Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Accepted
Paragraph: 64
Voluntary funding model for Enforcement Conduct Board is precarious, requiring a statutory review.
Conclusion
We welcome the establishment of the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB), and, most recently, the launch of its accreditation scheme, but we regret that the ECB is dependent for its funding on a voluntary industry levy. We are concerned that industry support for the ECB in principle might not be matched by the voluntary financial contributions needed in practice to make the ECB a reality. There is considerable merit in putting the ECB on a statutory footing, so we are pleased the Government has committed to a review of this within two years of the ECB’s establishment. This will be in November 2024.
Government Response Summary
The government broadly agrees with the committee's points, confirming its commitment to launch a review on statutory underpinning for the ECB and stating DLUHC will write to local authorities encouraging them to use ECB-accredited firms.
Paragraph Reference:
64
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government broadly agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. The Ministry of Justice remains committed to reviewing the effect of the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) to decide whether statutory underpinning is required, with work underway to prepare for the review’s launch. Once launched, the Ministry of Justice will update the Committee on the review process, which will include the methodology of data collection. The Government is already encouraging enforcement firms to seek accreditation from the ECB and for creditors to use accredited firms. So far, over 40 firms have been accepted for ECB accreditation, covering at least 95% of the annual volume of debts enforced by civil Enforcement Agents in England and Wales. The Government will continue to encourage creditors, including local authorities, to use ECB-accredited firms. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities will also write to local authorities to encourage councils to use firms who are accredited with the ECB.