Swindon Advertiser Column: We Have To Protect & Empower Consumers

New data has shown that members of the public who stay loyal to their six essential service markets - energy, mobile, TV, broadband, home insurance and savings - could actually be on average £1,000 a year worse off than those who frequently switch.

Most people have never switched their providers; either because they think it’s too complicated or because they believe they are getting better rewards for being loyal. It’s called the loyalty penalty – where companies attract you with competitive prices and then, when you don’t shop around, prices rise and extra charges (including exit fees) sneak on to your bill.

Consumer protection is something I’ve been very active on in Parliament since 2010. I’ve pushed Ministers to change the law on how charges on loans & mortgages are displayed. We did so by pointing out that even Treasury officials couldn’t calculate APR! We even lobbied for greater powers for consumers to challenge businesses who rip off customers.

While this progress is welcome, it’s clear we need to go even further in equipping consumers to make the decisions which allow them to get more while paying less. The parliamentary cross-party group on consumer protection, of which I am vice chair, will be making recommendations to ministers to increase public awareness of the benefits of switching.

I will be highlighting the importance of ensuring that companies produce clear information, in plain English, to ensure customers know the exact value of the bill and what options are available to them. Alongside this, we’re already creating the next generation of informed and savvy shoppers through teaching financial education in schools.

My successful campaign to add this subject to the National Curriculum means that for the first time, students are learning about money, interest and finance in maths and citizenship through real-world scenarios.

Elsewhere I was delighted to welcome one of our fantastic head teachers, Ruth Robinson, to Parliament this week. Ruth, who is the executive head of both Swindon Academy and Nova Hreod, was asked to meet with Schools Minister Nick Gibb following his visit to Swindon earlier this year.

Both Ruth and Nick had a long chat about the work being done locally and nationally to drive up standards and ensure that every child reaches their full potential, regardless of their background. I was very proud that Swindon’s schools are at the heart of shaping policy and demonstrating best practise so I was delighted Ruth was able to visit and spend lots of time with key decision makers.

Finally, a huge congratulations to Swindon Supermarine for their promotion to the Southern Premier League! Bank holiday Monday was an exceptionally happy and proud day as I joined the players and supporters on the two and a half hour coach journey down to Wimborne Town for the play-off final. The semi-finals had been a tense game away to Evesham United where we eventually won on penalties! And unbelievably the final also went down to penalties as neither side could break the deadlock after 90 minutes followed by extra time. My heartfelt congratulations to the players, officials, supporters and volunteers who make our local non-league club so special. Not to mention our fantastic chairman Jez Webb whose dedication to the club has led us to this incredible achievement.