ACORN Disrupts Lambeth Council Over Bailiff Tax Enforcement

Key Points

• Housing rights organisation ACORN Union interrupted a Lambeth Council meeting to demand an end to the use of bailiffs for collecting unpaid council tax.
• The disruption involved a member reading a statement from the public gallery at Lambeth Town Hall, calling certain enforcement measures “outrageous and almost medieval”.
• ACORN’s action forms part of their national campaign, Bailiff Free Britain.
• Paul Adams, a member of ACORN’s Lambeth branch, led the statement, demanding bailiffs be removed from people’s lives and an end to imprisonment for non-payment of council tax.
• Other demands include giving residents maximum time to address arrears before liability orders are sought and a government commitment to explore council tax alternatives.
• Councillor Claire Holland, Leader of the Council, and Councillor Danial Adilypour, Deputy Leader (Housing, Investment, & New Homes), left the room during the statement.
• James Stewart-Williams, an ACORN Lambeth member, provided a testimonial about his experiences with Lambeth Council’s enforcement, describing bailiffs as “very threatening” and council contact as “almost impossible”.
• ACORN claims 79% of those owing council tax are in the bottom half of earners, with a third below the poverty line.
• ACORN alleges they contacted Councillor Holland twice in the past month without reply.
• Lambeth Council stated council tax is vital for funding services, uses enforcement agents (EAs) as a last resort to encourage dialogue and support, and is responding to ACORN’s letter.
• The council runs an interventions programme for arrears, partners with Citizen’s Advice Merton & Lambeth (CAML), and described the protest as an unauthorised disruption of the Full Council meeting.

Lambeth, London (South London News) January 29, 2026 – Members of the housing rights organisation ACORN Union disrupted a Lambeth Council meeting last night, protesting what they termed “almost medieval” council tax enforcement practices involving bailiffs. The activists read a public statement demanding reforms, including an end to bailiff use and imprisonment for non-payment, as part of their Bailiff Free Britain campaign. Several councillors, including Leader Claire Holland, exited the chamber during the interruption, highlighting tensions over debt collection amid rising arrears among low-income residents.

What Sparked the ACORN Disruption at Lambeth Council?

The interruption occurred during a Full Council meeting at Lambeth Town Hall. Paul Adams, a member of ACORN’s Lambeth branch, addressed the chamber from the public gallery. As reported in coverage of the event, Adams read a prepared statement condemning the council’s reliance on bailiffs.

Paul Adams stated:

“We want bailiffs out of people’s lives.”

He continued,

“Bailiffs and the way that they’re being used by councils are causing real harm, and people deserve to be supported by the people that they elected to represent them.”

Adams further remarked:

“People can still get put in prison for not paying their council tax, which is outrageous and almost medieval.”

During the reading, some councillors left the room, including Leader of the Council Councillor Claire Holland and Deputy Leader of the Council (Housing, Investment, & New Homes) Councillor Danial Adilypour. This exodus underscored the immediate impact of the protest on proceedings.

Who is Paul Adams and What Did He Demand?

Paul Adams spearheaded the verbal intervention. His statement outlined specific grievances and calls for change. Beyond removing bailiffs, demands included an end to imprisonment for council tax non-payment. Activists also sought maximum time for residents to address arrears before councils pursue liability orders. Additionally, they urged a government commitment to exploring council tax alternatives.

Adams highlighted the human cost, framing enforcement as outdated. The Bailiff Free Britain campaign, under which this action falls, aims to nationalise these concerns, positioning Lambeth as a flashpoint.

What is James Stewart-Williams’s Story with Lambeth Council?

James Stewart-Williams, an ACORN Lambeth member, featured prominently via a testimonial read by Adams. Stewart-Williams described being

“shocked with the force and the zeal” of Lambeth Council in pursuing his council tax debt. According to the statement, despite his attempts to resolve the matter, the council proved

“almost impossible to contact and not interested in discussing a resolution”.

