Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Bailiffs

Tuesday 17 March 2026 · 3 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 Government supports the Enforcement Conduct Board's work to raise standards in the enforcement industry.
  • The Government plans to announce next steps for an independent regulatory framework for bailiffs in due course.
  • The Government aims to uplift fixed fees for enforcement agents to create a sustainable and effective enforcement sector.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gill Furniss Lab Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
Justice & Courts
Context

A county court bailiff was killed last week while on duty, prompting concerns about violence against enforcement staff.

Question

What steps he is taking to help improve standards in the bailiff industry. I welcome the Government's commitment to legislating for a statutory bailiff regulator. Research by StepChange and others has uncovered shocking cases that show why that is urgently needed, including a bailiff pushing someone through their front door and then laughing when they said that they had mental health issues. Will the Minister tell the House when we can expect that legislation to reach the statute books?

Answer from Sarah Sackman

Before answering, I extend my condolences to Jeff Blair's family and friends. The Government supports the Enforcement Conduct Board's work to raise standards in the enforcement industry. We have consulted on an independent regulatory framework and will announce next steps in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or date for legislation announcement

How: Will Announce Next Steps In Due Course

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Q2 Gill Furniss Lab Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

A county court bailiff was killed last week while on duty, prompting concerns about violence against enforcement staff. Research has uncovered shocking cases of unregulated bailiffs abusing vulnerable people.

Question

What steps he is taking to help improve standards in the bailiff industry. I welcome the Government's commitment to legislating for a statutory bailiff regulator. Research by StepChange and others has uncovered shocking cases that show why that is urgently needed, including a bailiff pushing someone through their front door and then laughing when they said that they had mental health issues. Will the Minister tell the House when we can expect that legislation to reach the statute books?

Answer from Sarah Sackman

I join my hon. Friend in endorsing StepChange's work. The indignity described by the hon. Lady reinforces why we need legislation. We have consulted on how to legislate, and as I said before, we will announce next steps in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or date for legislation announcement

How: Will Announce Next Steps In Due Course

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Q3 Gavin Williamson Con Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge
Employment Business & Trade
Context

Many small businesses struggle to recover money owed to them due to a lack of court bailiffs.

Question

I very much associate myself with the Minister's words on the sad loss. She touched on the important issue of the vital role that court bailiffs play. Many small businesses are struggling to recover money because of a lack of court bailiffs. What actions are the Government looking to take to increase the number of court bailiffs, in order to help small businesses recover the money that they are owed?

Answer from Sarah Sackman

As we want to protect debtors, we also need to ensure creditors can recover funds. That is why we plan to uplift fixed fees for enforcement agents to create a sustainable and effective enforcement sector.

Not addressed: Specific actions to increase number of court bailiffs

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