Ministers unveil plans to consolidate consumer powers for Trading Standards

The government has announced plans to consolidate consumer powers for Trading Standards through a Consumer Bill of Rights.

Ministers said the Bill would also:

• Update the law for goods and services and for digital content
• Clarify the law on unfair contract terms
• Provide “much stronger protection” for vulnerable customers targeted by misleading aggressive sales practices. These practices would include implying a connection with social services or an old age charity

The Department for Business Innovation and Skills said the Bill was intended to “streamline confusing and overlapping legislation and regulation, and provide stronger consumer protection”.

It will bring together consumer rights currently contained in 12 Acts or Regulations, and introduce the European Consumer Rights Directive.

Consumer Minister Edward Davey said: “Consumer law in the UK comes from a variety of Acts and regulation, making it complex and confusing. This is bad for consumers and bad for business as people don’t know their rights and the cost of compliance for business is higher than necessary.

“The Consumer Bill of Rights will consolidate, clarify and strengthen the consumer laws already in place, which will make it easier for everyone to understand and consumer rights in the UK will be stronger than ever. This Bill will give everyone a single place to find all their consumer rights.”