Happy New Year, listeners! With 2025 in the books, we look ahead (with customary optimism) to 2026 by discussing the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers (NAWRA)'s campaign to introduce a statutory duty for local authorities to ensure access to social welfare advice.

Daphne Hall, NAWRA Vice Chair, joins Antonio and Andy to explain why this is needed, what it might mean for local and national advice services, and how to stop for-profit commercial firms from hoovering up all the money earmarked for helping vulnerable people.

Useful links:

• NAWRA launches campaign for advice to be a statutory duty at the House of Commons
• Support NAWRA's campaign
• Become a member of the IMA

It's been a while since we last put out an episode - and lots has been happening in that time. Antonio and Andy run through a few topical items that have been going on since our last Debt Reckon, including the FCA's motor finance compensation scheme, a newsworthy intervention from the Enforcement Conduct Board and potential changes to the remit of the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Useful links:

• FCA motor finance redress scheme - press release
• 'Britain's largest bailiff firm forced into refunds scheme after overcharging.' The Guardian, 15th August
• ECB: Chief executive's report, October 2025
• HM Treasury: Review of the Financial Ombudsman Service and the IMA's response
• Become a member of the IMA

It's summertime, which means only one thing - the government will be undertaking some debt-related consultations. This year, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have obliged, with a fresh look at the administration and enforcement of council tax, an issue that is always close to the hearts of debt advisers.

In this episode, Antonio and Andy take a closer look at the government's proposals, alternately lamenting the missed opportunities and welcoming the chance to make meaningful change. There's also a bonus look at some council tax case law, revisiting our favourite legal phenomenon, the Freemen-on-the-Land.

Useful links:

• MHCLG consultation on council tax
• R (Peacekeepers Foundation) v Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates Court [2025] EWHC 1493 (Admin)
• Become a member of the IMA