New scheme aimed at protecting Bury households
The Government is set to roll out a scheme in September designed to give homeowners greater protection when commissioning building work. The measures, supported by the MP for Bury North, seek to prevent families being left out of pocket or facing lengthy disputes with rogue tradespeople.
Only businesses that have signed up to an approved code will be included in the scheme. That, ministers say, will ensure improved standards on customer service, clearer transparency and a route to dispute resolution — and payments will be linked to key project milestones to reduce the risk of customers handing over large sums up front.
"These new measures are a welcome step forward for families taking on building work."
The comments came from James Frith, MP for Bury North, who has campaigned on behalf of constituents affected by unscrupulous builders. He said he had seen the harm caused through his casework and welcomed a scheme that he hopes will give people more confidence when selecting a trader.
Convictions that underlined the need
The launch follows two recent court cases involving men with links to the Bury area. The sentences handed down last week underline the scale of losses that can arise when builders do not complete work or behave dishonestly.
| Defendant | Age | Sentence | Areas affected | Reported sums |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Damien Hartley | 51 | 3 years 9 months | Bacup, Rawtenstall, Oldham, Tameside, Sale, Bury, Bolton, Stockport | Almost £700,000 taken; ~£1m total losses including remedial costs |
| Tyrone Young | 33 | 5 years (in absence) | Wigan and Leigh (convicted of conning elderly women) | Tens of thousands of pounds from victims |
The first case involved Patrick Damien Hartley, from Weir, Rossendale, who was jailed for three years and nine months after being found to have targeted 13 homes across the region — including properties in Bury. According to reports, almost £700,000 was paid to Hartley, and when remedial costs and unfinished work are counted the families suffered around £1 million in losses.
The second case saw Tyrone Young, formerly of Todd Street in Bury, sentenced in his absence to five years after victims in Wigan and Leigh were conned out of tens of thousands of pounds. Court descriptions of his behaviour included the words "dishonest and unscrupulous" and it was reported he had intimidated victims into handing over money.
What the scheme promises for locals
Officials say the scheme will act on several fronts to reduce risk for consumers. Key features highlighted include:
- Only listing traders who have signed up to an approved code, promoting higher standards.
- Linking payments to defined project milestones to avoid large up-front deposits.
- Providing clearer routes to dispute resolution and enforcing transparency on pricing and timelines.
Local campaigners and the MP hope the measures will cut down on the harm seen in recent prosecutions — both financial loss and the stress and disruption that follow.
While a new registration and compliance regime cannot erase every risk, supporters argue it should make it harder for repeat offenders to trade under the radar and give households clear checks to carry out before agreeing work.
For Bury residents who may be considering building or renovation projects this autumn, the message is straightforward: do your checks, insist on written contracts and consider whether a trader is signed up to an approved code before signing or paying large sums.
The scheme forms part of the Government’s broader consumer protections agenda and will begin operating in September. Local residents affected by rogue traders remain able to seek help through their MP’s office and established complaints channels.
