Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) has released experimental statistics reporting diligences executed and Charge for Payment served in Scotland for the financial year 2018-19.

Total diligences executed, for all warrant procedures and diligence processes, increased by 4.1% from 261,919 in 2017-18 to 272,692 in 2018-19.

The majority (87.8%) of total diligences executed in 2018-19 were served under the Summary Warrant procedure in respect of council tax debts. Diligences executed in respect of council tax debts increased by 15.6% when compared with the previous year.

For the Non-Summary Warrant procedure, diligences executed decreased by 42.1% to 26,841 in 2018-19.

The largest number of diligences executed were granted in Tayside, Central and Fife followed by North Strathclyde. The number of diligences carried out decreased in two out of the six Sheriffdoms (Glasgow and Strathkelvin, and South Strathclyde, Dumfries & Galloway) with the largest decrease in Glasgow and Strathkelvin (33.2% decrease). For the remaining four Sheriffdoms that saw increases in the number of diligences, the largest increase was in Grampian, Highlands and Islands (28.7%).

The number of Charge for Payments increased from 250,470 in 2017-18 to 260,835 in 2018-19, an increase of 4.1%. The majority (77.1%) were served in respect of council tax debts.

The figures released today are classed as Experimental Statistics though these were produced in accordance with the professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

Background

A full statement of Scottish diligence statistics for the financial year of 2018-19 is available: https://www.aib.gov.uk/about-aib/statistics-data/diligence-statistics

Experimental statistics are a type of official statistic that are undergoing development. Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) has previously published diligence statistics and this is the third year where the experimental statistics label has been used with the aim for compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

These statistics have been classed as 'experimental' and over the previous year a work programme to evaluate and improve the existing output has been undertaken. The work programme has focused on user needs, completeness of the data collected and quality assurance processes.

Official and Experimental statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland is available: https://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About