The Queen’s Speech this week emphasised
the importance of consumer protection in the government’s agenda for the next
two years.
The speech mentioned the Government’s intention
to “ensure fairer markets for consumers”, citing a number of business sectors
where consumer protection issues are a priority, including travel, energy and the
rented housing sector.
The government intends to publish a
green paper on consumer markets where unfair practices are identified. As
mentioned in a previous blog article, the Government has already identified concerns
around cancelling subscriptions, complex billing and switching suppliers in the
energy and telecoms sectors.
The green paper will also examine how
consumers enforce their rights, with alternatives to litigation
likely to be recommended. This focus on consumer awareness and enforcement is
in line with a recent European Commission announcement following its review of
EU consumer law.
As expected, the housing rental market
also came under the spotlight with the announcement of a draft Tenants' Fees Bill,
which will ban unfair letting agents fees imposed as a condition of a tenancy.
The Speech also mentioned unfair practices in the energy market as an issue to be examined by the
government. However, there was no mention of the energy price cap suggested by
the Prime Minister earlier this year. But there will be a Bill to provide for the continued
roll-out of 'smart meters'.
An Automated and Electric Vehicles
Bill seeks to facilitate the introduction of driverless cars - one of several
new technologies which the government is eager to support. Following a
consultation last year, the government wanted to extend compulsory insurance to
cover automated vehicles, with single policies covering both the motorist and
the automated vehicle. The Bill would also allow the government to require the
installation of charging points at service stations and other locations.
Finally, changes were also announced
to extend the ATOL holidaymakers’ protection scheme to online holiday bookings.
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into the Government's consultation process, please let us know what
you think by clicking here.