Consumers

Standard Notes

DateDescription
30.07.2013Business and Consumer Confidence: Economic Indicators page
This page provides latest information on business and consumer confidence surveys, which is generally released ahead of official statistical data and can indicate changes to the economic outlook as well as turning points in the economic cycle.
17.07.2013Plain packaging of tobacco products
This note briefly sets out the background to the current debate in the UK on whether or not the introduction of plain packaging for all tobacco products will have a significant impact on levels of smoking. It also considers the European Commission's review of the Tobacco Products Directive (2001/37/EC), including the merits of extending the scope of the Directive to include the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes. Finally, this note considers the position in Australia, the first country to introduce this kind of legislation.
27.06.2013Pay Day Loans
Payday loans: current regulatory reform and intitiatives
24.05.2013Water bills - are they affordable to all?
Water affordability problems have grown with real-term increases in water bills of around 50% since privatisation in 1989. Current UK Government policy might not ensure that water bills are affordable to all those on low incomes, although support is available for some vulnerable households.
24.05.2013Water bills and rateable values
Members of the public often contact their water company or MP complaining that their water bill is much higher than their neighbour's because of differences to the rateable value of the properties. However, rateable values cannot be changed. Opting for a water meter might be the best option for households seeking to reduce their water bill.
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Research Papers

DateDescription
27.04.2012Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [HL]
The Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [HL] is subject to the fast-track procedure. The Bill was introduced into the House of Lords where it had its Second Reading debate on 24 April 2012. It is expected to complete its remaining stages in the House of Lords on 26 April 2012 and then to be introduced in the House of Commons. All stages of the Bill are expected to take place in the House of Commons on just one day, 30 April 2012. Given these time constraints, this Paper has been published after the Bill's Second Reading in the House of Lords but before its consideration in Committee.
20.01.2012Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Bill
This Bill attempts to update, clarify and consolidate existing law and guidance about what insurance companies might reasonably expect their customers to tell them when they apply for insurance.
22.08.2011London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Amendment) Bill: Committee stage report
This is an account of the House of Commons Committee Stage of the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Amendment) Bill and has been prepared for the Report and Third Reading of the Bill, scheduled for 8 September 2011. It supplements Research Paper 11/34, prepared for the Second Reading of the Bill in the Commons on 28 April 2011.
06.07.2010Economic indicators, July 2010
This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. This edition includes articles on future growth in the UK economy, and the CPI and benefit indexation. [article:'Future growth in the UK economy' and 'The CPI and benefit indexation']
27.01.2010Sunbeds (Regulation) Bill [Bill 19 of 2009-10]
The Bill seeks to create a duty on sunbed businesses to prevent use of sunbeds by under-18s, to provide for local authority enforcement of this duty, and to give Ministers powers to make regulations imposing further conditions on commercial sunbed use.
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Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
24.03.2010Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Helping over-indebted consumers.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
14.07.2009Environmental labelling.
Government response. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
07.07.2009EU Consumer Rights Directive: getting it right.
European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
03.03.2009Environmental labelling.
Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
29.11.2011FAREPAK COMPENSATION
That this House regrets that the victims of the failed Christmas hamper and savings company Farepak have not yet received compensation following the company's liquidation in October ...
15.11.2011PROPOSED CLOSURE OF VIRGIN MEDIA LIVERPOOL OFFICES
That this House is concerned that Virgin Media is proposing to close itsLiverpool offices in Albert Dock with the loss of over 400 jobs; notes that Virgin's aim is to reduce office ...
07.11.2011GUNPOWDER PLOT
That this House believes that the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot should be properly commemorated and that the significance of 5 November should be remembered; recognises the importance ...
18.10.2011BANK AND FINANCIAL TRANSACTION CHARGES
That this House believes that unfair bank and financial transaction charges are still causing significant problems for millions of UK consumers, especially those on low incomes; notes ...
18.10.2011CONSUMER FOCUS SUPER-COMPLAINT INTO FOREIGN CURRENCY FEES
That this House welcomes the super-complaint made by Consumer Focus to the Office of Fair Trading on 21 September 2011, raising concerns about the amount that UK consumers pay for foreign ...
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Lords Library Notes

DateDescription
19.04.2012Sunday Trading (London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Bill [HL] (HL Bill 139 of 2010-12)
This Library Note provides background information on the Sunday Trading (London Olympic and Paralympic Games) Bill due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 24 April 2012.

POST Papers

DateDescription
01.02.2008Smart metering of electricity and gas, February 2008
Smart metering of electricity and gas, February 2008. POSTnote 08/301.

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Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - papers compiled by the House of Lords Library on Bills and for debates in the Lords