Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans his Department has to extend the freeze on bailiff visits in England and Wales for people whose finances have been adversely affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

Visits by enforcement agents (bailiffs) to take control of goods at residential premises and on highways are currently suspended under the Taking Control of Goods and Certification of Enforcement Agents (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020, which came into force on 25 April. This restriction will remain in place while the social distancing restrictions that limit the reasons for which a person can leave the place in which they live are in force under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 and the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020.

My department is working with the enforcement agent industry to ensure that enforcement agents take a proportionate approach to payment with people who have been impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak.