Office of Fair Trading News
OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING  The Office of Fair Trading is a non-ministerial government department established by statute in 1973. The OFT is the UK's consumer and competition authority. Their primary goals are to encourage businesses to comply with competition and consumer law, stopping offending companies and by empowering consumers to enable them to make informed choices. As a result, consumers benefit from improved value, choice and quality in products and services, and are much less likely to encounter problems. WEBSITE SPONSORS
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 OFT refuses to licence debt advice firmThe OFT has refused to grant a consumer credit licence to a sole trader, Stewart Richard Wilson, because of his failure to demonstrate he had the required competencies to run a debt advice business. OFT refers car club merger to the Competition CommissionThe OFT has referred the completed acquisition by Zipcar, Inc of Streetcar Limited to the Competition Commission for further investigation. OFT takes action over misleading European health insurance websitesThe OFT has taken action against four online traders who deceptively sold consumers European Health Insurance Cards. OFT confirms scope of equity underwriting market studyThe OFT has set out the final scope of its market study into equity underwriting and associated services. OFT turns down County Durham man for credit licenceThe OFT has found a County Durham man, William O’Rourke, unfit to hold a credit licence and has refused his application to set up a debt collection business. OFT publishes Annual Report 2009-10The OFT has published its Annual Report for the last financial year and an estimate of its financial benefits to consumers. The report shows that the OFT has saved consumers at least £359m per year on average over the period 2007 to 2010 in competition enforcement, consumer protection, merger and markets work across the economy. OFT consults on recommendation to extend the public transport ticketing schemes block exemptionThe OFT is consulting on a proposal to recommend an extension of the public transport ticketing schemes block exemption. OFT launches consultation on online consumer protectionProtecting UK consumers online is the focus of a long-term strategy launched for consultation by the OFT. The strategy proposes three broad areas for action to protect consumers and drive competition and economic growth in online markets. OFT warns against increase in rogue doorstep traders during summer monthsThe Office of Fair Trading is warning people that the summer is an opportune time for rogue traders. Last year, advice service Consumer Direct received more than 5,300 complaints about traders offering home maintenance work on the doorstep. Next Page | Last Page | |
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RECENT NEWS SUMMARY OFT and CC working together to improve competition regimeOFT consults on financial services strategy OFT to focus investigation into unarranged overdraft charges on three banks OFT welcomes Court of Appeal Judgment in Foxtons case on Unfair terms OFT accepts divestment of medical waste plant in SRCL/Cliniserve merger OFT bans East Yorkshire estate agent OFT sets out responsive approach for uncertain times Payment Systems working better for consumers but more to be done, OFT finds OFT refers Holland andamp;amp; Barrett / Julian Graves merger to the Competition Commission Changes to OFT consumer credit licence fees |