The mouse that roared
Earlier this week, the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill had its Second Reading in the House of Commons. This is the Bill that will merge Postwatch, Energywatch and the National Consumer Council into a single body to be called the new National Consumer Council.
In opening the debate, the Minister Ian McCartney stated:
In opening the debate, the Minister Ian McCartney stated:
"Some critics of those proposals have raised concerns about loss of expertise and loss of independence. Some have even suggested that the Government are creating this new body in order to silence criticism of Government action, on post offices in particular. Let me say now that our objective in bringing these bodies together is to create not a mouse too meek to challenge us, but a lion who will, I hope, roar on behalf of consumers. We do not want to weaken consumer representation, but to strengthen it. We do not want to lose valued expertise, but to build on it and make sure that all sectors benefit from it. A strong rope is made from intertwining different strands together. That is why we will create the new National Consumer Council."
Labels: Consumers Estate Agents and Redress Bill, Energywatch, NCC, Postwatch
posted by Anonymous at 5:25 pm
2 Comments:
Despite what Ian McCartney says, the new NCC smacks more of unnecessary reorganisation for the sake of appearing to do something than of helping consumers. If amalgamation is such a good thing, why aren't all like utilities and services bundled into relevant NCCs?
Good point, anonymous. The Ofcom Consumer Panel and the Financial Services Authority Consumer Panel will have cross-representation on the Board of the new NCC. Also the consumer body for water is due to join the new NCC later.
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