Asked by: Baroness Wilcox (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to replace the UK European Consumer Centre’s role in sharing intelligence within the European enforcement network after March 2020, to ensure that cross-border criminal breaches and so-called "problem" traders are identified and dealt with appropriately.
Answered by Lord Henley
Delivering the deal negotiated with the EU remains the Government’s top priority. This has not changed. However, the Government must prepare for every eventuality. In the event of a no deal exit, the Government has committed to fund the UK’s European Consumer Centre for at least one year. We will use this time to assess the landscape post EU exit and determine the most effective way to support consumers shopping across borders.
In the event of a no deal exit, UK and EU enforcers will no longer be obliged to cooperate with each other under the terms of the CPC Regulation and Injunctions Directive. However, under the Enterprise Act 2002, UK public bodies will continue to have a power to share information they hold in their capacity as enforcers under Part 8 of the Enterprise Act with their foreign counterparts.
Asked by: Baroness Wilcox (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they to ensure that cross-border consumer protection data to inform national and international enforcement continues once funding for the UK European Consumer Centre ends in March 2020.
Answered by Lord Henley
Delivering the deal negotiated with the EU remains the Government’s top priority. This has not changed. However, the Government must prepare for every eventuality. In the event of a no deal exit, the Government has committed to fund the UK’s European Consumer Centre for at least one year. We will use this time to assess the landscape post EU exit and determine the most effective way to provide consumers with advice about cross-border purchases.
In the event of a no deal exit, UK and EU enforcers will no longer be obliged to cooperate with each other under the terms of the CPC Regulation and Injunctions Directive. However, under the Enterprise Act 2002, UK public bodies will continue to have a power to share information they hold in their capacity as enforcers under Part 8 of the Enterprise Act with their foreign counterparts.
Asked by: Baroness Wilcox (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure the long-term protection of UK consumers after their financial support for the UK European Consumer Centre ends in March 2020.
Answered by Lord Henley
In the event of a no deal exit, the Government has committed to fund the UK’s European Consumer Centre for at least one year. We will use this time to assess the landscape post EU exit and determine the most effective way to provide consumers with advice about cross-border purchases.
However, delivering the deal negotiated with the EU remains the Government’s top priority. The UK remains committed to providing the highest standards of protection to UK consumers. For example, we will publish a comprehensive Consumer White Paper this year to ensure markets provide consumers with competitive prices and quality products and services.