PM Burnham unveils crackdown on rogue bailiffs and cowboy builders in England and Wales

New rules aim to protect vulnerable debtors from aggressive behaviour and homeowners from rip-off tradespeople as part of the government’s ‘everyday fixes’ agenda

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By LineZotpaper

Published28 August 2026

Read Time3 min

Sources2 outlets

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a clampdown on rogue bailiffs and cowboy builders in England and Wales, introducing stricter regulations to protect people in debt from overcharging and aggressive behaviour, and to stop homeowners being ripped off by unscrupulous tradespeople.

The measures, unveiled as part of what Burnham called a series of ‘everyday fixes’ to ease the cost of living and ‘make Britain fairer’, target two areas of long-standing consumer complaint: the enforcement of debt collection and the quality of home improvement work.

Under the new rules, bailiffs operating in England and Wales will face tighter oversight, with limits placed on the fees they can charge and stronger penalties for aggressive or intimidating conduct. The government said the changes were driven by evidence that vulnerable people in debt were being overcharged and subjected to behaviour that exacerbated financial and emotional distress.

‘No one should be made to feel afraid in their own home because of debt collection practices,’ Burnham said in a statement. ‘These reforms will ensure bailiffs act fairly and proportionately, while still allowing legitimate debts to be recovered.’

Separately, the government announced a crackdown on ‘cowboy builders’ — rogue tradespeople who carry out substandard work or overcharge homeowners, often preying on those who cannot afford proper legal recourse. The new regulations will introduce mandatory registration for certain types of home improvement contractors, a code of practice for building work, and a faster, cheaper dispute resolution mechanism for homeowners.

Consumer groups broadly welcomed the move, though some warned that enforcement would be key. ‘Stronger rules are only as good as the people enforcing them,’ said a spokesperson for the Money Advice Trust. ‘We urge the government to ensure councils and the courts have the resources to take action against those who flout the law.’

The announcement is the latest in a string of consumer-focused policies from the Burnham administration, which has made addressing everyday financial pressures a central pillar of its agenda. Previous ‘everyday fixes’ have included caps on energy prepayment meter charges and reforms to car insurance pricing.

Critics, however, argue that the measures do not tackle the root causes of debt and poor building work. The Institute of Economic Affairs suggested that the bailiff reforms could make it harder for creditors to recover money, potentially leading to higher interest rates for borrowers. Meanwhile, the Federation of Master Builders said it had long called for a licensing system and welcomed the move, but stressed that most small builders were honest and should not be tarred by the actions of a minority.

The new rules are expected to come into force in early 2027, with a consultation on the detailed regulations opening later this year.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Direct impact on millions: The reforms will affect anyone in England and Wales who faces debt enforcement or hires a builder — a vast number of households.
Cost of living context: The crackdown comes amid persistent cost-of-living pressures, making consumer protection a high-stakes political issue.
Precedent for further regulation: Success with these ‘everyday fixes’ could lead to broader regulation of other industries like letting agents or used car dealers.

Background

For years, consumer groups have documented cases of bailiffs adding excessive fees — sometimes doubling the original debt — and using aggressive tactics like entering homes without proper notice or seizing essential goods. Similarly, a 2023 Citizens Advice report found that nearly half of UK homeowners who had building work done experienced problems, with many unable to get redress. Previous governments introduced voluntary codes but resisted mandatory regulation, citing concerns about burdening legitimate businesses. The Burnham administration, elected on a platform of making markets fairer, has moved more aggressively, starting with the energy sector and now extending to debt enforcement and home improvement.

Key Perspectives

[Consumer advocates]: Groups like Citizens Advice and the Money Advice Trust strongly welcome the measures, saying they close longstanding loopholes that allowed bad actors to exploit vulnerable people. They stress that enforcement funding is critical. [Building and debt collection industries]: The Federation of Master Builders supports licensing but warns against over-regulation that penalizes honest firms. Debt collection trade bodies argue that tougher bailiff rules could reduce the effectiveness of debt recovery, potentially making credit more expensive for borrowers. [Free-market critics]: Organisations like the Institute of Economic Affairs argue the reforms interfere with contractual freedom and may lead to unintended consequences, such as higher interest rates or reduced access to building services in low-income areas.

What to Watch

The upcoming consultation: The detailed regulations — especially fee caps and the scope of mandatory builder registration — will determine how strong the crackdown really is.
Enforcement resourcing: Whether the government allocates new funding to Trading Standards and county courts to handle complaints and prosecutions.
Early impact data: First-year statistics on complaints and enforcement actions will show whether the rules are working or need adjustment.

Sources

Burnham announces crackdown on rogue bailiffs and ‘cowboy builders’ — World news | The Guardian
Burnham announces crackdown on rogue bailiffs and ‘cowboy builders’ — Business | The Guardian