§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what additional measures she intends to provide for consumer protection work. [123497]
§ Mr. SutcliffeThe consumer provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 came fully into force on 20 June. Consumers will benefit as these new measures begin to bite from stronger enforcement of the law through the use of Stop Now Orders and sharing of information between enforcers. Consumers will also benefit from the Office of Fair Trading's new role in approving codes of practice. Codes of practice can help consumers to identify reputable traders and provide a swift means to redress on occasions when things go wrong.
In summer 2002 DTI announced up to £30 million funding to implement a new national consumer helpline—Consumer Direct. The helpline will launch in pathfinder areas in 2004.