WIREDGOV

As the Consumer Rights Bill enters Parliament, Citizens Advice highlights the importance of clearer consumer law and the need for consumers to be able to take action together to tackle unfair practices.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“People are losing money they often can’t afford to spare because consumer law is unclear and some firms aren’t upholding their rights.  Citizens Advice helps with one million consumer problems a year as people struggle to get broken items fixed or their money back.  From used cars to botched building work people are finding themselves going around in circles trying to sort their problem out.

“The Consumer Rights Bill is a real opportunity to make things clearer and address holes in the current law.  We want the Bill to give people the power to take class action against firms for a wide-range of consumer unfair practices and get sellers to put consumer rights information at the point of sale.”

Anyone who has a consumer problem and needs advice can contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06 or 08454 04 05 05 for Welsh language line.

Citizens Advice

Notes to editors

1. This year the Citizens Advice service celebrates its 75th anniversary. We’ve planned a year of activity running from January to December 2014.  Contact the press office to find out more.
2. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
3. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
4. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at www.adviceguide.org.uk
5. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06 or 08454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
6. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 6.6 million problems from April 2012 to March 2013. For full 2012/2013 service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
7. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 22,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.