Bailiffs making record profits collecting debt for councils in cost of living crisis

Charities say the majority of those who are in contact with a debt collector reported feeling harassed or intimidated. Photograph: Panther Media/Alamy

Bailiffs hired by councils to recover unpaid debts have seen their profits rise to record levels during the cost of living crisis, company filings show.

Newlyn Group, which is hired by councils to recover unpaid traffic fines and council tax, saw its turnover from debt collection increase by 43.8% to £25.8m in the year to December 2022, while its gross profit rose to £15.5m. Company documents describe the figures as Newlyn’s “best ever results”.