Research
To inform our Vulnerability Standards, we commissioned research agency Revealing Reality to run five focus groups with Enforcement Agents. 21 Agents took part over July and August 2025. This report summarises their views on the practical challenges of identifying and responding to vulnerability.
To inform our Vulnerability Standards, research agency Revealing Reality conducted six focus groups with people who had recently experienced enforcement action. 35 participants took part over July and August 2025. This report summarises their perspectives on vulnerability practices and policies.
Our 2025 Insights Report brings together data from our oversight and complaints work and the biannual data accredited firms submit to us. It includes data on the size of the industry, the volume and value of debts collected, and complaints the ECB investigated in 2025.
ECB commissioned award winning M.E.L to lead first of its kind research into doorstep interactions of enforcement agents. Researchers visited a selection of ECB accredited enforcement firms, of all sizes, and choosing and viewing random samples of body worn video (BWV) taken during enforcement visits. The samples videos were assessed by the researchers against criteria that the ECB have developed in collaboration with debt advice and enforcement industry experts.
ECB commissioned independent research agency, Thinks Insight and Strategy to run a series of workshops with enforcement agents as well as carrying out a number of depth interviews with those who have lived experience of enforcement action. This research was conducted in May 2024 as part of the engagement for our standards project
ECB commissioned Revealing Reality to research some people’s experience of enforcement action.
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Press releases
ECB and HCEOA sign agreement
The ECB appoints two new Board members
Statement and Briefing on Linking of Enforcement Fees
First Local Authorities sign up to be ECB accredited
Latest Press Release
New ECB Vulnerability Standards launched, setting a higher bar for fair enforcement (bailiff) action
The ECB has today published new Vulnerability Standards for enforcement firms and agents. The Standards provide stronger protections for people in vulnerable situations.
Blog
CEO Newsletter March 2026
ECB Chair’s Blog – March 2026
ECB Chair’s Blog – January 2026
ECB Chair’s Blog – November 2025
ECB Chair’s Blog – October 2025
CEO Newsletter September 2025
ECB Chair’s Blog – September 2025
ECB Chair’s Blog – July 2025
ECB Chair’s Blog – April 2025
Latest Blog Post
CEO Newsletter March 2026
On 23rd March we published our new Vulnerability Standards for enforcement firms and agents. This was a significant milestone for the ECB. If you’ve been following their development over the past year – from early discussion papers, through workshops, and into the formal consultation – you’ll know just how much detailed thinking, engagement and testing has gone into them. And not just from the ECB. Colleagues across the enforcement sector, debt‑advice organisations, local authorities, creditors and, importantly, people with lived experience of enforcement have all helped shape them.
Briefings
Statutory Regulation Briefing June 2025
ECB blueprint for statutory regulation of the enforcement (bailiff) sector
ECB blueprint for statutory regulation of the enforcement (bailiff) sector
ECB blueprint for statutory regulation of the enforcement (bailiff) sector – INFOGRAPHIC
ECB Response to Regulation of Debt Enforcement Consultation July 2025