Oral Answers to Questions

Will Stone Excerpts

Tuesday 5th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Sir Nicholas Dakin]

The hon. Member draws attention to an issue. If she would like to write to me about that particular incident, I will write back to her.

[Will Stone (Swindon North) (Lab)]

7. What steps she is taking to ensure that the register of judgments, orders and fines in England and Wales is an effective tool for financially vulnerable claimants and debtors.

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Heidi Alexander)]

The register plays an important role in helping lenders assess credit worthiness and enhancing financial transparency. These objectives seek to support vulnerable debtors by encouraging and enabling responsible borrowing. A consultation on including claimant data on the register closed recently. Responses to it were very positive and I hope to announce a way forward imminently.

[Will Stone]

I am pleased to hear the Minister is moving forward with the next steps following the consultation. I would further like to congratulate the Minister on moving swiftly on this matter, especially as the consultation had been stalled since January. I hope that with care and attention, data protection for claimants will soon be able to be included in the register. Will the Minister also consider other updates to the register, such as recording partial settlements and shifting the burden of proof on debt satisfaction? That would really help my constituents in Swindon.

[Heidi Alexander]

My hon. Friend raises some interesting points and, as he is, I am always very keen to help people in Swindon. Our focus is on responding to the consultation on including claimant data on the register, which would improve financial inclusion by helping people to resolve judgment debts. Once our response has been published and any reforms regarding claimant data are implemented, we will consider any wider reforms.