Andy Burnham’s government has unveiled new plans aimed at cracking down on dishonest builders and aggressive bailiffs, addressing a widespread issue where households lose an average of £750 during home improvements. The announcement, made on Friday, 28 August, forms part of Mr Burnham’s continued efforts since becoming Prime Minister to protect consumers and improve fairness.
The Labour-led government intends to introduce stricter regulations to combat cowboy tradesmen and ensure that individuals falling behind on payments are treated with respect and fairness. Starting in September, a government-supported scheme will assist people in identifying and hiring trusted builders with greater confidence.
Recent data highlights that more than one in four UK adults who have undertaken home improvement work in the past 18 months have encountered problems, with over one third of them incurring additional costs and losing an average of £750.
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Mr Burnham stated: “Cowboy builders don’t just rip people off. They leave families with months of stress, the disruption of unfinished work, and that horrible feeling of being taken advantage of. Not only that, but they damage the reputation of the vast majority of decent, hardworking tradespeople.
“We’re putting the cowboys out of business. These changes mean you’ll now have the option to ensure your money is held safely and released incrementally as the work progresses.
“This is the latest in a series of our everyday reforms designed to give people breathing room and help make Britain fairer. We’ve addressed subscription traps, fake discounts, and now we’re tackling cowboy builders. Enough is enough.”
Judith Turner, Deputy Chief Ombudsman at the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO), welcomed the government’s backing for an approved code in the home improvement sector. “The Approved Code Scheme delivered by FHIO, in partnership with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, represents a gold standard. We are pleased the government recognises the importance of its implementation. This code is crucial for building trust in the sector and assisting consumers in identifying reliable traders dedicated to fair resolution of disputes through an established Ombudsman scheme.”
Peter Grigg, Executive Director of Partnerships and Advocacy at Citizens Advice, also expressed support, saying: “The government’s actions pave the way for essential changes in sectors known for rogue behaviour. When problems arise, people often suffer significant financial losses, unsafe living conditions, and feel helpless. Strengthening consumer protection through organisations like Citizens Advice and Trading Standards is vital to improving everyday experiences nationwide. We look forward to collaborating with the government to ensure these reforms benefit those we support daily.”