Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to end the sale of written-off consumer debts to third-party debt purchasers.

The Government expects that consumers are treated fairly by firms purchasing and collecting debt, and recognises the importance of responsible debt recovery practices.

Firms that purchase or collect consumer credit debts must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and comply with its rules, including requirements to treat customers fairly and to offer appropriate forbearance options to customers in financial difficulty. The FCA has a broad range of supervisory and enforcement powers to address misconduct.

The Government remains committed to supporting individuals in financial difficulty and keeps the regulatory framework under review.