|
|
News CategoriesThis story is tagged with the following keywords |
Consumer Focus calls for clear regulatory remits by Roger Milne Consumer Focus has called for a review of regulation and regulators in a bid to establish clearer objectives and responsibilities between government and regulatory authorities. In a discussion paper published this week, the consumer watchdog argued that each regulator should have clear statutory objectives "unambiguously focused on the consumer interest". It proposed that each government department publish a strategic policy document for each regulated area within its remit, which would spell out what the objectives were and how they would be delivered. "This would draw the government out to say what it wants to achieve and provide an accountability framework against which the regulator's performance can be assessed," said the paper. Consumer Focus suggested there should be a "regulatory contract" between government departments and regulators setting out their day-to-day relationship and what resources each should deploy. The paper also argued that regulators with consumer-facing statutory objectives should have people with consumer expertise involved in regulatory decisions. It suggested that designated consumer bodies might have a formal role in regulatory settlements and price control appeals. In addition, the watchdog urged greater parliamentary scrutiny of regulation by the new Regulatory Reform Select Committee. The paper said government departments could commission a regulator to advise on "issues exhibiting agreed policy characteristics", but final decisions would rest with ministers. Source: Utility Week © Faversham House Group Ltd 2010. News articles may be copied or forwarded
for individual use only. No other reproduction or distribution is permitted without prior written consent.
|
Highlighted Jobs |
|
|