Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 147
We support the idea that there should be more accessible support for consumers across the...
Recommendation
We support the idea that there should be more accessible support for consumers across the UK. We encourage the development of ombudsman services, including in sectors not currently covered by an ombudsman, as an independent and trusted arbiter that consumers understand and can engage with.
Government response summary AI-generated
The Government states that it is committed to taking forward changes, and that the Bill will be introduced in this Parliamentary session, regarding accessible support for consumers.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
147
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
The Government has committed to reform Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and legislate to boost the quality and oversight of ADR services, particularly in non-regulated sectors where consumer awareness and business take up of ADR can be low. Reforms will help embed a common standard across ADR providers (including those that have not Post pandemic economic growth: State aid and post-Brexit competition policy: Government Response 7 sought accreditation previously), introduce a mandatory accreditation requirement and raise the minimum standard ADR bodies are assessed against. This may help increase consumer and business confidence in ADR and drive increased take-up. More widely, the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) recent consultation on increasing the use of mediation in the civil justice system sought views on introducing a requirement to attempt mediation for all proceedings allocated to the small claims track of the County Court. The Department for Transport (DfT) also consulted this year on whether ADR membership should be compulsory for all airlines operating to, from and within the UK. Responses to these consultations are being considered and next steps will be set out shortly. BEIS, DfT and MoJ are working closely to ensure outcomes across each project are aligned and complementary.
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