Website of the UK government

Real help for consumers

The measures announced today cover a range of topics, from debt advice to credit cards, all designed to help consumers during the downturn:

• credit cards - stopping lenders from raising credit card borrowing limits where customers have not requested the increase and preventing firms sending unrequested credit card cheques
  
• National Fraud Strategy - measures to tackle fraud which costs the UK £14 billion a year, and protecting consumers from mass marketed frauds such as bogus lotteries, get rich quick schemes and investment scams
  
• Debt Relief Orders - from April, people on low incomes with limited debts will be able to write off their debts and start again after a period of 12 months
  
• debt advice - review of the provision of debt advice to tackle any gap between supply and demand to make the most of the existing network of providers

• Credit cards and debt

• Buying on credit: options, pros and cons

• Where to get advice and support on debt

• Debt repayment options - a guide

Tightening regulations for bailiffs

Plans to tighten the regulations for bailiffs have also been announced. These new regulations are likely to take effect in 2012.

The new regulations will aim to clarify:

• when and how a bailiff can enter somebody's premises
  
• what goods they can and cannot seize and sell
  
• what fees they can charge

A number of measures have been introduced ahead of this full independent regulation.

These include:

• an online certificated bailiff register allowing debtors to check bailiffs' certification status
  
• an extension to the certification process to ensure that all bailiffs provide a Criminal Records Bureau check with their application
  
• minimum training requirements and competences for inclusion in the certification process

• Bailiffs and debt collectors

• Dealing with loan sharks