Councils are becoming dependent on fines for revenue, says report

22 August 2022, 15:20

Councils are becoming “dependent” on fines for revenue, says report
Councils are becoming "dependent” on fines for revenue, says report. Picture: Alamy

By Cameron Kerr

Councils are increasingly reliant on income from issuing fines in order to provide funding for core services, according to a report by campaign group Manifesto Club.

The Corruption of Punishment 2022 report found that: “With budget pressures, many councils are becoming dependent on fining as a source of income for funding core services, departmental salaries, or special projects.”

Freedom of Information requests were sent to councils asking what they did with the cash raised by fines.

At least one council admitted that the money was being used to “support core services within the department, due to reduced funding central funding from government.

In 2018, cross-party group London Councils predicted that in the decade running 2010 to 2020, London local government would have lost 63% of its core funding from central government in real terms.

The Corruption of Punishment report also found that nine in ten councils were employing private police forces to issue fines, and were paying them per fine issued – despite a government ban forbidding the practice.

The report found that nine in ten councils were employing private police forces to issue fines for offences including littering and loitering.
The report found that nine in ten councils were employing private police forces to issue fines for offences including littering and loitering. Picture: Alamy

Speaking to the Telegraph, Josie Appleton, Director of the Manifesto Club said: “Fining for profit distorts the enforcement system, which is guided not by justice or proportionality, or the aim of clean streets, but by a desire to issue as many penalties as possible.”

“This leads to the harassment and intimidation of members of the public by enforcement officers, as well as the punishment of trivial or non- existent offences.”

Josie Appleton, Director of the Manifesto Club, has said that fining for profits 'distorts' the enforcement system.
Josie Appleton, Director of the Manifesto Club, has said that fining for profits 'distorts' the enforcement system. Picture: Alamy

Steve Double, a Defra Minister, issued a warning on Saturday that councils should not “abuse the power” to raise money.

“We have provided guidance to councils on litter enforcement and are crystal clear that any council that outsources it must make sure their contractors follow the rules.”

In the last financial year, 44 councils earned a total of £4,148,887 in revenue from fines.

Read more: Inflation to hit 18% in January as fears grow over worsening cost of living crisis

Read more: The News Agents with Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel & Lewis Goodall: episodes, how to listen & more

Out of 53 councils that released details of their financial dealings, 47 pay private fine enforcers on the basis that they can earn more money by issuing more fines.

Enforcement officers have been accused of hiding in bushes, following people to see if they drop things and even pretending to be real policemen in order to pressure people into paying fines.

One complaint about a fine alleged that a penalty was issued for putting a carton on the floor whilst loading shopping into the boot, and another dropping a thread from a glove.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Israel Palestinians

Israeli jets hit Gaza targets after week-long truce expires

Live
Snow has blanketed parts of the UK and more is set to fall today

UK snow latest: Cold health alerts issued as snow blankets parts of UK

Snow has fallen in areas around the UK after one of the coldest Novembers in years. Credit: Alamy

Health alerts issued and elderly people told to 'wear more layers' as South-east England sees earliest winter snow in 15 years

Safina Namukwaya has given birth to twins aged 70

Seventy-year-old woman gives birth to twins, but says the father has abandoned her

Israel Palestinians

Israel resumes strikes in Gaza Strip as truce with Hamas expires

Jeremy Clarkson has broken his silence after it emerged that he, James May and Richard Hammond were set to leave the Grand Tour

Jeremy Clarkson breaks silence with good news despite leaving Grand Tour alongside Richard Hammond and James May

Police clashed with Legia Warsaw fans on Thursday night

Police officer set on fire and three more hurt after Polish football fans unleash 'planned violence' at Aston Villa game

King Charles in Dubai

Charles to tell world leaders 'the Earth does not belong to us' at Cop28 as he 'prays for action on climate'

Parts of the UK are set to see 5cm of snow on Friday

Brits to get 5cm of snow as temperatures plummet to -10C, as warning issued for drivers amid freezing conditions

Fighting has resumed on Friday

Israel-Hamas war restarts as truce deadline expires, as both sides blame each other for breaching ceasefire terms

Released prisoner

Israeli military confirms release of six more hostages in Gaza Strip

Rishi Sunak will call for an "era of action" on the climate

Sunak to call for 'era of action' on climate at Cop28 - despite watering down green measures at home

Omid Scobie has insisted he never sent out a book including two royals' names amid racism allegations

Dutch translator on Omid Scobie's Endgame insists she was sent manuscript with two royals' names in race row

Lloyds banking group is closing more branches in 2024.

Lloyds group to close 45 branches as Labour pledges to keep banks back on the high street - is your local affected?

Hall and Oates

Hall and Oates row: Judge extends pause on Oates’ sale of stake in business

Hamas has claimed Israel is refusing to take back the bodies of the Bibas family

Hamas releases propaganda video of father of 10-month-old Kfir Bibas saying Israel refuses to take his family's bodies