Monday, 18th October 2004
(PR 1747)
LANCASHIRE consumers are to benefit from a new, county-wide Consumer Support Network (CSN) that will involve Age Concern, CABs and Lancashire Trading Standards Service.
The CSN, to be launched on 18 October, means that Age Concern and CAB staff will team up with trading standards officers from Lancashire County Council to create a county-wide network of support for consumers having problems with goods and services.
A total of 16 partners and 65 gateway agencies are involved to deliver more effective advice to consumers.
Derek King, representing 13 Lancashire Citizens' Advice Bureaux, said:
"CABs have long enjoyed a close and fruitful relationship with Lancashire Trading Standards Service.
"We are sure this growth in partnership working under the CSN umbrella will promote consumer confidence by targeting project activity and sharing information."
County Councillor Doreen Pollitt, Lancashire County Council deputy leader with responsibility for Public Protection Services, said:
"Confident and informed consumers are essential to the well-being of the county - and this new network will vastly increase our ability to help the public.
"The old approach could have meant that someone seeking help with, for example, a mental health problem would have received the help requested. It may have become apparent, however, that they also had a problem as a consumer of goods or services.
"This new approach means that they will be referred direct to Trading Standards. Combining with different agencies means that people's needs will be met in a better way than in the past.
"It will ensure that trader malpractice is more easily identified and support provided."
As well as steering people towards Trading Standards, partner agencies will also be provided with information on basic consumer problems.
Age Concern's Linda Salazar said:
"We welcome the opportunity to work with other agencies in informing and protecting older people.
"We have already worked with Trading Standards to reduce doorstep crime - that experience highlighted the potential vulnerability of older people and the need for joined-up advice and assistance."
Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Employment Relations, Competition and Consumers, said:
"Lancashire consumers can now look forward to better advice and help.
"I see this CSN as the way forward in providing consumers with quality-assured advice and information."
Notes for Editors
Lancashire Consumer Support Network consists of 17 Partner Agencies. They are:-
Nationally there are 191 Consumer Support Networks with 163 formally registered and covering 91% of the population.
Consumer Support Networks:
What do Consumer Support Networks do?
The network ensures that whenever people seek help - whether they need simple information or advice, mediation or even support in the courts - they are able to approach any of the agencies within it and receive the right help.
Networks:
Further information and background from:
The Consumer Support Network Steering Group members
Austin Staunton Morecambe and Heysham Citizens Advice Bureau 01524 400404
Derek King Hyndburn Citizens Advice Bureau 01254 304103
Julian Edwards Lancashire Trading Standards 01772 533633
Kathryn Biddulph Lancashire Trading Standards 01772 530631
For media enquiries only please contact: Neil Graham on 01772 531095
neil.graham@css.lancscc.gov.uk