Bailiffs

Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames Excerpts

Tuesday 14th May 2013 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hanham]

My Lords, the changes to housing benefit are relatively new so I am not sure what the article was about. I can say no more, other than that local authorities will be expected to work closely and sensibly with bailiffs in a proper way.

[Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames]

My Lords, if local authorities are to pay commission to bailiffs, is there not a very real concern that those same local authorities will act more aggressively in enforcement than they might otherwise do?

[Baroness Hanham]

My Lords, local authorities enable bailiffs to charge fees; that is the financial arrangement between them. On the question of the debt that is owed to the local authority, it will collect that in whatever way it can, but the fees charged are the bailiff’s concern.