Amnesty for council tax dodgers

People dodging paying the full amount of their council tax in the Black Country have been offered an amnesty to confess without being taken to court.

Dudley Council said it was preparing to crack down on people claiming a 25% discount for saying they live on their own when really they were not.

However, they said that before doing that they were offering people until 28 February to come forward themselves.

A single person discount is typically £190 a year for a Band A property.

Council leaders said they would be using a computerised matching exercise to compare household occupancy details against other council and government documents. Any discrepancies will then be investigated.

The council has the power to fine people or take them to court, where they can receive a larger fine or face jail.

Council finance spokeswoman Anne Millward said: "We encourage residents to claim their correct discount entitlement.

"However, anyone who is falsely claiming a council tax discount is not paying their fair share and could face serious consequences."