Brexit: Consumer Rights Policy

Debate between Lord Christopher and Baroness Neville-Rolfe

Monday 12th December 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

That is a difficult question to answer—I am always straight. What I would say is that, as I mentioned earlier, we have planned a series of engagements with consumer bodies. That applies right across Whitehall, so that, for example, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury has been talking to consumer groups—because, of course, financial services are very important—and there have been talks between MoJ and the Legal Services Consumer Panel. It is clear to me that we will be able to highlight, well before March, the particular pinch points, so that in our negotiations we will know which are the important areas that we need to preserve. This is an important piece of work, and I am grateful to the noble Lord for his comments.

[Lord Christopher (Lab)]

My Lords, we do not need to wait for Europe to part company with us—there are already problems. Ryanair has already given an indication of its intention that claims against it by passengers should be made in Irish courts. If I may say so, there is a lot to be done now with consumer rights that is not happening. My personal recent experience was that the telegraph and postal system refused to give a cash refund for faulty goods that it supplied until I suggested that we went to court. It has now said that it will pay. This is happening on a wide scale to those who are making online purchases from companies which are doing rather less than they should.

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

In general, consumers enjoy strong protections in this country, and we want to seek to preserve those. But where markets fail—the noble Lord has given an example—and competition is not as strong as it needs to be, they may not get a good deal, and the Government will not hesitate to take steps where we need to. We are bringing forward a Green Paper in the spring of next year that will closely examine markets that are not working fairly for consumers. It will look at both specific markets and cross-cutting items, and I look forward to hearing more on those sorts of issues so we can ensure that they are properly looked at as part of that process.

Channel 4: Privatisation

Debate between Lord Christopher and Baroness Neville-Rolfe

Wednesday 3rd February 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

I could not agree more with my noble friend. Of course, Channel 4 is particularly tasked with serving diverse audiences, which is an important part of its remit that we want to maintain.

[Lord Christopher (Lab)]

The noble Lord did not quite say what I hoped he would say but he made a very important point. I digress slightly from the issue by saying that many major companies in this country have pension funds that are greater, in terms of their deficiencies, than the value of the company. I declare an interest in Channel 4, having been a member of the authority that set it up in the first place. Will the noble Baroness confirm that the Government’s ambitions here have nothing to do with the Chancellor’s growing need for funds?

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

We are very clear that we are looking at all the options to secure a good future for Channel 4. The sort of considerations mentioned are not the issue.

Sunday Trading

Debate between Lord Christopher and Baroness Neville-Rolfe

Monday 14th December 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My Lords, of course, this is a matter of balance and we feel that there is opportunity for change. We are looking at the arguments. My own view is that Sunday does remain special. Society has changed but some of us still go to church.

[Lord Christopher (Lab)]

My Lords, will the noble Baroness be certain to consult Sports Direct before she concludes this?

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My Lords, there is a consultation. We are looking at all the responses. I do not know whether Sports Direct has been involved.