Written question asked by Ann McKechin (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 November 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 21 November 2014. It was answered by Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 25 November 2014 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Consumers: Protection

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of consolidating Government schemes relating to the accreditation of tradespeople.

Answer: The Government aims to foster greater collaboration between schemes aimed at protecting the consumer as it believes that such collaborations will both enhance clarity and protection to the consumer and thus further marginalise the unscrupulous trader. To support these ambitions relevant Departments are engaged in exploratory discussions to foster closer working between government-sponsored schemes in the home repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) market.

Secondary information