Bullying bailiffs to be reined in by new bill

MP hopes to outlaw aggressive behaviour by debt collectors

Vinne Jones played an aggressive debt collector in the film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (GETTY IMAGES)

A new bill hopes to stamp out bad behaviour by bailiffs. In particular Yvonne Fovargue, the MP who presented the bill, hopes it will cut back on bailiffs’ bullying tactics and lead to them only being used as a last resort by councils.

“Bailiffs are continuing to use intimidation and bogus excuses to gain entry to people’s homes and to seize goods which they have no right to,” she said. “My Bill will ensure that bailiffs have to abide by a legally binding code to ensure that they act in a reasonable and fair manner.”

She said the Private Member’s Bill – introduced into Parliament this week - will also set up an independent ombudsman – “something long overdue” - so that people have a simple way to seek redress when bailiffs get out of hand.

“I am also concerned that bailiffs are being called in too readily by local councils, when they should instead be giving people help with an affordable repayment option first,” Ms Fovargue said. “If we can avoid people being sent to bailiffs in the first place we will have a much better chance of ensuring that they can pay off their debts and get back on their feet.”

Mike O’Connor, chief executive of StepChange Debt Charity, said: “While Councils have a duty to pursue debts, they must have a responsible and proportionate approach to dealing with people who are demonstrably in financial difficulty.

“Getting too tough, too early, for example, by sending in the bailiffs is often counterproductive. We know the costs of such action often puts people deeper in debt and does not lead to debts being recovered. The Government needs to support better standards of debt collection both in the interests of Council Tax payers and the most financially vulnerable in our society.”