Money expert Martin Lewis has welcomed a government law change that will make bailiff oversight mandatory in England and Wales, following months of campaigning by the Money Saving Expert founder.
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) has announced plans to change the law on bailiffs to protect UK households from rogue debt collectors. Currently, bailiffs only have a voluntary register which they do not have to sign up to, meaning there was little recourse for households to complain about a debt collector acting unfairly or aggressively if they were not signed up to the scheme.
Government announcement
DBIST announced: “Announced today is tougher regulation to better protect people facing debt in England and Wales through increased oversight of the enforcement industry. Private bailiffs will be held to consistent professional standards and those facing enforcement action will have access to an independent complaints process - strengthening the rights of the most vulnerable.
“Currently, families are at times pressured into repayments that leave them unable to afford essentials of day-to-day life as they continue to repay what they owe.
“Independent oversight will be made mandatory for private bailiffs in England and Wales, requiring them to be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board themselves, or to work for an enforcement firm that is, in order to obtain or renew the certificate they need to work.”
Minister's response
Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman said: “Bailiffs have an important job to do, but with that responsibility must come high standards. When someone is already struggling with debt, the last thing they should face is intimidating behaviour, unfair treatment or being pushed into excessive repayment arrangements they cannot afford.
“That’s why we’re strengthening the rules. All private bailiffs will have to meet proper, professional standards and will be subject to independent oversight - giving people greater protection and somewhere to turn when things go wrong.”
Martin Lewis reacts
Reacting to the announcement, Martin Lewis said: “(Good) News! In June, I said on here that it was “outrageous that we still don’t have a proper independent regulator of bailiffs”
“Today govt's just announced it'll introduce compulsory independent regulation of bailiffs in Eng & Wales - something @MMHPI and I've long campaigned on. My response, on behalf of the charity:
“Sadly, you're over three times more likely to be in debt crisis if you have a mental health problem, one result of which is that most people who get a bailiff knocking at their door are vulnerable.
“Many bailiffs behave fairly – but some have got away with acting with impunity due to the lack of mandatory independent regulation. We've long campaigned for that to change as aggressive debt collection can and does destroy lives.
“So we're delighted the Government has listened and made today's bailiffs announcement – it's a genuine step forward! Bailiffs will have to comply with the rules or lose their licence. And because regulation is mandatory not opt-in, it should be easier in future to bring in faster, more ambitious, compassionate rules. Let's hope so.”
