Local Authority Collections

Scottish ministers face calls to act over high street alternative lenders

Scottish Councils could be handed more powers to limit the number of controversial pay day loan shops opening on Scotland’s high streets. The Scottish Government has faced calls to introduce legislation even though there is now a cap of 0.8 per cent APR on the amount pay day loan firms can charge, campaigners have expressed concern…

Aberdeen City Council wrote off £183,000 last year

Struggling businesses could face earlier intervention after the amount of business rates lost by Aberdeen City Council soared sixfold in the space of two years. Finance convenor Willie Young promised a “more proactive” pursuit of debtors after the local authority was forced to write off almost £183,000 last year. Since 2010, the council has written…

CYBG confirms Williams & Glyn takeover talks

http://www.cityam.com/252276/challenger-bank-cybg-confirms-williams-glyn-takeover-talks

New single body to launch to advise public on debt

The Government has announced that they will be creating a new single public body responsible for delivering advice to consumers on money, debt and pensions. The new service will replace the Money Advice Service (MAS). The government thinks a single advisory body will be more efficient but has yet to decide how the new service will…

Government to restart sale of Bradford & Bingley loans

The government has resumed the sale of a failed bank’s £15.65 billion pound mortgage portfolio after it was delayed in the aftermath of the country’s vote to leave the European Union. UK Asset Resolution, which is selling off the Bradford & Bingley loans, is planning to send out non-disclosure agreements to prospective bidders this week,…

Council tax arrears is the biggest debt problem in Wales

A new report from Citizens Advice Wales “Fairness for all – Improving council tax debt collection in Wales” highlights the findings of research undertaken to better understand the recent increase in council tax arrears seen over the last few years. Council tax arrears is now the largest debt issue representing 13%t  of all debt issues. Council…

Staffordshire and Black Country councils owed tens of millions

Government figures reveal that tens of millions of pounds in unpaid council tax and business rates is owed to councils across the Black Country and Staffordshire. The figures owed are as follows: Walsall £20.3 million Sandwell £23.3 million Wolverhampton £14.7 million Dudley £8.7 million Cannock £6 million Stafford £4.4 million  

Rossendales confirms FCA authorisation

Marston Holdings (Marston) has confirmed that subsidiary Rossendales has been granted full authorisation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Rossendales is the second Marston business to become fully authorised. Burlington Credit was authorised in 2014.  

Policy changes to blame for Universal Credit delay

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has blamed policy changes for the delay in Universal Credit rollout. Damien Green, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, issued a statement to parliament outlining three major changes to the roll-out. The full statement can be found here. Source: Parliament UK

Bailiffs, Government and Councils ranked most unfair in dealing with debt

A report by charity Stepchange has found that  bailiffs, government departments and bailiffs are among the most unfair when dealing with people in problem debt. The report titled Creditor and debt collector conduct: What’s making debt problems worse? also found that some creditors are failing to take vulnerabilities such as depression and other ongoing mental health conditions into…

Civil Servants Credit Union to launch

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a Credit Union for civil servants. The DWP has around 85,000 employees. The DWP has set up the scheme with 3 Credit Unions – Commsave, Hull & East Yorkshire and Voyager Alliance.

UK Asset Resolution (UKAR) agreed to sell a £13 billion asset portfolio

UK Asset Resolution (UKAR) agreed to sell a £13 billion asset portfolio from the legacy book of NRAM (including £12 billion of loans within the Granite securitisation vehicle, plus a further £1billion of non-Granite assets) to Cerberus Capital Management LP.

UK Asset Resolution (UKAR) announces the transfer of its mortgage servicing operations to Computershare