17th Report - Bailiffs: Enforcement of debt (Enhanced HTML)

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government welcomes the report, agrees with the Committee on the need for a clearer independent complaints process and increased regulation, and does not think it necessary "at this stage" to legislate for a statutory regulator.

• On complaints, the Government agrees "in principle" that all complaints escalated beyond local procedures should be able to go to an independent body, and "notes" the recommendation on the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
• On regulation, it supports the Enforcement Conduct Board and does not think legislation is "necessary at this stage", but will review the Board within two years and "consider then whether legislative changes are needed".
• On fees, it agrees that the fee structure should be reviewed and "intend[s] to carry out a further review" of encouraging settlement at the compliance stage and of whether fee levels remain appropriate.
• On body-worn cameras, it agrees with the recommendation and "intend[s] to consult next year" on making them a statutory requirement for privately employed enforcement agents, alongside best practice guidance.

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