We respond to King’s Speech at State Opening of Parliament
The King's Speech rightly highlighted the need to tackle the cost of living and raise living standards. But for millions of people already struggling to keep up with essential bills, bold action cannot come soon enough.
Posted May 13, 2026
“The King's Speech rightly highlighted the need to tackle the cost of living and raise living standards. But for millions of people already struggling to keep up with essential bills, bold action cannot come soon enough.
Every day our advisers are supporting people facing acute financial hardship, with rising energy costs and council tax arrears pushing more households towards crisis. Any plan for growth must go hand in hand with stronger protections for those in debt.
That is why it is disappointing not to see a commitment to introduce a statutory regulator for bailiffs in the upcoming parliamentary session. With around 3.7 million enforcement cases in just six months and ongoing evidence of harmful practices, the current system is not doing enough to protect people when things go wrong.
The government has already recognised the need to act. Now is the moment to follow through. Introducing an independent bailiff regulator would provide essential safeguards, boost confidence in the system, and ensure people in financial difficulty are treated fairly and with dignity.”
Grace Brownfield, Head of Influencing and Communications at Money Advice Trust
