Thousands in Court as Benefit Cuts Hit Home

Many people who were formerly exempt from paying council tax now face court, as the bedroom tax adds to spiralling debt burden. With government cuts to means-tested council tax benefit, many people are now facing liability orders for arrears.  As with the bedroom tax, the people receiving these bills previously weren't charged because they didn't have the means to pay. Their financial circumstances haven't improved, they've only worsened as the cost of living has risen, but they're expected to find even more money from ever-squeezed budgets. This is only the first wave of summonses: as the policy takes effect, and as more people struggle to keep up with payments, the courts will find more and more of the poorest in society in their courtrooms. Read more on the Guardian website.