SUSAN ASKS CONSTITUENTS TO WORK WITH HER ON CONSUMER ISSUES

3.44.58pm GMT Mon 15th Jan 2007

I have now been working on my new Parliamentary responsibilities shadowing the Department of Trade and Industry for a few weeks.

Looking at all the issues covered by that Department consumer rights, business regulation, age discrimination, support for business and the broader issue of trading standards to name just a few, I realise that many people in this constituency will have their own stories about buying goods and services and dealing with red tape.

My ambition is to bring these experiences to the attention of the government and to give consumers and business a stronger voice when things go wrong or when something needs to be put right. I already get casework which highlights some of the issues but I want to get a complete picture from constituents who may not have contacted me.

That is why I am using my column today to ask you all to let me know when you have had poor service or feel that the system of consumer protection has let you down in some way.

I also want to work with organisations, locally and nationally, that champion the rights of the consumer and who do invaluable work day in and day out to seek redress for people.

If you feel you have examples that need to receive wider attention and where questions need to be asked of Ministers please email my office at:

info@susankramer.org

Susan Kramer MP