Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
UK Finance has warned that home repossessions may surge tenfold in 2022 as coronavirus support measures come to an end, saying that while 2,900 properties were repossessed by lenders in 2020, this could rise to 22,300 in 2022. Around 81,300 households were in home loan arrears last year, but figures suggest this could climb to…
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BT Group is facing a class-action lawsuit over claims it failed to compensate elderly customers who were overcharged for landlines for eight years. In 2017, telecoms watchdog Ofcom found that BT had been overcharging 2.3 million landline customers since 2009. Law firm Mishcon de Reya has launched an opt-out collective action, Justin Le Patourel v…
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The Government must immediately stop all bailiff doorstep visits to prevent serious risks to public health, a coalition of charities has warned. Taking Control, a group campaigning for regulation of the bailiff industry, is urging the government to extend the suspension of bailiff enforcement of rental evictions (announced on Friday 8th January) to include a…
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed an extension to a ban on repossessions until April. The updated guidance on mortgages and consumer credit repossessions. follows a November announcement on further support for mortgage and consumer credit borrowers experiencing payment difficulties as a result of the pandemic. This included guidance for firms on the treatment of…
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The Government has launched a new consultation which is launched aimed at extending debt solutions and helping vulnerable people in financial distress get a fresh start. The proposals have been outlined by the Government to increase the financial eligibility criteria for debt relief orders (DROs), helping more people deal with financial difficulties to get a…
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The Government has extended the eviction ban, which was due to end on Monday 11th January (today), The Government says that renters will continue to be supported during the new national restrictions, with an extension to the ban on bailiff evictions for all but the most egregious cases for at least 6 weeks –until at least…
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The UK’s two leading enforcement association trade bodies the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA) and the High Court Enforcement Officers Association (HCOEA) and Just have welcomed the High Court judgment on non-entry Controlled Goods Agreements. CIVEA, the HCEOA and Just have issued this joint statement which also invites the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to review the…
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Ascent Performance Group, the financial services outsourcing business and part of the Irwin Mitchell Group, has announced that it has acquired Excel Collection and Enquiry Services. Ascent says that the deal will strengthen its market-leading position in the provision of field and affordability services to major financial institutions such as banks and building societies. The…
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A new report by the Credit Services Association (CSA) says that taxpayers could be saved huge sums if debt collectors are allowed to take on a bigger role in collecting unpaid coronavirus loans. The trade body is calling for an investment in BBL Engagement Scheme and use of professional collections agencies to ensure fair and…
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Half a million private renters in the UK are behind on their rent, with protections against eviction due to expire this weekend, according to new analysis by Citizens Advice. The charity has warned that the news comes as the country enters another period of national lockdown, causing further economic hardship. Renters have already been badly…
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has appointed Quilter CEO Paul Feeney as the Chair of its independent Practitioner Panel. Feeney will take up the post from 1 January 2021, succeeding Tulsi Naidu, CEO of Zurich UK. He has been a member of the Panel since 2015. Welcoming the appointment, the FCA’s Chair Charles Randell said…
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Credit Connect has published its second annual Credit & Collections Technology company power list for 2020. The power listed is a round-up of the most prominent innovating companies within credit and collections technology. Within the list, Credit Connect has identified the top 20 ‘Premier’ innovators highlighting the achievements and successes of the top-performing companies. The…
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Over 800,000 private renters in England and Wales have built rent arrears since lockdown measures began according to estimates from new research by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA). A survey of tenants for the Association by consultancy Dynata suggests that 7 per cent of private renters have built arrears due to Covid-19 pandemic. Applied…
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