Debt news and case law

22 September, 2023

Independent oversight body for debt enforcement sector in England and Wales launches accreditation scheme

Organisations that sign up to Enforcement Conduct Board's new scheme will commit to increased accountability and higher standards, and be 'subject to potential sanctions for breaches'

13 September, 2023

Ofgem announces new prepayment meter rules that extend protection from forcible installations to people aged 75 and over and households with a child aged under two

Energy regulator also confirms that it is making the Code of Practice on involuntary installations mandatory

13 September, 2023

Money Advice Trust expresses disappointment that government has shelved plan to establish single independent regulator of insolvency services

Acting Chief Executive calls for further action to tackle harmful practices in the insolvency market, including rules to ensure the provision of regulated debt advice before an IVA can be put in place

31 August, 2023

Debt advice sector warns that growing number of clients in deficit budget need more comprehensive support which in turn will require increased funding

However, while MaPS acknowledges sector's response to call for evidence, it says that there will be challenges to increasing investment against a backdrop of high and increasing need for debt advice and pressures on public money

25 August, 2023

Ofgem’s energy price cap reduction to £1,923 from 1 October 2023 ‘offers little solace’ to struggling consumers

Money Advice Trust urges energy regulator to go further to support people with energy debts, including by encouraging suppliers to match customer bill payments or provide write-off options for those most in need

22 August, 2023

Fewer than one in five of those eligible for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Fund received the £400 payment they were due

With those in care homes the least likely to have successfully accessed the Fund, Age UK calls for government to recommit the unused money to the scheme, and for the application process to be made more straightforward

14 August, 2023

Debt advisers call for parliamentary inquiry to assess increased demand for debt advice and the level of funding needed to meet it

We are Debt Advisers also say that funding levels set by MaPS are ‘woeful’ and need increasing, particularly given the demands that the sector faces and the pressures that advisers are under

14 August, 2023

More than 30 housing associations call for government to extend deadline for the energy support scheme for households without an energy supplier

Letter to Energy Ministers also calls for more targeted support through the Energy Bills Support Scheme for winter 2023/2024

10 August, 2023

Supreme Court rules that bankrupt couple did not have standing to challenge transactions by trustees in bankruptcy where relief sought would have no impact on their position in bankruptcy

Brake and another (Respondents) v Chedington Court Estate Ltd (Appellant) [2023] UKSC 29

7 August, 2023

Insolvency Service confirms that it will consult further on proposals to reform the personal insolvency framework in England and Wales

Response to call for evidence acknowledges that the shortcomings in the current regime, as highlighted by stakeholders, need to be addressed

3 August, 2023

Government plans to introduce a ban on cold calling for financial services and products are not enough to stop the harm caused by the unregulated promotion of IVAs

StepChange warns that those behind fraudulent online adverts that are followed up by 'warm callers' may be just as unscrupulous

26 July, 2023

More than seven million people unsuccessfully attempted to contact a financial services provider in the year to May 2022

FCA highlights importance of new Consumer Duty in light of survey which also found that vulnerable people were more likely to report that customer services did not help them at all

21 July, 2023

Government welcomes new powers designed to speed up the recovery of child maintenance arrears as Child Support (Enforcement) Bill receives Royal Assent

Change is another step in work to strengthen the DWP's powers and improve how the Child Maintenance Service supports children of separated parents, says Work and Pensions Minister

18 July, 2023

StepChange raises concerns about reports that the government may drop its plans to regulate the Buy Now Pay Later sector

Responding to media reports over the weekend, the debt charity calls for the government to 'stick to its guns' and put customers who might be struggling during a cost of living crisis first

14 July, 2023

More than a fifth of people receiving benefits or other financial support report that they ran out of food and were unable to afford more in the past two weeks

New ONS data also highlights that more than a third of renters and mortgagees reported difficulties affording their rent or mortgage payments in the period February to May 2023

11 July, 2023

Government confirms that it plans to move ahead with ‘ambitious overhaul’ of Consumer Credit Act

Consultation response outlines plan to repeal most of Act and recast its provisions within Financial Conduct Authority rules

3 July, 2023

Government confirms that households with prepayment meters will no longer pay more on average for their energy than direct debit customers

Removing the prepayment meter 'premium' expected to save households around £21 a year on their bills

3 July, 2023

New survey of Scottish Housing Regulator’s National Panel of Tenants and Service Users shows that three-quarters feel their financial circumstances have deteriorated over last year

In addition, four out of five had concerns about their financial circumstances going forward over the next few years

23 June, 2023

Government agrees package of measures with lenders and the FCA to support mortgage holders struggling with high interest rates

Measures include 12-month grace period before repossessions and allowing customers to switch to an interest-only mortgage for six months

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