December 2019
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference focuses on the future of consumer protection - as well as wide-ranging proposed changes to the scope and powers of key regulators.
It takes place with government considering responses to its consultation on the Modernising Consumer Markets green paper, and its ongoing work in the areas of:
- improving the service and deals consumers receive from utilities providers;
- strengthening protection of personal data and the benefits it can bring when transacting online;
- moving forward with the development of alternative dispute resolution (ADR); and
- better coordinating the work done by agencies to protect consumers.
Speakers and chair
There will be keynote contributions from:
- Jason Freeman, Director, Consumer Law, Competition and Markets Authority;
- Wendy Martin, Director, National Trading Standards;
- Charles Nancarrow, Director, Trade and Regulation, NAO; and
- Matthew Vickers, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Ombudsman, Ombudsman Services.
Further confirmed speakers: Lisa Ball, BT Group; Sue Davies, Which?; Philip James, Sheridans; Leon Livermore, Chartered Trading Standards Institute; Jane Rumble, Ofcom; David Stallibrass, Fingleton; Ian Thompson, Economic Insight and Matthew Upton, Citizens Advice.
Chairing is Rt Hon the Lord McNally.
The agenda
- Modernising consumer markets: the future scope of consumer protection in the UK;
- The role of regulators in digital markets - scope of powers, speed and agility, and addressing emerging issues;
- Key developments in consumer protection policy - collaboration, cross-border enforcement and the future direction for government policy;
- Effective dispute resolution in the digital age - data and consumer markets, the regulatory framework, and how essential services need to innovate; and
- Issues for data and technology in consumer markets - portability, loyalty penalties and supporting vulnerable consumers.
The policy context
As well as the policy on modernising consumer markets, the seminar comes at a time of further significant policy developments - including:
It also takes place with proposals set out by political parties in the general election campaign relating to issues being discussed in this conference, including legislation to enhance regulatory powers aimed at ending bad practice, the nationalisation of utilities companies, and plans in relation to the UK’s future alignment to EU laws and standards.
Engagement with policy officials at this conference
This Westminster Business Forum conference has attracted strong interest from policymakers. It will be an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with officials who have reserved places representing: BEIS; Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; CMA; DCMS; Department for Education; Defra; DIT; Food Standards Agency; HMRC; HM Treasury; MHCLG; Ofcom; Office for Product Safety & Standards; Office of Rail and Road; Ofgem and Ofwat.
