Are we set for a consumer champion within government ranks?
There are growing rumours that the UK government is set to announce some kind of consumer tsar who may have the power to fight legal battles on behalf of consumers in the UK. While we still await details of the UK government's White Paper, due on 2 July, it is believed that the UK authorities are looking to increase protection for UK consumers and simplify the legal challenge process where potential irregularities have or may take place. But is this enough?
A consumer champion without legal teeth would prompt suggestions of a publicity stunt by the UK government, so if this is to work there will need to be a well drawn up and watertight framework from which the so-called "consumer champion" could work within. The ability to represent consumers around the UK in the law courts is something which has happened before, e.g. the fight for reimbursement of bank charges, but a specific department purely for consumers would go down very well with UK voters.
UK consumers and UK businesses can probably expect more sympathetic announcements from the UK authorities on the road to the next general election as all parties look to increase their share of the vote.
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