MORE than £20m in council tax went uncollected on Teesside last year.

But one of the worst performing authorities in the country improved its in-year collection rate during the pandemic.

Middlesbrough Council’s in-year collection of taxes rose from 91.6% in 2019/20 to just over 92% in 2020/21.

Only Blackpool had a worse in-year collection rate than Middlesbrough in 2019/20.

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However, government figures show Middlesbrough sat above Liverpool, Leicester, Derby, Westminster, Preston and 12 others on this measure in the following financial year.

Despite the rise, there was still more than £7.3m which went uncollected in the borough – and the latest figure still sits below the 2018/19 in-year collection rate of 92.6%.

The council launched its “Stop the Knock” scheme in 2020 to reduce the use of hard nosed bailiffs demanding payments on doorsteps.

Officials have been contacted for comment on the uncollected tax and the council’s performance.

A pandemic-hit year saw collection figures nosedive elsewhere on Teesside as thousands were furloughed and many faced struggles paying their tax bills for the first time.

Stockton Council’s performance dipped markedly – with more than £7.7m uncollected in-year and a rate of 93.23% in 2020/21.

This was down on the previous year where it collected 95.2% of bills in-year.

Council leader Cllr Bob Cook said Covid had dealt collections a blow.

He added: “Our rate of 93.23% for the last financial year still positions us as one of the strongest performing local authorities in the Tees Valley.

“That said, we very much appreciate that people may be finding it difficult to pay their council tax due to the effects of the pandemic and our officers are always happy to work with anyone who is struggling to pay.

“If you are in that position then please contact us on 01642 397108 and we will do all we can to help.

“We’re also boosting our local council tax support scheme to support those most in need, including many low income households with working people.

“These changes will see around 7,400 low income households across the borough pay no council tax at all next year.”

Redcar and Cleveland held the middle ground of the three councils – with a collection rate of 92.8% in 2020/21 and just over £5.9m uncollected in-year.

This was down on the £4.8m owed last year and its 93.8% collection performance.

The council has also been contacted for comment.

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