Cyber attack delays island council tax bills

Council tax and non-domestic rates bills in the Western Isles have been delayed due to disruption still being caused by a cyber attack that happened in November.

Local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar should have issued the bills for 2024-25 in the middle of March but now hopes to do so in May.

For council tax, payments are usually due over 10 months from April to January.

This has been changed to June to March, with no direct debits in April and May and payments taken instead next February and March.

The comhairle said all money paid since the attack had been logged and allocated to accounts.

A spokesman said: "The comhairle is working closely with software suppliers to ensure that this issue is resolved quickly and with the least disruption possible.

"We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate everyone’s patience while our systems are rebuilt and restored."

Councillors froze council tax levels at a meeting in February.

November's attack caused widespread disruption to the comhairle's IT system and online services.