Latest news with #Charters
ITV News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
York MP calls for crackdown on 'rogue' bailiffs after disabled man 'threatened'
An MP has called for a crackdown on "rogue bailiffs" after claims a constituent was threatened with the removal of disability equipment and another left without carpets. Luke Charters said firms should be put on a statutory footing to drive up standards in the industry. The Labour MP for York Outer said vulnerable people were being made to feel "absolutely petrified in their own homes". Mr Charters introduced the Regulations of Bailiffs Bill through a 10-minute rule motion in parliament. It would require the Secretary of State to publish an assessment of the effectiveness of current regulations, and report to Parliament on the potential merits of statutory regulation. He said: "We are in this place to speak up, when others can't, to put right what is clearly wrong. "This Bill, to get a grip on rogue bailiffs, does exactly that." During his speech, Mr Charters raised the case of his constituent, Adam, who "got into debt through falling behind on council tax and card repayments after losing an agency job and struggling to find new work". He added: "As is often the case with rogue bailiffs, the visits were aggressive and intimidating. One forced his foot into the door, threatening to come in and, of course, this breaks virtually every rule in the book. "Adam told me, 'it was like someone was trying to boot down the door'. He immediately told the bailiff that he had a disability and was classed as vulnerable. The bailiff said he didn't care and would take away Adam's belongings regardless. "The bailiff saying he didn't care - what cruelty. The enforcement system is broken and punishes those already struggling when rules allow such passive, cruel indifference to people in crisis." Mr Charters said the bailiff also threatened to take away Adam's "government-funded equipment for his disability, a specially adapted device". According to Citizens Advice, one in three people who have had contact with a bailiff have experienced behaviour that breaks Ministry of Justice expectations. "And even among the bailiffs that are regulated under their current scope, 1% of visits were deemed too aggressive by the ECB (Enforcement Conduct Board). And by the way, that would equate to hundreds, if not thousands of visits a year. "That is why we need a fair and proportionate debt collection system." Mr Charters also referred to another constituent, Michael, a soon-to-be father who was "left without carpet, with a broken bed and a broken boiler". He said Michael was involved in a "horrific" motorbike accident which left him "bedridden" and "getting by on sick pay alone" after losing his job. "Michael went from being a homeowner with a near perfect credit score to nearly losing everything, and I'm pleased to say that he's back on his feet and, although he's still paying the debt off, he is hoping to clear it soon," The MP concluded his speech by suggesting that while the Enforcement Conduct Board do a good job, there are many bailiffs not in their perimeter. The ECB was set up in 2022, with ministers of the then-Conservative government promising to review whether it needs to be put on a statutory footing within two years.
Spectator
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Football's beer ban makes no sense
Should football fans be allowed to have a pint in the stands during a game? Luke Charters, the Labour MP for York Outer, certainly thinks so, and is calling for trials to see what impact lifting the ban on booze in the stands might have. 'The days of hooliganism are gone', he said. 'Fans of other sports can drink in the stands but football fans cannot.' The Labour backbencher raised the issue in the House of Commons during a debate on the Football Governance Bill, proposing designated drinking zones in view of the pitch as a potential way forward. He says it is all about allowing fans who want to drink the 'chance to do so responsibly' and that it is an opportunity to give back to fans who support their teams loyally. The Football Supporters' Association has given its backing to allocated drinking zone trials, pointing out: 'In the past, this is actually something many clubs have called for too.' Charters is no revolutionary – just someone who wants to prompt a wider debate.
Scottish Sun
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Let football fans drink alcohol in the stands again, demands Labour MP
The Football Supporters' Association has given its backing to the call 3 PINTS FOR A WIN Let football fans drink alcohol in the stands again, demands Labour MP Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOOTBALL fans should be allowed to enjoy a pint in the stands while cheering on their team, an MP says. Labour's Luke Charters wants designated drinking zones set aside in stadiums to allow supporters to have alcoholic drinks. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Labour's Luke Charters wants designated drinking zones set aside in stadiums Credit: Supplied And the Football Supporters' Association has given its backing to the call by the MP for York Outer. Booze is currently prohibited from being consumed in sight of the pitch in the Premier League, English Football League and National League. But it is permitted further down the football league pyramid — and in other countries, such as Germany. Mr Charters said: 'I think it's time to reconsider the alcohol ban in view of the pitch, and at least try to run some trials of designated drinking zones. 'You can sit with a beer and watch the Bundesliga — so why can't you have a pint while watching the Prem? 'As a dad, I think it's right that some parts of the ground should probably stay booze-free. 'But let's have a common-sense conversation about what we can do to make the matchday experience better — and back our great local breweries in the process.' The FSA backed Mr Charters' call for drinking zone trials and said: 'In the past, this is actually something many clubs have called for too.' Alcohol can be sold on the concourse at games before and during matches but cannot be taken in to the stands. The ban has been in place in the men's game since 1985. Shock moment 'drunk' football fans bellow crass chants at Ryanair hostess mid-flight and tell her to 'get her t**s out' But trials allowing the consumption of alcohol in view of the pitch have taken place in the women's game, which is not covered by the ban. Southampton, Birmingham City, Bristol City and Newcastle United took part this season. Mr Charters also tore into ticket prices and wants the £30 cap for away fans in the Premier League extended to the EFL and National League. He said: 'Whether it's clubs canning concessions or FA Cup Final ticket prices flying up, this fleecing of fans is blighting our beautiful game.'
