Consumer Protection

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town Excerpts

Monday 11th November 2013 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Younger of Leckie]

My noble friend may be aware that there is a Bill going through Parliament at the moment and I am at the Dispatch Box later.

[Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab)]

My Lords, it is not just consumers of the big six who are taken advantage of by their providers; many vulnerable customers will have to pay more in rent than they should, are taken advantage of by the banks and are unable to shop around. Will the noble Viscount tell us whether the Government are really on the side of consumers and, if so, why they wound up Consumer Focus, whose report he has just quoted? If they are on the side of consumers, what will the Government do to strengthen the power and remit of ombudsmen so that people can get redress for poor service?