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Melanie Johnson MPLaunch of "Friends of the National Consumer Council" |
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Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted that my first event with the National Consumer Council as Minister for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Markets, should be to launch this group before such a distinguished audience and amongst so many "friends". I am particularly grateful to Deirdre Hutton for giving me this opportunity. Enterprise is at the heart of this Government's agenda. We have made that clear in our legislative programme by announcing a major Enterprise Bill. We want to create an environment that allows business to prosper - building an economy based on skill, talent, education and the application of technology. Consumers are fundamental to enterprise. Business needs consumers. Demanding confident consumers who encourage higher standards and innovation. Consumer issues are certainly not new to me. Not just because I too am a consumer, but because in my previous role as Economic Secretary to the Treasury we introduced CAT standards ISAs. These are straightforward, clear and easy to understand. There should be no surprises or unforeseen features, and charges must be fair and transparent. Such measures are specifically designed to give consumers a good deal, and to help them make informed choices. In the DTI, we have demonstrated our commitment in a number of other ways, across the provision of consumer information and advice, in enforcement, and in the modernisation of the consumer support framework. For example, through the Modernisation Fund we are investing £30m in a range of measures to improve consumer and business support by Trading Standards and others. We are funding new Consumer Support Networks. These are joining up the services of trading standards and advice agencies, raising the quality of advice, and spreading best practice. Over 150 Consumer Support Networks are being developed, and let me assure you that business is included as a partner. Essex, which looks like being the first to achieve full CSN status includes amongst its impressive line-up the local Chamber of Commerce and two local shopping centre managers. Competitiveness is not driven by pitting consumers against business, or vice-versa. Good enterprise benefits consumers and good consumers - well informed ones - benefit business. So, we welcome a dialogue with consumer organisations, and want to go forward on the basis of strong, evidence-based policy-making. The best input comes from organisations, like the NCC, that are properly connected with the world of business as well as with consumers and consumer representatives. That is why we increased the NCC's funding recently, and will maintain that level of funding, sustaining its current work programme. So, taking account of the setting of this launch today, let me encourage you to think of it not so much as "Love's Labours Lost", but more a case of "Measure for Measure". For as you no doubt know, the National Consumer Council has a long and distinguished history. It recently celebrated its 25th year. But, as with all organisations, it is not what has been that justifies its existence, but what is and what is to come. The NCC, under Deirdre as Chair and with Anna Bradley as Director, has set out on an exciting journey. They intend to establish the NCC even more firmly as a respected think-tank, a producer of high quality forward looking work that not only contributes to, but really influences, the policy agenda. There is always more the NCC could do. Some of it could be done under contract - work that you consider worth funding direct. But much could also be accomplished through funding from a group of friends that recognise, as we do, the value of an independent body bringing the consumer viewpoint into the key debates of that we must share as we take forward the enterprise agenda. I commend this initiative, and am sure the NCC will prosper as their circle of friends grows. |
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Other speeches by Melanie Johnson MP
(the following are available from the archive) |
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