The Labour government, led by Andy Burnham, has unveiled plans to tackle the issue of “rogue bailiffs” and unscrupulous builders in England. Starting next month, the government will launch a trusted trader scheme requiring participating tradespeople to meet strict standards of customer service, transparency, and dispute resolution.
Burnham, the Makerfield MP, highlighted the severe distress caused by dishonest builders, who often leave families facing unfinished work and prolonged stress. The new system aims to offer consumers greater confidence by allowing only vetted traders to join the initiative.
In addition to the measures aimed at builders, the government is targeting unfair practices among bailiffs. Each year, over seven million enforcement cases are carried out by bailiffs, many related to unpaid parking fines, traffic penalties, and council tax arrears. Martin Lewis, financial expert and founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, has previously described it as “outrageous” that a proper independent regulator for bailiffs does not yet exist.
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The government has announced that private bailiffs in England and Wales will soon need accreditation from the new Enforcement Certification Body (ECB) or must work for an accredited firm to obtain or renew the necessary certificates. This move is designed to standardise professional conduct and provide those facing enforcement actions with access to an independent complaints process, thereby strengthening protections for vulnerable individuals.
Lewis commented that people with mental health issues are disproportionately affected by debt crises and that an independent regulatory framework for bailiffs is a welcome step. “Bailiffs will have to comply with the rules or lose their licence,” he said, emphasising the importance of consistent regulation to prevent aggressive debt collection tactics that can ruin lives.
However, the proposals have received criticism from some quarters. The National Federation of Builders (NFB) expressed scepticism about the scheme’s effectiveness. Adas Rico Wojtulewicz-Richmond, the NFB’s director of policy, told BBC Breakfast that existing measures already identify trustworthy builders, and suggested a “passport” system for projects might better raise industry standards by documenting work accurately.
Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, defended the government’s initiatives, stating they are designed to protect consumers, support reputable traders, and ensure safe spending.
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith voiced concerns that the new regulations might impose additional paperwork on compliant businesses instead of focusing on those who intentionally defraud customers. He called instead for strengthened law enforcement and harsher penalties for offenders.
Similarly, Liberal Democrat business spokesperson Sarah Olney criticised the announcement as insufficient, describing the voluntary code for tradespeople as ineffective because rogue operators are unlikely to participate.
Minister for Courts and Legal Services Sarah Sackman emphasised the need to prevent intimidating behaviour and unfair treatment for those already in financial difficulty, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fair enforcement practices.
Overall, the government’s dual approach targets both rogue builders and bailiffs, aiming to provide greater consumer protection, increase industry standards, and introduce independent regulation where there has previously been none.