Consumer Protection 'Needs Reform'

New proposals to simplify the confusing and overlapping provision of consumer protection are needed to better protect consumers, Consumer Minister Edward Davey has announced.

Under proposals set out in a new consultation ‘Empowering and Protecting Consumers’, ministers want to see a new simplified ‘consumer landscape’ with public funding concentrated on two bodies that consumers trust and already turn to for advice - Trading Standards and the Citizens Advice service.

Discussing the implementation of the new proposals, the Consumer Minister said: “The proposals which I have published today seek to put an end to such confusion and make sure consumers are empowered and have champions. The Citizens Advice service has for a long time offered trusted advice, information and advocacy. So it’s right that it sits at the heart of our plans.

“Likewise, Trading Standards are trusted by the public to do a good job in enforcing consumer law and standing up for consumers. But there are barriers which get in the way of effective responses to rogues who operate across authority boundaries. Our proposed reforms will strengthen their hand in tackling these threats to consumers.”

Strengthening consumer power helps drive competition, making businesses more efficient and innovative. Reforming the consumer landscape was a key part of the Government’s Plan for Growth, published at the time of the Budget, and its focus on creating the right conditions to deliver strong, sustainable balanced economic growth.

The consultation paper sets out proposals for the Citizens Advice service - the familiar bureaux on the high street and their supporting national organisations - to become the single service that consumers can turn to for information and advice. It will also act as their champion across a range of sectors. In turn, this will help empower them to make more informed decisions about the goods and services they buy.

It also sets out plans to strengthen the leadership and coordination of Local Authority Trading Standards Services in tackling difficult cases that cross local authority boundaries.

The ‘Empowering and Protecting Consumers’ consultation will run for 14 weeks until the end of September and government is keen that consumers, the voluntary and private sectors share their views on the proposed reforms.

(BMcN)