If you were hoping the government would keep a promise re bailiffs...

[DonkeyB]

This report shows the progress of The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. The Ministry of Justice section of this will be relevant to the actions and rights of bailiffs.

 

Basically this report says that sod all has been done, across most areas of government. Apart from compiling a few lists. It’s depressing reading.

 

Expect the industries involved (with their businesses to protect) to drag this process out for so long that it eventually gets kicked into touch.

 

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/legislation/powers-entry/first-progress-report

 

Ministry of Justice (MOJ)

 

MOJ have confirmed the 30 powers of entry that it is responsible for and identified policy leads

responsible in each case. Information on the process has been circulated to MOJ policy leads

and all specific policy teams have been requested to initiate reviews of their powers of entry.

 

No reviews have been concluded yet so it is not possible to say the number of powers for

removal, amalgamation and retaining.

 

MoJ started the statutory review process in early 2012 and work is progressing on a number of

areas with discussions and consultations taking place between MOJ policy teams and the relevant

interested parties. MOJ expect to make further progress over the coming months and remains on

track to conclude the review and present its findings in a final report by early 2014.

[citizenB]

On top of which they have awarded Rossendales, the highest prestigious government standard award !!

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?379787-Rossendales-Secure-Prestigious-Government-Standard

[DonkeyB]

If you think today's announcement is just a coincidence, well... you might think that, but I couldn't possibly comment.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21191318

 

Look closely. This is no more than a press release, with no flesh on the bones. This is a reiteration of what has already been promised pre-election, but bailiffs' powers of entry are necessarily related to the bill linked in my first post. The latest 'news' can't really happen till the first bill is law.

 

Hopefully the government realises the seriousness of this problem - as the economy tanks, more and more middle class voters will have to deal with DCAs. There's votes in this. With a bit if luck, things might move quicker.

 

So, coincidence? I think not. Let's all keep on their backs!

[DonkeyB]

Bear in mind also that most of these proposed 'changes' relate to actions that are already illegal but which are not monitored.

 

Here's a quote from a victim, from the BBC story:

 

Sian Meredith, a victim of bad behaviour from bailiffs and a campaigner, said the legislation was long overdue and "very badly needed".

 

Recounting her own experience, she said: "I purchased a property and it was the debt of the previous owner who had left two years previously. It was a very old debt.

 

"They were threatening to clamp and remove vehicles and I was powerless to stop them. It took the involvement of my member of Parliament to stop them.

 

"They intimidate and they bully, and they overcharge. Overcharging is one of the main issues.

 

"I think the government are only really scratching the surface of this. I mean there's no mention of an independent regulator in what's being proposed... or a proper complaints procedure.

 

"I can't see a lot changing, other than the fact that the government are going to enforce the charging structures, which is the main good news about this."

Edited January 25, 2013 by DonkeyB

[LaughingGirl]

I'm glad somebody mentioned that, because I thought I was going crackers when I read that report on the BBC. I just read it and thought 'What changes??!'.

 

Anyone fancy a Freedom of Information request to find out how much this 'consultation' cost, to decide that they were just going to have the same laws and regulations as they had before?

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

My guess is now that one of the biggest firms in the bailiff business has won a major Government contract we may see somme ''surface'' control of thei actions but what goes on below ''the waterline'' will see little change.

[DonkeyB]

How ironic that the ‘sherriffs’ are just now on BBC1. Bailiffs by any other name. And they all look like steroid-pumped bully boys (not saying they are, of course). Funny how they behave properly when the cameras are on them...

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

No streoids just fat greedy barstewards.