Political opinion with Beccy Cooper MP: Easing the stress

We have seen a series of announcements this summer as the new Prime Minister sets out his priorities for the parliamentary year ahead. Two of those which may have gone under the radar will help ease the stress for residents here in Worthing West and right across the country.

The first is a scheme starting this month to crack down on cowboy builders, while helping homeowners to identify and hire trusted traders with confidence. 

Falling foul of rogue builders is an all-too-common nightmare for those seeking to improve and extend their homes. More than one in four UK adults who invested in home improvement work in the past 18 months experienced problems, whether it be substandard construction, projects abandoned halfway through or even builders disappearing with upfront payments.  Sadly, the targets are often elderly people, who are placed under undue pressure to overpay for shoddy work.

Businesses who sign up to the new Approved Code will be able to demonstrate that they meet higher standards of customer service and transparency. There will also be a new system to protect people’s money during building projects with payments directly linked to key project milestones. This will also back the thousands of builders across the UK who do the right thing by their customers and prevent them being undercut by rogue operators.  

It’s also good to see tougher regulation to protect people facing debt. My team and I hear from so many constituents concerned about their finances, given the ever-rising cost of living pressures like energy bills. Across the country there are currently over 4.5 million people experiencing problem debt, falling behind with bills and credit payments – and heavy-handed debt collection only adds to that burden.

Earlier this year, I wrote to the Ministry of Justice on this issue, outlining the implications of debt for public health and the undue stress exerted by debt collectors, a cause also championed by Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis. And so it’s good to see tough action now being taken.

The new measures will see stronger regulation in England and Wales, giving increased oversight of the enforcement industry. Currently, families can be pressured into repayments that leave them unable to afford essentials of day-to-day life.  But private bailiffs will now be held to consistent professional standards, while those facing enforcement action will have access to an independent complaints process, strengthening the rights of the most vulnerable.  

While changes like these may not always make the headlines, they are a good indication of the direction of travel. By focussing on the real-world issues and challenges we face, we can not only give people the breathing space they need but bring back a sense of fairness and understanding of those challenges. And from my public health perspective, any measures which help reduce the stress in our lives, can only be welcomed.

As always, you can contact me at [email protected]