Senedd debate calls for greater regulation for debt collectors

Published

2 years ago

December 18, 2023

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.

Plaid Cymru's shadow social justice minister, Sioned Williams — *Plaid Cymru’s shadow social justice minister, Sioned Williams*

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.

*Jane Dodds MS, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats*

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.

Mayor and deputy mayor appointed in Milford Haven

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has congratulated Cllr Mark Woodward after he was inaugurated as the town’s new Mayor and First Citizen.

Cllr Woodward was formally appointed on Monday evening, with Cllr Kathy Gray confirmed as Deputy Mayor.

Following the ceremony, Cllr Woodward said it was a “true honour and privilege” to take on the role, adding that it was something he had “never in my wildest dreams imagined would happen to me.”

He thanked his fellow councillors for their trust, as well as residents who had sent messages of congratulations.

Cllr Woodward also paid tribute to his wife Eva, who now becomes Mayoress, saying her support had helped make the moment possible.

He said: “I promise I will do my absolute best and fight hard and passionately for my beloved adopted town.”

With Cllr Gray serving as Deputy Mayor, Cllr Woodward added that residents could “rest assured it will not be a quiet year.”

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park chief to be honoured by Gorsedd Cymru

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PARK CHIEF RECOGNISED

PEMBROKESHIRE Coast National Park Authority Chief Executive Tegryn Jones is to be honoured by Gorsedd Cymru at this year’s National Eisteddfod.

Mr Jones has been named among those who will be admitted to the Gorsedd in recognition of their achievements and contribution to Wales, the Welsh language and local communities.

He will be admitted in the Blue robes, which are awarded to people who have given distinguished service in areas including public life, local and national activity, journalism, media, sport, science and law.

Originally from Lampeter and a fluent Welsh speaker, Mr Jones has played a prominent role in Welsh public life through a career spanning environmental, educational and community leadership.

Before joining Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, he served as Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy and also worked for the General Teaching Council for Wales.

He was nominated for his work in education, youth work and the environment, as well as for developing environmental initiatives at both local and national level.

In Pembrokeshire, he is also closely associated with the development of Welsh-medium education through his long-standing involvement with Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest, where he was the first Chair of Governors.

Mr Jones said: “It is a great honour to be recognised by Gorsedd Cymru, particularly in a year when the National Eisteddfod returns to Pembrokeshire for Eisteddfod y Garreg Las.

“The Welsh language belongs to all our communities, and I have been very fortunate to work with so many people who care deeply about its future, whether through education, culture, the environment or public service.

“The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is one of the jewels of Wales and provides an outstanding landscape that contributes to the environmental, social and economic goals that are essential to Wales’ future.

“I am very fortunate to lead the National Park Authority and extremely proud that this work has been recognised by the Gorsedd.”

This year’s National Eisteddfod, Eisteddfod y Garreg Las, will be held in Llantwd, North Pembrokeshire, from August 1-8, 2026.

The event will be especially significant as it marks 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan in 1176, just across the river from this year’s Maes.

News

New RSPCA poll shows opposition to badger culling in Wales

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CULLING ‘NOT THERE’, CHARITY SAYS

NEW polling from RSPCA Cymru suggests there is no clear public support in Wales for badger culling as a way of tackling bovine TB.

The charity says the new Welsh Government must “listen to people’s love of wildlife” after a survey found that just over a quarter of people in Wales actively support the culling of badgers.

The polling, released today (May 13), comes as 96 Members of the Senedd prepare to take their seats in the newly-expanded Welsh Parliament, with bovine TB expected to become one of the major animal welfare and farming issues facing the next administration.

RSPCA Cymru said only 27% of those surveyed supported badger culling, while 46% were opposed. A further 28% said they did not know.

The charity is calling on Plaid Cymru, which is seeking to form a minority government following the appointment of Rhun ap Iorwerth MS as First Minister, and on MSs from all parties, to reject culling and focus instead on what it describes as a science-led, cattle-focused approach.

The survey of 1,033 adults in Wales found that 63% of respondents were uncomfortable with badger culling being carried out using lethal methods approved by government authorities.

More than two-thirds, 68%, said they were uncomfortable with public money being used to fund the culling of badgers.

The polling also suggested that the issue could affect political support. More than half of those surveyed, 52%, said they would be less likely to support a political party that backed badger culling, while only 7% said they would be more likely to do so.

RSPCA Cymru said the figures showed that badger culling was “unsupported by a clear majority” of the Welsh public.

Billie-Jade Thomas, senior public affairs manager for RSPCA Cymru, said: “How the new Welsh Government approaches bovine TB will be one of the biggest talking points concerning animals in Wales in the coming years.

“This polling should remind all newly-elected Senedd Members that the Welsh public cares about how badgers are treated, and politicians must listen to people’s love of wildlife.

“There is a clear lack of public support for badger culling in Wales, and those supporting such action could see their support wane among their constituents.”

She added: “Wildlife control and badgers were featured in several parties’ Senedd manifestos, including Plaid Cymru, Wales’ new biggest party.

“We now hope MSs from all political groups recognise that badger culling is unsupported by a clear majority of the Welsh public, and they should instead prioritise a science-led, cattle-focused approach to combatting bovine TB.”

The polling also found that almost 98% of people in Wales consider protecting Welsh wildlife to be important, with 69% saying it is very important.

Badgers were among the most popular species named in the survey, with 73% of respondents choosing them as one of the species they were most concerned about when asked to select their top three.

RSPCA Cymru said badgers remain one of Britain’s most distinctive and misunderstood wild mammals.

Ms Thomas said: “Badgers are such wonderful creatures and, like all wildlife, deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

“A growing body of evidence suggests that the majority of bovine TB infection occurs between cattle, with scientific evidence suggesting that badger culling is not an effective way to reduce the disease in cattle.

“The new administration must always tackle bTB in a way which does not needlessly pose a threat to one of our most distinctive, well-loved yet misunderstood species of wildlife.”

RSPCA Cymru’s manifesto for the seventh Senedd, Securing A Better Future For Animal Welfare in Wales, calls for badger culling to be rejected, describing it as ineffective and inhumane.

The poll was carried out online by Savanta between April 24 and May 12, 2026. Figures were weighted to be representative of adults in Wales.