Early council tax charge down to 'human error'

Around 18,000 residents have had a direct debit charged to their accounts a day early

About 18,000 council tax payers who pay by direct debit have been charged a day early by mistake.

Slough Borough Council said it was "very sorry", that human error was the cause and that it has put in an "immediate checking process to ensure it doesn't happen again".

A spokesperson said: "If someone pays by direct debit and had a payment taken [on Tuesday], there will be no further payment taken [on Wednesday], on what would have been the payment date."

Any people affected can ask their bank for a refund or can make a manual payment to ensure they have paid their charge. If no payment is taken in October, the charge will be added to the bill for November.