MAY TRADE NEWS Warehouse complex proposed for Peterborough Local authorities urged to help businesses improve recycling Business leaders lose faith in the Labour government Sole traders join forces on the Isle of Wight FPB calls for government to cancel fuel duty increase Consumers get better protection from rogue traders Health and beauty sector will grow despite economic slowdown Credit crunch hits wholesale and retail businesses' cash flows CBI reports manufacturers expect to increase prices Businesses attack new agency worker rules Credit crunch 'has not stopped owners selling their businesses' BRC stresses UK firms do not use exploitative suppliers OFT targets retailers who claim to be closing Carbon Trust urged to support small firms London business buck trend as sales increase Bank charges 'could harm small business Small businesses 'could be hurt by extended flexible working rules' BRC reports gloomy sales figures Businesses urged to embrace rail network Business pessimistic about economic future Fuel duty rises 'should be postponed to help businesses and consumers' Report calls for better government support of small businesses Businesses asked for bribes to win contracts Small businesses hit by staff absences Small businesses 'turn to older employees to plug skills gap' Businesses warned of continuing economic slowdown Tories pledge to support small suppliers and local businesses Continuity plans 'vital for small firms' Manufacturers force to pass rising costs on to customers Oxfordshire Retailers Flex Their Muscle FSB steps up campaign to protect local suppliers Small firms 'are turning to bridging loans to maintain cash flows' Government looks to help business by streamlining consumer laws Business disappointed by interest rate hold Shop prices 'only rising slowly' Postal competition 'has not helped small wholesalers' Small firms are turning to bridging loans to maintain cash flows South-west's roads 'need to be improved to help wholesalers' Retailers see April increase in shoppers Government urged to involve small firms in tax forum Good online retail practice satisfies customers Small retailers urged to embrace gift card schemes Commission inquiry not doing enough for small retailers Hornby buys model car maker Corgi Trade News Archive May 08 April 08 March 08 February 08 January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 27th May 2008 Consumers get better protection from rogue traders New rules which target rogue traders have come into force in the UK. Yesterday (May 26th), the new Consumer Protection Regulations were introduced. These require all businesses to treat customers fairly and not to omit important information or make misleading statements when trying to make a sale. The introduction of the rules was welcomed by the National Consumer Council (NCC), which said that it had been working for two decades to improve protection legislation for consumers. Carl Belgrove, a senior policy advocate at the NCC, explained: "These new laws represent a big boost to consumer protection, particularly for vulnerable people who are targeted by rogue traders. "The one thing missing is a way for consumers to claim compensation when businesses act unfairly and we hope that will be remedied soon." The group explained that the same legislation in Ireland includes a civil redress mechanism that means consumers can take legal action when unfair commercial practices have been exposed. Currently, the Law Commission is examining the possibility of introducing similar systems in the UK. However, it is not thought that it will deliver its report on the issue until 2010 at the earliest.   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd.