The short version
- Private bailiffs in England and Wales must now be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board to maintain their operating certificates.
- A new government-backed scheme will help consumers identify trusted builders, while a separate app will secure payments linked to project milestones.
- The measures address criticism that previous regulatory efforts lacked progress, with full implementation expected over the coming year.
The British government has introduced significant new regulations targeting two sectors frequently cited for consumer abuse: debt enforcement and home improvement services. Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the crackdown as part of a broader strategy to ease cost-of-living pressures and protect vulnerable citizens from predatory practices. The initiative focuses on strengthening oversight of bailiffs in England and Wales while establishing new safeguards for homeowners hiring tradespeople.
Under the new rules, private bailiffs will be required to obtain accreditation from the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) or work for an accredited enforcement company. This accreditation is now a mandatory condition for obtaining or renewing the certificates necessary to operate. The move aims to ensure that all enforcement agents adhere to consistent professional standards and provides individuals facing debt collection with access to an independent complaints process. Officials stated that these changes are designed to prevent intimidating behavior, unfair treatment, and excessive repayment demands that often exacerbate financial distress.
The announcement follows months of criticism regarding the pace of regulatory reform. In June 2025, the Ministry of Justice indicated plans to make independent regulation of bailiffs mandatory, but progress stalled, drawing rebuke from industry oversight bodies and consumer advocates. Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, previously described the lack of a proper independent regulator as outrageous. The new mandate directly addresses these concerns by closing loopholes that allowed some enforcement companies to operate without ECB authorization.
The scale of the debt enforcement industry underscores the significance of these reforms. More than seven million cases are sent to bailiff enforcement annually in England and Wales, generating over £1 billion in collections each year. The majority of these debts relate to unpaid parking fines, traffic violations, and council tax arrears. Consumer groups have long highlighted poor practices within this sector, including aggressive doorstep behavior, overcharging, and the illegal clamping of vehicles used by disabled individuals. There have also been reports of bailiffs threatening to remove possessions that are legally exempt from seizure.
Sarah Sackman, the minister for courts and legal services, emphasized that individuals already struggling with debt should not face additional intimidation or unfair treatment. The government’s stance is that the enforcement process must be fair and transparent, ensuring that vulnerable people are not pushed into repayment arrangements they cannot afford. By mandating accreditation, the administration seeks to hold enforcement agents accountable and provide a clearer path for consumers to seek redress when rights are violated.
Parallel to the bailiff reforms, the government is launching measures to combat fraud in the home improvement sector. Burnham described these efforts as targeting “cowboy builders” and other unscrupulous traders who exploit homeowners. Starting next month, a government-backed scheme will help consumers identify and hire trusted builders and tradespeople with greater confidence. Businesses that sign up for the “Approved Code” scheme, developed by the furniture and home improvement ombudsman, will be able to demonstrate that they meet higher standards of conduct and quality.
The Approved Code scheme is scheduled to go live with initial participants by the end of September, with full implementation expected by December. This voluntary but government-endorsed framework aims to restore trust in an industry often plagued by poor workmanship and dishonest billing practices. By providing a clear marker of reliability, the scheme seeks to empower consumers to make informed choices when undertaking home repairs or renovations.
Additionally, a new app-based service called Trusted Payments is set to launch next week. This tool allows consumers to protect their money during building projects by holding funds securely until specific milestones are reached. Similar to deposit protection schemes for tenants, the service enables users to release cash to builders incrementally, linked to key stages of the project. This mechanism is designed to prevent common scams where traders take deposits and fail to complete work or disappear with the money.
While the framework for these reforms has been established, full implementation will take time. The new bailiff regime is not expected to be fully effective until next year, allowing for a transition period for enforcement companies to comply with accreditation requirements. Meanwhile, the builder protection schemes will roll out in phases over the coming months. These measures represent a concerted effort to address systemic issues in consumer protection, balancing regulatory oversight with practical tools to help citizens navigate financial and home improvement challenges.
The government frames these actions as part of a series of “everyday fixes” intended to make Britain fairer. By tackling subscription traps, fake discounts, rogue bailiffs, and dishonest traders, the administration aims to reduce the hidden costs that disproportionately affect lower-income households. The success of these initiatives will depend on effective enforcement of the new standards and widespread adoption of the protective schemes by both businesses and consumers.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Burnham announces crackdown on rogue bailiffs and ‘cowboy builders’