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Let football fans drink alcohol in the stands again, demands Labour MP
FOOTBALL fans should be allowed to enjoy a pint in the stands while cheering on their team, an MP says. Labour's Luke Charters wants designated drinking zones set aside in stadiums to allow supporters to have alcoholic drinks. And the Football Supporters' Association has given its backing to the call by the MP for York Outer. Booze is currently prohibited from being consumed in sight of the pitch in the Premier League, English Football League and National League. But it is permitted further down the football league pyramid — and in other countries, such as Germany. Mr Charters said: 'I think it's time to reconsider the alcohol ban in view of the pitch, and at least try to run some trials of designated drinking zones. 'You can sit with a beer and watch the Bundesliga — so why can't you have a pint while watching the Prem? 'As a dad, I think it's right that some parts of the ground should probably stay booze-free. 'But let's have a common-sense conversation about what we can do to make the matchday experience better — and back our great local breweries in the process.' The FSA backed Mr Charters' call for drinking zone trials and said: 'In the past, this is actually something many clubs have called for too.' Alcohol can be sold on the concourse at games before and during matches but cannot be taken in to the stands. The ban has been in place in the men's game since 1985. Shock moment 'drunk' football fans bellow crass chants at Ryanair hostess mid-flight and tell her to 'get her t**s out' But trials allowing the consumption of alcohol in view of the pitch have taken place in the women's game, which is not covered by the ban. Southampton, Birmingham City, Bristol City and Newcastle United took part this season. Mr Charters also tore into ticket prices and wants the £30 cap for away fans in the Premier League extended to the EFL and National League. He said: 'Whether it's clubs canning concessions or FA Cup Final ticket prices flying up, this fleecing of fans is blighting our beautiful game.' 2
The Irish Sun
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Let football fans drink alcohol in the stands again, demands Labour MP
FOOTBALL fans should be allowed to enjoy a pint in the stands while cheering on their team, an MP says. Labour's Luke Charters wants designated drinking zones set aside in stadiums to allow supporters to have alcoholic drinks. 2 Labour's Luke Charters wants designated drinking zones set aside in stadiums Credit: Supplied And the Football Supporters' Association has given its backing to the call by the MP for York Outer. Booze is currently prohibited from being consumed in sight of the pitch in the Premier League, English Football League and National League. But it is permitted further down the football league pyramid — and in other countries, such as Mr Charters said: 'I think it's time to reconsider the alcohol ban in view of the pitch, and at least try to run some trials of designated drinking zones. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL FANS 'You can sit with a beer and watch the Bundesliga — so why can't you have a pint while watching the Prem? 'As a dad, I think it's right that some parts of the ground should probably stay booze-free. 'But let's have a common-sense conversation about what we can do to make the matchday experience better — and back our great local breweries in the process.' The FSA backed Mr Charters' call for drinking zone trials and said: 'In the past, this is actually something many clubs have called for too.' Most read in Football Alcohol can be sold on the concourse at games before and during matches but cannot be taken in to the stands. The ban has been in place in the men's game since 1985. Shock moment 'drunk' football fans bellow crass chants at Ryanair hostess mid-flight and tell her to 'get her t**s out' But trials allowing the consumption of alcohol in view of the pitch have taken place in the women's game, which is not covered by the ban. Southampton, Birmingham City, Bristol City and Newcastle United took part this season. Mr Charters also tore into ticket prices and wants the £30 cap for away fans in the Premier League extended to the EFL and National League. He said: 'Whether it's clubs canning concessions or FA Cup Final ticket prices flying up, this fleecing of fans is blighting our beautiful game.' 2 Football fans enjoy terrace drinking in 1984, one year before the ban Credit: Getty
