Safeguarding measures to shield children against bailiff action
Neil Puffett
Friday, February 17, 2012
Safeguards to protect children from "intrusive and stressful" bailiffs are to be introduced by the government.
A consultation launched today (17 February) sets out proposals that will seek to prohibit the use of force by bailiffs and provide specific safeguards to protect children.
Regulations will eventually be produced outlining circumstances in which a bailiff must not take control of goods.
Children under the age of 16 and vulnerable people who are not the debtor will be protected where they are the only people present, meaning bailiffs will not be able to enter the property.
Justice minister Jonathan Djanogly said: "Too many people have experienced intrusive, expensive and stressful bailiff action and more often than not the public do not hold bailiffs in high regard, despite the fact most bailiffs carry out their work professionally.
"We want to restore balance to the system, improve clarity for both debtors and creditors, strengthen protection for vulnerable people and ensure that individuals, business and government are able to collect the debts they are owed – but in a way that is fair and regulated by law."
Family Action welcomed moves to stamp out bad practice and cowboy bailiffs. However, chief executive Helen Dent added: "More needs to be done by government to ensure that the poorest have access to bank accounts, affordable credit and decent welfare support so that bailiffs visits are a final option rather than a common occurrence for families whose finances are squeezed."
The news comes as concerns continue over the impact of the economic situation on families across the UK. Yesterday, a survey by parenting website Netmums found that more than 70 per cent of families are on the edge of financial meltdown.