Present at the disruption, Stewart-Williams echoed these sentiments directly. He said:

“Bailiffs are very threatening people: the way they approach you, communicate with you, turning up at your property unannounced. Their manner of speaking is very militant and completely unacceptable for modern day Britain.”

Reflecting on participation, Stewart-Williams called it a “dream come true”. He elaborated:

“It was, in a nutshell, liberating. Just being there and hearing my story, and looking at the faces of the councillors, some of whom were really quite receptive and sympathetic. It was absolutely a dream come true, and I would do it again.”

How Does ACORN Portray Council Tax Debtors?

ACORN cited data underscoring the vulnerability of debtors. Of those owing council tax, 79% fall in the bottom half of earners, with a third living below the poverty line, according to ACORN figures. This statistic frames enforcement as disproportionately affecting the poorest, amplifying calls for reform.

The organisation alleges prior outreach to Councillor Holland. ACORN claims they tried contacting her twice over the past month but received no reply, suggesting a lack of dialogue before escalation.

What is Lambeth Council’s Response to the Protest?

A Lambeth Council spokesperson provided a detailed rebuttal. They emphasised:

“Council Tax is a vital source of revenue which helps fund a wide range of front-line services that our residents – particularly the most vulnerable – rely upon.”

The spokesperson added:

“Lambeth, like all local authorities, has a legal obligation to maximise collection of Council Tax to fund essential services.”

On enforcement agents (EAs), the council clarified:

“Lambeth Council uses Enforcement Agents (EAs), and these are not used to take control of goods to recoup a debt. Lambeth uses EAs as a last resort to support people in debt to repay, including as an alternative method to engage with residents in receipt of Council Tax Support (CTS), in order to begin a dialogue with them.”

This approach, they said, enables understanding issues and offering assistance, such as debt help, income maximisation, discretionary schemes, or debt write-offs.

Further measures include working with vulnerable residents via debt advice and discretionary payments. Some contact occurs through an external company for phone or letter outreach when direct council efforts fail. The spokesperson noted:

“The council is already writing to Acorn in response to their letter, received just before Christmas, setting out the work Lambeth does in supporting people to pay their council tax.”

Lambeth runs an interventions programme targeting Council Tax Support (CTS) accounts and protected vulnerable residents. Flyers accompany reminder notices, directing to Citizen’s Advice Merton & Lambeth (CAML) for independent advice.

On the protest itself, the spokesperson stated:

“The protest on Wednesday was an unauthorised demonstration which disrupted the Full Council meeting which the Chair then suspended. Any groups or individuals are welcome to raise issues of concern at council meetings through established channels and by prior arrangement – for example, through speaking at committees or pre-arranged delegations on the floor of the Council Chamber at Full Council meetings.”

Why Does This Fit into ACORN’s Broader Campaign?

The Lambeth action aligns with Bailiff Free Britain, ACORN’s national push against aggressive debt collection. By targeting a Labour-led council in a diverse, working-class borough, organisers spotlight systemic issues. Lambeth’s high arrears – exacerbated by cost-of-living pressures – make it emblematic.

What Happened During the Council Meeting Suspension?

The Chair suspended the Full Council meeting amid the disruption from the public gallery. This followed Adams’s statement and Stewart-Williams’s presence, preventing immediate continuation. No arrests or further incidents were reported, but the event drew media attention to enforcement practices.

How Prevalent is Council Tax Debt Enforcement in the UK?

While specific to Lambeth, the protest taps wider concerns. Councils nationwide use bailiffs, with imprisonment possible for wilful refusal post-liability order. ACORN positions this as archaic, urging policy shifts amid poverty data.

What Are the Implications for Lambeth Residents and Councillors?

For residents like Stewart-Williams, encounters breed fear. Councillors face balancing revenue needs with welfare. Holland’s exit and the council’s response signal defensiveness, yet openness to channels. ACORN’s persistence may prompt review, especially post their unanswered letters.

Broader Context: National Push Against Bailiffs

ACORN’s campaign seeks systemic change, beyond Lambeth. Demands challenge imprisonment, liability timelines, and council tax structure. With 79% low-earners affected per their data, it resonates in squeezed economies.