Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if his Department will make an assessment with the Enforcement Conduct Board of the potential merits of introducing regulatory changes relating to the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 separately to implementing the uplift to the fees recoverable for (a) High Court and (b) non-High Court enforcement.

On 17 July 2023, following a review of the fees that enforcement agents and High Court Enforcement Officers can recover when using the taking control of goods procedure, we announced that we intended to amend the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 to uplift such fees by 5%. We also announced that we would consult on reforms that aimed to encourage earlier and cheaper settlement of debt. We said that we would implement any reforms and the fee uplifts at the same time, in order to balance the need to ensure that there is a sustainable enforcement industry with making sure that those facing enforcement action are treated fairly. That consultation closed on 6 December 2023.

We received detailed feedback from a wide range of stakeholders and the Enforcement Conduct Board have been consulted. A response to the consultation will be published and a timetable for implementation will be announced in due course.