Andy Burnham launches crackdown on 'cowboy builders' ripping off Britons

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More than one in four Britons reported problems with their most recent home renovation project, according to Citizens Advice

Andy Burnham has launched a crackdown on "cowboy builders" ripping off Britons with shoddy work and disappearing before jobs are finished.

The Prime Minister has vowed to put rogue traders "out of business" as ministers introduce new protections for households undertaking home improvements.

More than one in four adults have experienced problems with their most recent home renovation project, according to Citizens Advice.

Complaints include poor-quality work and builders disappearing before completing jobs, with home renovations now among the organisation's biggest sources of complaints.

Under the crackdown, homeowners will be given the option of having their money held safely rather than handing large sums directly to tradespeople upfront.

A new payment system available from next week will allow payments to be released gradually as agreed stages of a project are completed.

Mr Burnham said: “Cowboy builders don’t just rip people off. They leave families with months of stress, the disruption of unfinished work, and that horrible feeling of being taken advantage of.

"Not only that, but they give the vast majority of decent, hardworking tradespeople a bad name.

“So we’re putting the cowboys out of business. These changes mean you’ll now have the option to make sure your money is held safely and released bit by bit as the work gets done.

“It’s the latest in our series of everyday fixes to give people room to breathe and make Britain fairer. We’ve taken on subscription traps, fake discounts, and now we’re coming for the cowboy builders. Enough is enough.”

A separate Government-backed scheme being rolled out from September will help households identify traders who meet approved standards.

Businesses will be able to sign up to a code covering customer service, transparency and the handling of disputes.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the changes would “protect consumers, support reputable traders” and help families avoid home improvements “turning into a nightmare”.

However, the Tories warned that legitimate businesses could be burdened with added bureaucracy.

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Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said: “We all want to see action to stop rogue traders, but this announcement looks like the sort of government initiative that risks the unintended consequence of piling more paperwork onto the majority of businesses who already do the right thing.

“The Government would do far better to beef up law enforcement and have tougher sentences for the minority who fraudulently rip off customers, but they have cut police numbers and are letting criminals out of jail early.

“Those who break the rules will keep breaking them regardless of whether there is an app in the way. Only the Conservatives will bring back consequences for lawbreakers.”

Ministers are separately tightening rules governing private bailiffs operating in England and Wales.

The reforms follow concerns that some enforcement agents have pressured people struggling with debt into repayment arrangements which leave them unable to afford everyday essentials.

Private bailiffs will be required to be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board, or work for an accredited firm, to obtain the certificate needed to operate.

The Government says the mandatory independent oversight will ensure enforcement agents meet consistent professional standards.

Courts Minister Sarah Sackman said: “Bailiffs have an important job to do, but with that responsibility must come high standards.

"When someone is already struggling with debt, the last thing they should face is intimidating behaviour, unfair treatment or being pushed into excessive repayment arrangements they cannot afford.

“That’s why we’re strengthening the rules. All private bailiffs will have to meet proper, professional standards and will be subject to independent oversight - giving people greater protection and somewhere to turn when things go wrong.”