Responding to the Justice Secretary’s announcement that the enforcement fee is to be uplifted and further reforms implemented, Russell Hamblin-Boone, Chief Executive of CIVEA, said: “This is the first time in 12 years that enforcement fees have been reviewed. While it does not reflect the huge amount our industry has invested in leading edge technology, it does help us to continue to responsibly recover over £1 billion pounds a year from those who seek to evade payment of taxes and fines, while supporting vulnerable people who struggle to pay. The money recovered on behalf of our councils is vital in providing the essential public services we all benefit from, such as libraries, swimming pools, parks, schools, community halls and leisure centres.

“Our industry established and funded the Enforcement Conduct Board, which since 1 January has provided independent oversight of our work and adjudication of complaints. We do not oppose statutory regulation, but there is not yet sufficient evidence of its effectiveness so it is too early to make a decision on its legislative status.

“We will continue our work with the government to lead reform and we hope to see an inflation-based review mechanism to ensure that the statutory fees are revised on a regular basis in future.”