Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines

Tuesday 5 November 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The register of judgments, orders and fines in England and Wales aims to support vulnerable debtors by promoting responsible borrowing and enhancing financial transparency.
  • The consultation on including claimant data on the register has recently closed, with the intention to improve financial inclusion by assisting people in resolving judgment debts.
  • Will Stone suggested considering updates to the register such as recording partial settlements to better assist financially vulnerable individuals.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Will Stone Lab Swindon North
Standards & Ethics
Context

The effectiveness of the register for financially vulnerable claimants and debtors is being questioned. There was a recent consultation on including claimant data.

Question

What steps are you taking to ensure that the register of judgments, orders and fines in England and Wales is an effective tool for financially vulnerable claimants and debtors?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

The register plays an important role in helping lenders assess credit worthiness and enhancing financial transparency. These objectives seek to support vulnerable debtors by encouraging and enabling responsible borrowing. A consultation on including claimant data on the register closed recently, with very positive responses, and I hope to announce a way forward imminently.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments or timeline for implementation of claimant data inclusion were not provided.

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Q2 Will Stone Lab Swindon North
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The consultation on including claimant data has been stalled since January. The questioner acknowledges progress but seeks further updates such as recording partial settlements.

Question

I am pleased to hear you are moving forward with the next steps following the consultation. I hope that with care and attention, data protection for claimants will soon be able to be included in the register. Will you also consider other updates like recording partial settlements?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

My hon. Friend raises some interesting points and, as he is, I am always very keen to help people in Swindon. Our focus is on responding to the consultation on including claimant data on the register which would improve financial inclusion by helping people resolve judgment debts. Once our response has been published and any reforms regarding claimant data are implemented, we will consider any wider reforms.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments or timeline for considering updates like recording partial settlements were not provided.

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