Consumers: Vulnerable Consumers

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town Excerpts

Tuesday 29th October 2013 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab)]

My Lords, does the Minister acknowledge that there is nothing in the so-called consumer rights Bill that the Government will be imposing shortly to deal with such issues? Will he therefore open discussions with representatives of consumer organisations and the Opposition to make sure that the Bill will increase rights and not just codify them?

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

We are not planning to include anything specific but the consumer rights directive is being implemented as part of the programme. This will mean that suppliers should obtain consumers’ express consent to any extra charges. They should not use a tick-box approach that requires consumers to untick boxes in order to avoid charges.