The Government has no plans to ban councils from using enforcement agents to recover unpaid council tax. Councils are expected to act sympathetically towards those in hardship and use enforcement powers proportionately, but it is right that they retain appropriate tools to recover debt where necessary.

The Government recognises concerns about enforcement agents’ actions when recovering council tax and is taking steps to strengthen the oversight of the enforcement sector. On 28 August 2026, the Minister for Courts and Legal Services announced that all private enforcement agents will be subject to independent oversight by the Enforcement Conduct Board. This will give people who are facing enforcement action and are struggling financially greater protection and access to an independent complaints’ procedure.

The Government is strengthening the regulation of the private enforcement (bailiff) sector. On 28 August 2026, I announced our plans to amend the Certification of Enforcement Agents Regulations 2014 so that enforcement agents may only obtain a certificate to practice if they work for a firm accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) or are accredited by the ECB themselves if operating independently.

In effect, this means all bailiffs will be under the oversight of the ECB. If they do not comply, they will not receive a license to operate.

This will ensure that all enforcement agents undertaking Taking Control of Goods activity are subject to consistent professional standards and oversight, and that those facing enforcement action are able to access an independent complaints process.

Information on the debt collection agencies currently used by HMRC is publicly available on Gov.uk at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/what-will-happen-if-you-do-not-pay-your-tax-bill

Where a Universal Credit award is revised, established processes ensure that any resulting debt impact is communicated to Debt Management so that recovery action can be updated promptly.

Such decisions are processed through established appeals and decision-making processes, and where a claimant’s liability changes, the relevant information is recorded on DWP systems and communicated to Debt Management so that any necessary recovery action can be updated.

In instances where the Student Loan Company’s (SLC) internal appeals and complaints process has been exhausted, borrowers may appeal to the Independent Assessors (IA). IAs are appointed by ministers to review any appeals and complaints made against the SLC and their independence from the SLC provides assurance that the process to consider complaints and appeals is sufficiently rigorous.

In cases where an outstanding balance is identified after a borrower believes they have settled their account in full, regulations provide the SLC with the ability to restart repayments where appropriate. Any action taken will be subject to the circumstances of the individual case and relevant policy considerations.

When a tribunal decision changes a claimant’s benefit entitlement, the decision is implemented through established DWP processes. Where this results in an award overpayment or underpayment, the revised liability is calculated and where appropriate, the relevant information is passed to Debt Management so that any necessary debt recovery adjustments can be completed.

The process in place to prioritise refunds is through a designated inbox, which is monitored daily. If a customer is experiencing financial hardship they should contact DWP Debt Management to discuss their situation, including any follow-up about a potential refund after a successful mandatory reconsideration or appeal dispute.

Where recovery of a commercial debt involves an overseas person or entity subject to UK sanctions, businesses must ensure that any action taken complies with UK sanctions law. In some circumstances, businesses may require a licence from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, where financial sanctions are engaged, or from the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation where trade sanctions activity falls within its remit.

The vast majority of taxpayers pay in full and on time. Most debts are resolved as taxpayers engage with HMRC and agree a way forward. The Government's proposals are intended to ensure fairness for taxpayers who pay what they owe by tackling a small minority who can afford to pay but repeatedly choose not to engage with HMRC despite numerous attempts. Each year, over 750,000 lower-value debts, collectively worth over £2 billion, are returned to HMRC from debt collection agencies where collection was unsuccessful.

As the consultation remains open, no final decisions have been taken on the design of the proposed measure. Therefore, the Government has not made estimates of its potential impacts. A full impact assessment will be published if, and when, legislation is brought forward.

New debt recovery powers agreed by Parliament in the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act are designed to increase fairness and to more effectively and efficiently be able to recover debt from individuals who are not in receipt of benefit or suitable PAYE employment.

These powers will encourage voluntary repayment of debt owed to DWP from those no longer in receipt of benefit or in suitable PAYE employment, as well as ensuring that there is recourse for those who have the means to repay but do not.

