News
Senedd debate calls for greater regulation for debt collectors
A BACKBENCHER has led a debate on debt collection amid concerns that bad behaviour is the norm rather than the exception among bailiffs.
Labour’s Jack Sargeant led a Senedd debate calling for greater regulation of debt collectors in Wales.
The Alyn and Deeside MS brought forward the proposal after The Times exposed British Gas debt collectors joking as they forced their way into the homes of vulnerable customers.
He said: “And the more I read about the behaviour of debt collectors and bailiffs, the more determined I became to do something.
Mr Sargeant told the chamber that a third of people contacted by bailiffs during the cost-of-living crisis have experienced behaviours that broke the rules.
“Many have faced intimidating behaviour,” he said. “For instance, a single mother was woken up at 6am, while it was still dark, by male bailiffs knocking on the door.
“Her children were scared and she became too anxious to sleep.”
‘Huge toll’
Mr Sargeant raised concerns about misinformation, citing the example of a company in Wales telling people they can be imprisoned, which has not been the case since 2019.
He said a widow’s car was clamped, stopping her getting to work in the ambulance service, despite her having paid off council tax debt with inheritance from her late husband.
He told MSs that half of people contacting Citizens Advice for help with debt collectors are in council tax arrears as he backed the charity’s calls for a statutory code of practice.
Mr Sargeant said: “Indebtedness and, in particular, the involvement of debt collectors and bailiffs, takes a huge toll on people’s physical and mental health.”
Mark Isherwood shared his concerns but warned that lawyers have advised that a bill to regulate debt collection and enforcement would be outside of the Senedd’s powers.
‘Unworkable’
The Conservative MS for North Wales argued a code of practice could only be voluntary, suggesting this would make the proposal unworkable.
Mr Isherwood highlighted an existing legal requirement for a debt collection agency to register and follow guidelines set out by the Financial Conduct Authority.
He said debt recovery that would be deemed harassment is not allowed, including entering a debtor’s home without consent or pressuring people to make payments they cannot afford.
Sioned Williams warned that people have been pushed into Victorian levels of poverty.
The Plaid Cymru politician raised the equality committee’s report on unsustainable debt fuelled by the cost-of-living crisis which painted a bleak picture.
She said: “What is frustrating is that the urgent steps needed to prevent people from falling into the debt trap, outlined in our most important recommendations, haven’t been taken yet.”
The South Wales West MS backed Mr Sargeant’s motion, which called for a duty on public bodies to only use debt collectors that sign up to a code of conduct.
Mike Hedges told the chamber that people need support with underlying issues such as substance abuse and gambling addiction.
“Most end up in debt due to a catastrophic occurrence in their lives,” said the Labour MS for Swansea East, who raised concerns about lax background checks by debt collection firms.
‘Debt bonfire’
Jane Dodds, the Lib Dem leader in Wales, called for a “debt bonfire” which would see the Welsh Government buy bad debt and cancel it for the poorest people in Wales.
While agreeing with the motion’s principles, Jane Hutt said powers on the debt enforcement industry are not devolved as she called for more effective regulation at a UK level.
The social justice minister told MSs the Welsh Government has taken steps within its powers to ensure the collection of council tax arrears is managed in a just and sensitive way.
Ms Hutt said: “All the local authorities have made a commitment to implement the council tax protocol for Wales, an important step to changing the culture of council tax enforcement.”
She added that ministers would abstain but Labour backbenchers would have a free vote on the member’s legislative proposal.
During plenary on Wednesday December 13, the motion was agreed with 27 for, 25 abstentions and none against.
MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL is inviting residents to put forward their local heroes for recognition in this year’s Citizens’ Awards.
The annual awards celebrate the efforts of individuals and groups who go above and beyond to make Milford Haven a better place—voluntarily and without any form of payment.
Nominations are now open, and members of the public are encouraged to take a moment to think about those who deserve a special thank you. Whether it’s someone who supports vulnerable neighbours, leads a youth group, organises community events, or simply goes out of their way to help others, the Town Council wants to hear about them.
A spokesperson for the council said: “These awards are a fantastic way to recognise the unsung heroes of our town—the people whose efforts too often go unnoticed. If you know someone who gives their time freely to benefit the local community, we urge you to nominate them.”
