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Fighting the consumers’ corner
Kevin Brennan said:“The Consumer Advocate’s job will be to fight consumers’ corner as a new national figurehead. The Advocate will support consumers, take legal action on their behalf, help them to get compensation and warn consumers about latest scams. This is especially important during the downturn when people’s finances are hard pressed.
"Today we’re seeking the public’s views on the role and powers that the advocate will have, both in the short term and in the future.”
The consultation asks for views on a number of issues.
Collective legal action
The Consumer Advocate will be able to take legal action on behalf of groups of consumers. This would create a new route in which consumers could get redress and compensation if they have problems. Individual consumers are often very reluctant to take court action themselves. The consultation seeks views on the powers of the Advocate and on the situations in which they could be used.
Overseas losses
The Consumer Advocate would be given the power to pay back compensation to UK consumers who have lost out to overseas businesses. The OFT estimates that every year 140,000 people fall victim to scams promising foreign lottery wins - costing the UK public an estimated £260m a year.
Consumer education
The consultation wants to know how the Consumer Advocate could improve the effectiveness of consumer education and how best to communicate with the most vulnerable consumers. The government wants the Advocate to "improve the coordination of education and information campaigns and to champion the needs of consumers".
Consultation on the role and powers of the Consumer Advocate - BERR
Response to consultation
Responses can be submitted by letter, fax or email to:
Heidi Munn
Consumer and Competition Policy
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Bay 426, 1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Fax: 020 7215 0357
Email: consumeradvocateconsultation@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Consultation Documents
Kevin Brennan said:“The Consumer Advocate’s job will be to fight consumers’ corner as a new national figurehead. The Advocate will support consumers, take legal action on their behalf, help them to get compensation and warn consumers about latest scams. This is especially important during the downturn when people’s finances are hard pressed.
"Today we’re seeking the public’s views on the role and powers that the advocate will have, both in the short term and in the future.”
The consultation asks for views on a number of issues.
Collective legal action
The Consumer Advocate will be able to take legal action on behalf of groups of consumers. This would create a new route in which consumers could get redress and compensation if they have problems. Individual consumers are often very reluctant to take court action themselves. The consultation seeks views on the powers of the Advocate and on the situations in which they could be used.
Overseas losses
The Consumer Advocate would be given the power to pay back compensation to UK consumers who have lost out to overseas businesses. The OFT estimates that every year 140,000 people fall victim to scams promising foreign lottery wins - costing the UK public an estimated £260m a year.
Consumer education
The consultation wants to know how the Consumer Advocate could improve the effectiveness of consumer education and how best to communicate with the most vulnerable consumers. The government wants the Advocate to "improve the coordination of education and information campaigns and to champion the needs of consumers".
Consultation on the role and powers of the Consumer Advocate - BERR
Response to consultation
Responses can be submitted by letter, fax or email to:
Heidi Munn
Consumer and Competition Policy
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Bay 426, 1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Fax: 020 7215 0357
Email: consumeradvocateconsultation@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Consultation Documents
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(139KB)