IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Campaign win as government announces new changes to strengthen regulation of bailiff industry

27 August 2026

Money and Mental Health is celebrating a campaign win today as the government has announced new changes to crack down on bad bailiff behaviour.

As things stand, bailiffs can break rules because the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) – which regulates the industry – doesn’t have the powers it needs to stop them. 

But the government has announced new changes to give the ECB new powers to force bailiffs to comply with rules. If they fail to do so, the ECB can revoke their licence.

Money and Mental Health has been campaigning for years alongside other charities to get the government to strengthen regulation of the bailiff industry.

Responding to the news, Martin Lewis, Chair of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, said: “Sadly, you’re over three times more likely to be in debt crisis if you have a mental health problem, one result of which is that most people who get a bailiff knocking at their door are vulnerable. Many bailiffs behave fairly – but some have got away with acting with impunity due to the lack of mandatory independent regulation. We’ve long campaigned for that to change as aggressive debt collection can and does destroy lives.

“So we’re delighted the government has listened and made today’s bailiffs announcement – it’s a genuine step forward! Bailiffs will have to comply with the rules or lose their licence. And because regulation is mandatory not opt-in, it should be easier in future to bring in faster, more ambitious compassionate rules. Let’s hope so.”

ENDS

Contact:

For all media enquiries, please contact Brian Semple, Head of External Affairs, on 0207 848 1448 or [email protected].

Notes to Editors

• The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute was set up by Martin Lewis in spring 2016, registered charity number 1166493.
• It conducts research and develops policies for essential services firms, regulators, the health service and government to help people with mental health problems protect themselves from financial difficulties and get out of debt.
• Martin Lewis OBE, Money Saving Expert, is an award-winning campaigning broadcaster, newspaper columnist and author. He founded MoneySavingExpert.com in 2003 for £100 and remains its full-time Editor-in-Chief. It is now the UK’s biggest money site, with more than 14 million monthly users. Martin has his own prime-time ITV programme – The Martin Lewis Money Show – and is resident expert on This Morning, Good Morning Britain and BBC Radio 5 Live’s Consumer Panel, among others.