Nominations must be submitted by 12:00pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
To obtain a nomination form:
- Email: admin@milfordhaven-tc.gov.wales
- Contact the Town Council via its Facebook page
- Telephone: 01646 692505 to request a postal form
Please note: Awards can only be granted to those working in a voluntary capacity, and previous award recipients are not eligible for nomination.
For inspiration, you can view highlights from last year’s ceremony via Milford Haven Town Council’s Facebook page:
facebook.com/milfordhaventowncouncil/posts/pfbid02f7WhKXhjtDxEqV68ujznDvFX89yhBYe8dQgXtqqY19Yb7bC7SeNYW6Ua42E4Ehevl
The council encourages everyone to get involved and help shine a light on the incredible community spirit that defines Milford Haven.
CAPTURING the authentic sound and spirit of The Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band In The World, NOT THE ROLLING STONES have played festivals, theatres and private gigs throughout Europe, the middle east and the UK. This May, they will appear here on the Torch Stage in Pembrokeshire!
Featuring the best Mick Jagger lookalike you will ever see, truly international tribute act in demand all over Europe as well as the UK, will take you back to the Golden Age of The Stones- from Satisfaction to Sympathy for the Devil… You won’t believe it’s not Jagger!
Based on the Rolling Stones, an English rock band formed in London in 1962 and active for over six decades, they were one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the rock era and pioneered the gritty, rhythmically driven sound that came to define hard rock, and Not The Rolling Stones carry on that legacy today.
They have the unique asset of a ‘Mick and Keith’ who stagger audiences with their authenticity, also attested by the many TV and film credits they have between them.
Backed by a superb group of professional musicians that love the music they are playing; they convey their enthusiasm for the work of the world’s greatest rock and roll band.
Not the Rolling Stones will be on the Torch Theatre stage on Friday 16 May at 7.30pm. Tickets are £25. Visit the website for further details www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.
Financial exports soar by 63.5% to £4.3bn
WALES has outpaced every other part of Great Britain in export growth for financial and related professional services, according to a new report by TheCityUK.
The report, Exporting from across Britain: Financial and related professional services 2025, reveals that exports from Wales surged by 63.5% in 2022, reaching £4.3bn—significantly ahead of the national average.
Across Great Britain, total financial and related professional services exports rose by 18.4% to £158bn, with nearly half (47%) generated outside London. Wales contributed 2.9% of the UK’s total financial services exports and 2% of the related professional services total.
The report provides a breakdown of 2022 data by region and nation, highlighting the growing contribution of areas outside London in strengthening the UK’s role as a global financial centre.
In terms of export destinations, 27% of Wales’s financial services exports went to the European Union, with the remaining 73% reaching markets across the rest of the world.
Tom Bray, TheCityUK Chair for Wales and Senior Office Partner (Cardiff) at Eversheds Sutherland, said: “It’s great to see such strong growth in Wales for financial and related professional services exports. Our skill and ability to provide high-quality financial and professional services plays an important role in driving growth in Wales, creating jobs and opportunities for communities across the nation.”
Anjalika Bardalai, Chief Economist and Head of Research at TheCityUK, added: “In 2022, Wales had an extremely strong year of export growth, albeit from a lower base than most regions. Nearly half of all UK exports in financial and related services now come from outside London, reinforcing the UK’s strength as an international financial hub and the importance of regional contributions.”
Policy recommendations
TheCityUK report also outlines a series of recommendations for industry, government, and regulators to support export growth in Wales and beyond. These fall under three key areas:
1. Improving access to trade opportunities
- Better coordination between UK government, devolved administrations, and investment bodies.
- Align local growth strategies with national trade goals.
- Launch a pilot national brokerage scheme to connect capital with investable projects.
2. Expanding global market access
- Finalise FTAs with Switzerland and India, ensuring better market access and digital trade provisions.
- Use talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council to promote regulatory cooperation.
- Strengthen regulatory dialogues with major markets like the US, EU, Japan, and Singapore.
- Replicate successful models like the UK-Switzerland MRA with other global financial centres.
- Encourage domestic and international investment into UK scale-up businesses.
3. Positioning the UK for future demand
- Make the UK a global hub for data, tech, and innovation.
- Establish the UK as the gateway for international investment.
- Focus development work on high-potential markets to maximise value.
The report underlines that Wales’s performance demonstrates the growing importance of the UK’s nations and regions in maintaining the country’s competitive edge on the global stage.
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