Published: 20 October 2006
A Voice for Consumers
Consumer Minister Ian McCartney has announced plans to boost consumer representation and provide people with a single point of contact for dealing with consumer issues.
A key element of the proposals is the consolidation of existing consumer bodies into a stronger and more coherent consumer body ("Consumer Voice"), to represent the interests of consumers across all markets.
The new organisation, Consumer Voice, would pull together the National Consumer Council, Energywatch and Postwatch into a single body, which Mr McCartney said would be a ‘powerful and effective advocate’ for consumers. (Also possibly save money, by reducing from 3 to I organisations?)
Consumer Voice will undertake cross-sectoral research proactively to identify key consumer issues and will play a key role in the formulation of public policy both in the UK and in Europe.
Consumer Voice will have permanent offices in England, Scotland & Wales and it will also have an office in Northern Ireland to represent postal services consumers.
The proposals also include plans to extend redress schemes to the remaining energy complaints not covered by the Energy Supply Ombudsman and to complaints in the postal services sector.
Redress schemes offer certainty of complaint resolution to consumers and will be able to award compensation to consumers where warranted.
The announcement marks the Government's response to its consultation exercise, which sought views on proposals to strengthen & streamline consumer advocacy.
Mr McCartney said the plans would empower consumers:
"Today's announcement promises a stronger voice for consumers.
We want to give people an effective system of representation and redress that is easily accessible and offers the best possible all round protection.
In the end this is about getting people a better deal for their money and protecting them from being ripped off."
We are committed to taking forward work to make this happen without delay. Legislation will be required to deliver the new model for consumer representation and redress, and we intend to bring this before Parliament as soon as possible."
Further information
DTI January 2006 consultation documents
Consumer Direct - Helpline 08454 040506.
National Consumer Council
Energywatch
Postwatch
NAO: Energywatch and Postwatch: Helping and Protecting Consumers
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