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'Cowboy builders' targeted in new government clampdown
The plan would protect customers with milestone-linked payments and mandatory oversight for bailiffs, after more than one in four home improvers reported problems.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled new measures targeting "cowboy builders" and regulating private bailiffs, introducing a trusted trader database and payment system to protect homeowners from unscrupulous operators.
- More than one in four adults experienced difficulties during home improvements in the past 18 months, Citizens Advice reported, with complaints ranging from sub-standard craftsmanship to builders vanishing after collecting upfront payments.
- A new payment system launching next week allows householders to link payments to project milestones, while a government-backed scheme starting in September requires registered firms to demonstrate standards for customer service, transparency and dispute resolution.
- Courts Minister Sarah Sackman announced mandatory independent oversight of private bailiffs in England and Wales. "Bailiffs have an important job to do, but with that responsibility must come high standards," Sackman said.
- Opposition critics dismissed the initiative, with Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith warning it risks "piling more paperwork onto the majority of businesses" and Liberal Democrat spokesperson Sarah Olney calling the voluntary code "half-baked.
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FMB warns cowboy-builder crackdown needs statutory licensing
The Federation of Master Builders has warned that a new government crackdown on rogue builders could struggle without compulsory regulation of the industry. The government announced measures intended to help homeowners identify reputable tradespeople and protect payments made during building work. From September, builders will… The post FMB warns cowboy-builder crackdown needs statutory licensing appeared first on Construction News.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources39
Leaning Left5Leaning Right2Center23Last UpdatedBias Distribution77% Center
Bias Distribution
- 77% of the sources are Center
77% Center
L 16%
C 77%
Factuality
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