Ed Mayo to lead Labour’s Consumer Investigation

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, will lead Labour's new investigation, which launches today (Friday 10 February 2012), to confront 'bad companies' and get a better deal for consumers.

As lead investigator, consumer champion, Ed Mayo, will look into ways of backing consumers and ending 'con culture', to ensure markets work fairly for businesses and consumers alike.

He will also examine proposals to better empower customers by introducing a class action framework into the UK, allowing consumers to seek redress collectively.

The procedure, which exists elsewhere including Australia and the USA, means that consumers are able to launch a claim together. Currently in Britain consumer group Which? is the only body which can bring forward class actions. The recent PIP breast implants scandal highlights the type of case where class action could give greater redress.

This investigative role, taken on by Ed Mayo, with the support of the Co-operatives UK Board, follows neatly on from Ed Mayo's former role as Chief Executive of Consumer Focus and dovetails with his current work leading Co-operatives UK, the trade association for co-operative enterprises.

The investigation is being launched at Citizens Advice in London by Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna and Shadow Consumer Minister Ian Murray and will feed into Labour's Business and Enterprise Policy Review. As part of the investigation, Ed Mayo will hold a series of Consumer Hearings across the country.

Commenting, Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna, said: "We need to change the rules of the game to stop business and consumers getting a raw deal.

"Labour's Consumer Investigation, led by consumer champion Ed Mayo, will look into ways that we can empower consumers, back responsible business, underpin fair markets and end the rip off culture which too often has faced consumers.

"We need a fairer deal for consumers and businesses alike and that's why I'm delighted that Ed Mayo is leading Labour's Consumer Investigation."

Ed Mayo added: "The best businesses take the high road and live up to their promises for consumers, but in tough times, many more are doing the opposite - with poor service, new charges and lock-in contracts designed to cut people's choice.

"The Investigation will hold evidence hearings involving key stakeholders across the business and consumer landscape with the aim of looking at the best ways of getting rid of this consumer con culture and to reward the companies who put their customers first."