Dukes supports plans for new Enforcement Conduct Authority
The Centre for Social Justice’s (CSJ) report “Taking Control for Good – Introducing the Enforcement Conduct Authority” was released earlier this week.
Strongly advocated by the House of Commons Justice Committee, among others, the ECA will be launched later in 2021 to provide independent, fair and formal supervision of the enforcement sector. They will deliver a clear mandate to ensure fair treatment and appropriate protection for people subject to enforcement. This include, but is not limited to:
raising standards through the development of new rules, conditions and competencies, to be developed in consultation with the industry;
supervising practice and issuing proportionate sanctions for rule-breaking and behaviour below the standard required of the industry;
improving accountability through a standardised two-stage complaints process;
independently adjudicating escalated complaints; and
introducing fair, affordable repayment and vulnerability protocols.
The ECA also pledges to equip all firms with the tools to ensure that providing a sustainable journey out of debt is mandatory across the industry. This is huge news for the industry and a step in the right direction.
Sarah Naylor, Dukes Sales Director, commented: “The launch of the Enforcement Conduct Authority (ECA) is monumental for the Enforcement industry. Since I joined Dukes, I’ve publicly been an advocate for better collaboration between the Enforcement industry and Advice sector, and I’m pleased to say that the Enforcement Working Group (EWG) a step towards this. The EWG is made up of enforcement representatives, including CIVEA and Advice organizations including StepChange Debt Charity, Money Advice Trust and Christians Against Poverty.”
Colin Naylor, Founder and CEO, commented: “The ECA has a strong mandate to raise standards and ensure the fair treatment of people in debt. At Dukes our mission is to deliver the best outcomes for both clients and customers when recovering debt. We have a long-standing vision to create local opportunities; to educate and inspire communities to resolve their debt(s) all whilst maintaining our uncompromising values as we grow. Our key focus has always been, and will remain to be to help customers get out and stay out of debt, so we wholeheartedly support the ECA and look forward to how they will help shape our industry for the better.”
