The Poll Tax was a momentous event in UK politics. But it ... had wider effects, some of which linger. The poll tax brought large numbers of people into contact with the debt enforcement system for the first time. Local authority efforts to recover money owed by defaulters received much publicity, (mostly adverse), through the media. As a result, public knowledge and experience of debt enforcement increased. The public debate around the issues of non-payment and enforcement is likely to have had some impact on the views and conduct of those involved in debt enforcement whether as debtors, creditors or facilitators.