Debt news and case law

7 February, 2023

BEIS worked quickly to introduce energy bills support schemes but their near universal support created value-for-money risks

NAO warns that, while the Department is considering moving to targeted support in its next iteration of the schemes, this will require a more sophisticated approach to manage the potential increased risk of fraud and error

6 February, 2023

Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales instructs magistrates to stop listing applications for warrants of entry for purpose of installing pre-payment meters

Direction also says that any decision to recommence listing will depend on the progress of Ofgem's investigation into the practices of energy suppliers towards vulnerable customers

3 February, 2023

High Court cancels debtor’s mental health crisis moratorium and temporarily restrains her from seeking a further moratorium to allow creditor time to enforce judgment debt

Kaye v Lees (2023) EWHC 152 (KB)

3 February, 2023

Ofgem takes action on forced installations of prepayment meters on vulnerable customers

Regulator launches urgent investigation into British Gas, and asks all suppliers to 'get their house in order'

3 February, 2023

Changes in Scotland to how much money an individual is allowed to keep before any payment can be taken from their wages to recover debts

New statutory instrument

23 January, 2023

Following huge surge in applications to force-fit prepayment meters, Business Secretary calls for energy suppliers to do more to support vulnerable consumers

Secretary of State says he wants suppliers to 'stop this practice and lend a more sympathetic ear', offering the kind of forbearance and support that a vulnerable customer struggling to pay should expect

20 January, 2023

Amendments to statutory debt solutions in Scotland

New statutory instrument makes changes aimed at providing improved access to debt relief for the most financially vulnerable

18 January, 2023

Almost 100 charities and non-profit organisations urge Chancellor to introduce social tariff to help low-income households with energy bills

Highlighting the 'devastating impact' energy prices have had on those with disabilities or on low incomes, letter to Mr Hunt says a targeted support mechanism is needed going forward

17 January, 2023

Court of Appeal upholds decision refusing trustee in bankruptcy opportunity to argue justification of unlawful discrimination when case resumed in High Court following CJEU ruling on UK pension rights legislation

Wilson & Anor v McNamara [2023] EWCA Civ 20

12 January, 2023

More than two million households are self-disconnecting their electricity or gas supplies every month as they can’t afford to top up their prepayment meters

Citizens Advice warns that situation is so acute that energy companies must now review all prepayment meter users and commit to install credit meters where necessary to remove risk of disconnection

11 January, 2023

Requiring intermediaries to ‘pass through’ benefits received from the Energy Bills Support Scheme and Alternative Fuel Payments to end users in Northern Ireland

New statutory rule

9 January, 2023

2022 was a ‘truly horrendous year’ for living standards in the UK and there is more to come in 2023

Resolution Foundation also highlights that, even if the cost of living crisis ended today, the adverse and unequal impacts it has had would persist

4 January, 2023

People with a disability are almost three times more likely to live in material deprivation than the rest of the population

New Resolution Foundation research also finds that almost half of disabled adults have had to cut back on fuel this winter, compared to almost a third of those without a disability

3 January, 2023

Government confirms that households in Northern Ireland who do not pay for fuel by direct debit will start to receive £600 vouchers from mid-January 2023

Adding that vouchers can be redeemed at a Post Office, Minister advises customers to take relevant ID and documentation and to beware of scams

21 December, 2022

High Court dismisses creditor’s applications to cancel debtor’s mental health crisis moratorium and enforce outstanding ‘subrogated debt’ by evicting debtor from property at the centre of the dispute

Kaye v Lees [2022] EWHC 3326 (KB)

19 December, 2022

Government announces extension of Energy Bills Support Scheme to help more households across Great Britain and Northern Ireland ‘worry less about their energy and heating bills this winter’

New measures include a single £600 payment for households in Northern Ireland and a £200 payment for households in Great Britain that use alternative fuels

15 December, 2022

Department for Communities launches call for evidence on proposals for debt respite scheme in Northern Ireland

New scheme expected to incorporate provision for both a Breathing Space and Statutory Debt Repayment Plan

14 December, 2022

Government to make it a legal requirement for bailiffs to use body-worn cameras

Measures announced in response to 2018 consultation also include giving courts broader range of sanctioning powers, including fines, to punish enforcement agents who behave inappropriately

13 December, 2022

Bill to introduce ‘administrative liability orders’ to speed up recovery of child maintenance arrears from parents who fail to pay receives second reading in House of Commons

Private Members Bill will remove the need to apply to the courts for liability orders but will retain a right of appeal to safeguard paying parents

Page 6 of 82 pages
‹ Previous
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next ›