Strengthen and streamline consumer representation by bringing together the National Consumer Council, Energywatch and Postwatch, giving consumers a more effective, single voice and offering better value for money.
Enable the Secretary of State to require suppliers/service providers in the energy and postal services sectors, and - in future, and subject to further consultation - the water sector in England and Wales to belong to redress schemes to ensure resolution of complaints in those sectors and to award compensation where warranted.
Require the energy and postal services regulators (Ofgem and Postcomm) to prescribe complaint handling standards which will be binding on suppliers in GB (and UK in relation to postal services).
Enable the Secretary of State to require estate agents to join an redress scheme scheme for the purpose of dealing with complaints. The Act also strengthens the regulation of estate agents through measures such as: requiring estate agents to keep permanent records and allowing trading standards officers to inspect those records and expanding the circumstances in which OFT can take regulatory action against estate agents.
Give individuals similar cancellation and cooling-off rights in relation to a sale made during a solicited sales visit as they have in relation to an unsolicited visit.
