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Government plans for bailiffs lack proper controls and consequences

25 Ionawr 2013

Responding to the Governments' new measures to tackle rogue bailiffs, Citizens Advice highlights that the plans don't tackle the fundamental flaw in the industry.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

"For decades bailiffs have terrorised people in their own homes by flouting the law and misrepresenting their powers, so this announcement can't come soon enough.

"The measures in the Government's plans expose just how bad the problems with the bailiff industry have got. But they don't get to grips with the fundamental flaw - a lack of proper controls and consequences for bailiff firms.

"We can't go on relying on voluntary codes and hoping that bailiffs abide by legislation. The very nature of their business should mean the Government puts its full weight behind making sure bailiffs are behaving appropriately by setting up a licence system which sees errant bailiff firms struck off."

Anyone struggling with debt or who has a bailiff enforcing their debt can get free independent advice from their local Citizens Advice Bureau or online at www.adviceguide.org.uk

Read Citizens Advice response to the Ministry of Justice proposals to tackle bailiffs

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.