Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to undertake a review of private debt‑recovery practices for unpaid fuel transactions; what assessment his Department has made of the (a) fairness and (b) impact on consumers of private debt‑recovery practices in this area; and what steps his Department is taking to improve debt‑collection practices.

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