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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Bailiffs denied new entry rights | Bailiffs denied new entry rights |
| (5 days later) | |
| Bailiffs will not be allowed to force entry into people's homes on a first visit to collect debts, the government has announced. | Bailiffs will not be allowed to force entry into people's homes on a first visit to collect debts, the government has announced. |
| The proposal had been considered as part of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act. | The proposal had been considered as part of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act. |
| But the Ministry of Justice said such a change will not now be considered until the industry is regulated in 2012. | But the Ministry of Justice said such a change will not now be considered until the industry is regulated in 2012. |
| Currently most bailiffs can only force entry if they have been previously invited into the house by the debtor. | Currently most bailiffs can only force entry if they have been previously invited into the house by the debtor. |
| Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Money Box, Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said the decision was based partly on current economic circumstances. | Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Money Box, Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said the decision was based partly on current economic circumstances. |
| "Secretary of State Jack Straw asked me last year to have a complete reassessment of the provisions of the act given the current economic climate. We don't think they are appropriate at the moment." | "Secretary of State Jack Straw asked me last year to have a complete reassessment of the provisions of the act given the current economic climate. We don't think they are appropriate at the moment." |
| The minister also felt that allowing stronger entry powers was inadvisable in the absence of the bailiff industry being properly regulated. | The minister also felt that allowing stronger entry powers was inadvisable in the absence of the bailiff industry being properly regulated. |
| "The idea of someone entering your house to seize your goods is a very serious one and so it really is important that we get everything set up with a proper regulatory authority," she said. | "The idea of someone entering your house to seize your goods is a very serious one and so it really is important that we get everything set up with a proper regulatory authority," she said. |
| Long campaign | Long campaign |
| Citizens Advice and other organisations which deal with debt have campaigned for changes in the way bailiffs operate for years. | Citizens Advice and other organisations which deal with debt have campaigned for changes in the way bailiffs operate for years. |
| It has welcomed the postponement of increased powers to force entry. | It has welcomed the postponement of increased powers to force entry. |
| However Citizens Advice social policy officer Peter Tutton would like the government to act more quickly than 2012 on the issue of regulation. | However Citizens Advice social policy officer Peter Tutton would like the government to act more quickly than 2012 on the issue of regulation. |
| "Bearing in mind the enforcement white paper was in 2003, we're talking nine years to bring to bring a relatively small sector into regulation," he said. | "Bearing in mind the enforcement white paper was in 2003, we're talking nine years to bring to bring a relatively small sector into regulation," he said. |
| Current legislation seems to be biased in favour of the debtor Penny, Wales href="/1/hi/programmes/moneybox/7956089.stm"> Have Your Say | |
| "We'd really like the government to do this as quickly as possible." | "We'd really like the government to do this as quickly as possible." |
| Regulation is made potentially difficult because of the wide variety of different bailiffs authorised in different ways and pursuing different sorts of debts. | Regulation is made potentially difficult because of the wide variety of different bailiffs authorised in different ways and pursuing different sorts of debts. |
| Debt charities say many of the complaints they receive are against bailiffs collecting unpaid parking fines and Council Tax. | Debt charities say many of the complaints they receive are against bailiffs collecting unpaid parking fines and Council Tax. |
| Claire Sandbrook is chair of the High Court Enforcement Officers' Association. | |
| It represents companies which pursue debts over £600 where a High Court writ for collection has been issued. | |
| Although Ms Sandbrook was disappointed by the government's delay in extending powers of entry, she thought it was the right decision. | |
| "It's sad that the government couldn't implement what it wanted to do but it's a wise decision at the moment," she said. | "It's sad that the government couldn't implement what it wanted to do but it's a wise decision at the moment," she said. |
| "You can only really give rights of entry into private homes when you have a properly regulated profession." | "You can only really give rights of entry into private homes when you have a properly regulated profession." |
| BBC Radio 4's Money Box was broadcast on Saturday 21 March 2009 at 1204 GMT. | BBC Radio 4's Money Box was broadcast on Saturday 21 March 2009 at 1204 GMT. |
| The programme will be repeated on Sunday 22 March 2009 at 2102 GMT. | The programme will be repeated on Sunday 22 March 2009 at 2102 GMT. |