Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with regulators regarding the adequacy of consumer protection in online marketplaces.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 makes clear that online marketplaces must exercise professional diligence in relation to consumer transactions promoted or made on their platforms.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and local Trading Standards teams can take enforcement action against breaches of consumer protection law by online marketplaces. The Department regularly engages with the CMA and Trading Standards on issues affecting consumers, including the adequacy of consumer protection in online marketplaces.

The Department is also consulting on reforming the product safety framework, including proposals for online marketplaces to take steps to ensure consumer safety.