Government and councils collections aggressive and frightening – report

5th July 2018 Consumer Collections |

A new report from Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is highlighting the powerlessness of those facing multiple debt collections from local councils and the state. While the practices of private companies have become more customer-focused, a study shows the depths of suffering from people chased for debts like council tax and benefit overpayments. Now the charity wants…

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Millions owed in unpaid council tax to Bath and North East Somerset Council

2nd July 2018 Consumer Collections |

New figures show that Bath and North East Somerset council authority is owed nearly £5 million in unpaid council tax, The figure includes £2.1 million of arrears relating to 2017/18 that were still outstanding at the end of the financial year. Bath and North East Somerset Council said this debt is still being recovered and…

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Council owed £100m in unpaid council tax

2nd July 2018 Consumer Collections |

Liverpool City Council is owed almost £100m in unpaid council tax, according to the latest government data. The data showed that Liverpool City Council was owed £99.9m of historic unpaid council tax as of the end of March. The City council owed £100m in unpaid tax The data comes from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and…

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South Tyneside Council agree Marston contract

18th June 2018 Consumer Collections |

South Tyneside Council has announced that they have agreed on a collection contract with judicial services firm, Marston. Marston will enforce failed debt payments on behalf of the council and South Tyneside Homes, the firm will also take from debtors at the local authority’s request. Cabinet member for resources and innovation and chairman of South Tyneside Homes, Coun…

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Household payments higher than expected for 26% consumers

18th June 2018 Consumer Collections |

Over a quarter (26%) of consumers have been unable to pay a household bill, as the statement amount was higher than expected, according to a new report. This figure has jumped by 10% since similar research was completed in 2016. Ongoing price hikes across a range of sectors – including gas, electricity and broadband – in…

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Welsh government proposes end to council tax debt imprisonment

12th June 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Welsh Government has launched a plan to end prison sentences for non-payment of council tax. Regulations will be brought forward in early 2019 to prevent any more people being jailed for council tax debt in Wales, pending the outcome of a 12-week consultation. Unlike other forms of civil debt, courts have the power to…

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HMRC spend on private sector debt collectors soars by 62%

14th May 2018 Arrears and Recoveries |

The HMRC has increased its spend on private sector debt collectors by 62% in the last year to £39m in 2017, up from £24m in 2016, says UHY Hacker Young, the national accountancy group. UHY Hacker Young says that the steep rise in spending on private sector debt collectors could suggest that HMRC may be…

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CCUA announces HMCTS CEO as speaker for its conference

27th April 2018 Enforcement |

The Civil Court Users Association (CCUA) has announced that it has secured Susan Acland-Hood CEO of Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunal Service (HMCTS) as its Keynote Speaker its Annual Conference in Birmingham on 16th October. Commenting on the news Amir Ali Chair of the CCUA said “I got the chance to meet and brief Prime Minister…

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Money Statistics: April 2018

19th April 2018 Consumer Collections |

Here is an overview of The Money Charity’s latest statistics for April 2018: Personal debt in the UK People in the UK owed £1.578 trillion at the end of February 2018. This is up from £1.53 trillion at the end of February 2017– an extra £1,169.92 per UK adult. Per adult in the UK that’s an average debt of…

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New debt guidelines could force unnecessary personal insolvencies

13th April 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Credit Services Association (CSA) is concerned that new guidelines for debt advisors could keep customers in debt for longer by failing to reflect their true financial position, and in the worst case push them into unnecessary and potentially damaging insolvency. The CSA believes that the revised guidelines – presented by the Money Advice Service…

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FCA publishes its 2018/19 business plan

9th April 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its business plan for 2018/19 which sets out the key priorities for the coming year. The FCA says the priorities in this year’s business plan reflect the high level of resource needed to dedicate to European Union (EU) withdrawal, given its impact both on our regulation and the…

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Paperless billing ‘hassle’ for a third of consumers

20th March 2018 Consumer Collections |

Research by GoCompare finds that 80% of UK consumers now receive at least one financial service and utility bill or statement electronically 4 out of 5 (80%) UK consumers now receive at least one paperless bill or statement for a financial product or utility, new research from GoCompare has found. However, the result for many…

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Money Statistics: March 2018

20th March 2018 Consumer Collections |

Here is an overview of The Money Charity’s latest statistics for March 2018: Personal debt in the UK People in the UK owed £1.576 trillion at the end of January 2018. This is up from £1.52 trillion at the end of January 2017– an extra £1,077.51 per UK adult. Per adult in the UK that’s an average debt…

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