Well done Wales! No longer sending women to prison for council tax debts

[theOtherPamAyres]

Melanie Woodcock from Bridgend was sentenced to 81 days in prison for being in debt to her council. A single mother, she had lost her job and was unable to pay her council tax arrears.

Melanie put her time behind bars to good use, by reading up about legal opinions coming from academics, in cases such as hers. She went to the High Court where the judges ruled that she had been imprisoned unlawfully.

The Welsh government have announced that Welsh councils have been using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. It is a sledgehammer that affects women disproportionately. Welsh councils won't be sending debtors to prison anymore.

There are around 70 council tax debtors in prison in England, mostly women. (Scotland and Northern Ireland don't imprison debtors to councils.) Let's hope that the English councils get their act together before separating families, disrupting households that are already under stress, and punishing poverty.

A round of applause for Melanie Woodcock and her lawyers

www.criminalappeals.org.uk/news/2018/11/6/wales-trailblazes-as-it-ends-prison-sentences-for-council-tax-debts-while-england-lags-behind

So you've never met a man who sits on his arse when he's home and expects his wife to go and answer the door? Never ever?

Ah so now it's married women who are making up the bulk of women jailed for non payment of TV licence fines?

Anyway I'd love to see that oppressive piece of patriarchal legislation which mandates women (any woman, married or single) to answer the door. Because we really need to get that changed ASAP. Let's get a petition started. Maybe some billboards?

Alternatively don't watch live TV without paying for a licence. It's not difficult

"Choochoothepanda

Well given that TV is not necessary to exist, there's a very very simple way of not being jailed for not having a TV licence. hmm"

Yes
Don't reply to their mail and don't talk to them on your door step.👍😀

Sometimes, a custodial sentence for such offences, is where the magistrates are being considerate to those convicted

Bumping this.