Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
A new report by The Treasury Select Committee says debts and overpayments are often pursued “over-zealously and uncompromisingly” by councils. In its report, it calls for public sector bodies to change the way they recoup debts. A summary overview of the report says that people become over-indebted not just through conventional credit, but through arrears on…
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Almost nine in 10 local authorities are not monitoring their supply chain and therefore ensuring getting paid within 30-days, breaching Whitehall regulations to ensure prompt payment. The research has revealed the minimal effort that local authorities have focused on prompt payment. The research by construction trade body, the Electrical Contractors Association and Building Services Association (BESA), obtained…
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The National Housing Federation, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Community Housing Cymru and the Northern Irish Federation of Housing Associations, are joining together to warn that the Universal Credit system is “flawed” and causing debt, suffering and hardship for the families they house. Together these organisations represent more than 1,000 housing associations housing over…
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Local authorities could save thousands of pounds by using digital debt recovery instead of resorting to traditional solutions like bailiffs according to new research by Essendex. Figures show that around £2.8bn of outstanding council tax was owed to local authorities in England as of March 2017 – with many councils struggling to claw back the money.…
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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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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…
Read moreLiverpool 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…
Read moreSouth 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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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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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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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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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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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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