THE government is still not doing enough to protect vulnerable people in debt from aggressive bailiffs, charities warned yesterday.

Despite changes in the law, bailiff use is on the rise and tougher reforms are needed, according to StepChange Debt Charity, the Children’s Society, Christians Against Poverty, Citizens Advice and the Money Advice Trust (MAT).

In 2014, the government changed laws in England and Wales as a response to the “significant few” bailiffs who use intimidating behaviour, treat debtors unfairly and cause unnecessary distress.

Under the reform, bailiffs were banned from entering debtors’ homes at night or when only children are present, a notice period of seven days was introduced and basic household items can no longer be taken.

But the changes “have had only minimal impact,” the charities said, reporting that bailiffs did not give debtors prior warning in a fifth of cases.

Additionally, a quarter of people surveyed had tried to arrange to pay off their debt over the phone but were still visited by a bailiff.

The report concluded that the structure of bailiffs’ fees acts as an incentive to visit debtors’ homes.

The charities have written to Justice Secretary Liz Truss, calling for the sector to be independently regulated, with a free and clear complaints procedure.

StepChange Debt Charity’s head Mike O’Connor said: “The reforms have not delivered the improvements that are needed and they are failing some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”

Last year, Citizens Advice said it had helped people with 82,000 problems related to bailiff action, over half of which were related to council tax debt.

A government review of the 2014 bailiff reforms is to be published.

felicitycollier@peoples-press.com