Bailiff Reforms

Debate between Lord Keen of Elie and Lord Howell of Guildford

Thursday 17th October 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Keen of Elie]

It would be premature to commit on a matter still under consideration by the ministry. We have proposed as a manifesto commitment to introduce the breathing space scheme, which will give debtors 60 days in which interest charges on their debts are frozen and in which they can seek further advice. We also established the Money and Pensions Service in January 2019, merging three former organisations to provide free-to-use financial guidance for those who find themselves in debt.

[Lord Howell of Guildford (Con)]

My Lords, I think I am right that paragraph 14 of Magna Carta undertakes to halt unreasonable and unfair bailiff entry behaviour. Do we not need to proceed rather carefully on this matter?

[Lord Keen of Elie]

I bow to the noble Lord’s detailed knowledge of Magna Carta on this point.