English councils.” 🖊️ @meganekenyon @HarryClrke https://t.co/DOM1MBUt7Y
How in debt are Kent's councils? Paul Lynch from the BBC's Data Unit examines the financial challenges facing councils. Tap below to hear more: https://t.co/tCuUzRG5yc
HMRC says sorry over tax code mistake which leaves people owing money https://t.co/YS98kssTkn
UK councils with most debt per resident revealed - including borough that spent millions on luxury skyscrapers https://t.co/IByLCP11nx
UK councils most in debt revealed https://t.co/a6TlxNO18p