“cracking down on cowboy builders and rogue bailiffs,”

Having work done on your house is a significant financial commitment. Whether it’s a new roof, an extension, repairs or improvements, people should be able to expect that when they pay for a job, it’ll be done properly and their money will be protected.

Sadly, that’s not always the case.

That's why the Labour Government is cracking down on cowboy builders and rogue bailiffs, as part of a wider programme of practical measures to help families with the cost of living and make everyday life a little fairer.

The scale of the problem is shocking. More than one in four UK adults who have had home improvement work carried out in the past 18 months experienced problems. More than a third of those affected faced additional costs, losing an average of £750. In 2024 alone, consumers lost more than £10.3 billion through losses, inflated costs and unfair practices relating to home and garden maintenance.

The Government's new measures will make it easier for people to identify reputable traders. From September, a new Government-supported scheme will help people find trusted businesses, with participating firms required to meet higher standards around customer service, transparency and dispute resolution.

There’s also going to be a new system designed to protect people's money during building projects, with payments linked to key milestones. That means, rather than handing over a large amount of money upfront and hoping that the work is completed, people can have it held securely and released in parts as the work gets done.

This is good news for residents across our communities. We all know how quickly an unexpected problem with a roof, boiler or other part of a home can become expensive. Nobody should have to worry that asking someone to carry out essential work could leave them thousands of pounds out of pocket.

We’re also taking action to protect people in debt.

Bailiffs have an important role to play, but people who are already struggling financially shouldn’t be intimidated or pressured into repayment arrangements that leave them unable to afford life's essentials.

Private bailiffs in England and Wales will now face stronger professional standards and mandatory independent oversight. Bailiffs will need to be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board, or work for an enforcement firm that is accredited, to obtain or renew the certificate they need to operate.

Importantly, the Labour Government is also looking at the wider consumer protection system, including how organisations such as Citizens Advice and Trading Standards work with regulators and redress schemes. The aim is to make it easier for people to get help when something goes wrong, rather than being passed from one organisation to another – something we’ve all experienced.

These changes are about a simple principle: people should get a fair deal.

Whether you’re paying a builder to improve your home or trying to manage a difficult financial situation, you deserve to be treated fairly, with respect and with proper protection.

That is what this Labour Government is determined to deliver.