In the most serious cases, and where the outstanding debt balance is at least £1000, the Debt Recovery Measure allows DWP to apply to the Magistrates court for consideration of a Disqualification from Driving Order. These powers will be used as a last resort where all other attempts to secure repayment, including recovery directly from a bank account have not been possible. A court cannot grant a disqualification order where the individual has an essential need to drive, and initially any disqualification will be suspended providing the individual maintains the repayment terms set by the court. As part of the passage of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act, detailed Impact Assessments were published and are available online here: Impact assessment published online. The Impact Assessment contains our estimate of the scale of our debtors and debt stock as well as the cost of implementing the measures along with potential savings.

We expect to publish data relating to these measures through our usual routeways for example our Annual Report and Accounts

New debt recovery powers agreed by Parliament in the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act are designed to increase fairness and to more effectively and efficiently be able to recover debt from individuals who are not in receipt of benefit or suitable PAYE employment.

These powers will encourage voluntary repayment of debt owed to DWP from those no longer in receipt of benefit or in suitable PAYE employment, as well as ensuring that there is recourse for those who have the means to repay but do not.

In the most serious cases, and where the outstanding debt balance is at least £1000, the Debt Recovery Measure allows DWP to apply to the Magistrates court for consideration of a Disqualification from Driving Order. These powers will be used as a last resort where all other attempts to secure repayment, including recovery directly from a bank account have not been possible. A court cannot grant a disqualification order where the individual has an essential need to drive, and initially any disqualification will be suspended providing the individual maintains the repayment terms set by the court. As part of the passage of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act, detailed Impact Assessments were published and are available online here: Impact assessment published online. The Impact Assessment contains our estimate of the scale of our debtors and debt stock as well as the cost of implementing the measures along with potential savings.

We expect to publish data relating to these measures through our usual routeways for example our Annual Report and Accounts

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has no plans to make a specific assessment of the merits of private debt recovery practices for fuel transactions. However, the Government expects all firms to treat individuals in debt fairly and to act in a responsible manner. Under general commercial law, businesses may claim reasonable debt recovery costs and interest on late payments. The specific imposition of administration fees by private firms in fuel recovery is a commercial matter, though such fees must remain transparent and proportionate to the costs incurred.

The Government funds free, impartial debt advice for people struggling with problem debt. Individuals can use the MoneyHelper debt advice locator tool to find an advisor - https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/debt-advice-locator

The ten-minute grace period at the end of a paid-for parking period was introduced to recognise that drivers could arrive slightly late to their vehicle for reasons beyond their control. In this situation, a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) would be able to ascertain the precise time from which parking had been paid. This would not be possible with an equivalent concession at the beginning of a paid-for parking period, thus opening up the potential for drivers to delay paying until such time as a CEO is observed.

A requirement for transparency on matters relating to civil parking enforcement is enshrined in the Secretary of State's statutory guidance for local authorities in England on civil enforcement of parking contraventions. The guidance references the applicable legislation regarding debt collections. It applies at local authority owned or operated car parks and at the end of paid-for and free on-street parking in England. Private and off-street parking companies are the policy responsibility of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

This Government recognises and values the vital contribution made by unpaid carers every day in providing significant care and continuity of support to family and friends with disabilities.

Overpayments can arise for a number of reasons. With respect to those linked to the treatment of earnings in Carer’s Allowance, we inherited a system where some busy carers, already struggling under a huge weight of caring responsibilities, found themselves with unexpected debts. We commissioned an Independent Review, led by Liz Sayce OBE, to investigate why overpayments occurred, how people affected can be better supported, and what changes are needed to prevent similar issues in future. We have published the findings of the Review, acknowledged the shortcomings identified, apologised to those affected, and accepted in full or in part 38 of the Review’s 40 recommendations.

We do not record the reason for Carer’s Allowance overpayments where we do not seek to recover those overpayments and therefore the earnings-related overpayments referred to Debt Management are not available. Therefore the information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.