That this House criticises large retailers who chose to adopt the American retail custom of Black Friday on the day after the American Thanksgiving holiday and at the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season; notes that the huge discounts led to scenes of disorder in some stores as many police had to attend to prevent or break up fights in stores, whilst other stores were forced to close; further notes with concern the safety risk that this custom poses; further notes that many shoppers suffered injuries due to the level of public disorder caused by this event; recognises the importance of police time and the unnecessarily high demands that Black Friday is placing on it; sympathises with police officers who have expressed frustrations including Sir Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, who said that officers have enough to do already; and calls on all UK retailers not to mark this event in 2015 or again.

That this House criticises large retailers who chose to adopt the American retail custom of Black Friday on the day after the American Thanksgiving holiday and at the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season; notes that the huge discounts led to scenes of disorder in some stores as many...

That this House recognises the work of Electrical Safety First, a charity dedicated to preventing deaths, injuries and damage caused by electricity, to raise awareness of people being put at risk by a new trend in which thousands of potentially dangerous counterfeit products are out on sale on social media; notes that sales of illegal, fake goods on social media have increased by nearly 15 per cent in the last year; further notes that, in the past year, the percentage of counterfeit goods seized by authorities because they posed a threat to people's health and safety has doubled, with the number of mobile telephones seized for this reason increasing by over 50 per cent in the last year; further notes that counterfeit electrical products often contain faulty parts, causing electric shocks, overheating and the ability to catch fire contributing to nearly 6,000 house fires; and calls on the Government to assess and tackle the number of dangerous counterfeit electrical goods being sold on social media in the UK.

That this House recognises the work of Electrical Safety First, a charity dedicated to preventing deaths, injuries and damage caused by electricity, to raise awareness of people being put at risk by a new trend in which thousands of potentially dangerous counterfeit products are out on sale on social media;...

That this House notes that one in four people in Britain is obese, with two-thirds of the population overweight, and the growth of NHS costs associated with obesity and diabetes; further notes the link between added sugar in processed foods and drinks and obesity; further notes that the maximum amount of added sugar the World Health Organisation recommends per day is six teaspoonfuls for women and nine for men, and that the promotion of high sugar products is often as low fat products; and calls on the Government to support moves to express added sugar in teaspoonfuls on product packaging and to restrict the advertising of high sugar products as low fat products.

That this House notes that one in four people in Britain is obese, with two-thirds of the population overweight, and the growth of NHS costs associated with obesity and diabetes; further notes the link between added sugar in processed foods and drinks and obesity; further notes that the maximum amount...

That this House notes the success of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) as a campaigning organisation; further notes that this success is built on its membership and the strength of its branch network; further notes that in 2014 East Lancashire CAMRA celebrates its 40th anniversary, along with having one of its branch members, Stephen Dilworth, as the landlord of the national CAMRA Pub of the Year, The Swan with Two Necks; and congratulates John Webster, the Chairman of East Lancashire CAMRA and its membership on its 40th anniversary.

That this House notes the success of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) as a campaigning organisation; further notes that this success is built on its membership and the strength of its branch network; further notes that in 2014 East Lancashire CAMRA celebrates its 40th anniversary, along with having one...

That this House notes that EU Directive 2012/33/EU regarding the sulphur content of marine fuels from 1 January 2015 will require ships in the Sulphur Emission Control Area to use fuel with a sulphur content that cannot exceed 0.1 per cent; further notes that the Sulphur Emission Control Area covers the English Channel, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea and therefore has a particularly adverse effect on the UK shipping industry in particular; considers that as a result fuel prices and the cost of shipping will increase; is concerned that these increased costs are likely to be passed on to the consumer and are already costing jobs in the shipping industry; further notes that jobs have already been lost in the shipping industry, that additional jobs are under threat, and that this is detrimental to coastal communities; further notes that the Government has been consulted on the implantation of this directive; and calls on the Government to demand exemptions to protect jobs in British shipping and British ports, reflecting that the UK is unique in the EU as an international maritime trading nation.

That this House notes that EU Directive 2012/33/EU regarding the sulphur content of marine fuels from 1 January 2015 will require ships in the Sulphur Emission Control Area to use fuel with a sulphur content that cannot exceed 0.1 per cent; further notes that the Sulphur Emission Control Area covers...

That this House recognises the importance of encouraging people to exercise regularly and to have a healthy, balanced diet to avoid health conditions such as diabetes and obesity; believes that sportsmen and women should act as ambassadors for encouraging sporting activity and leading a healthy lifestyle; finds brands such as Sugarpova, which are marketed by admired sportsmen and women, encourage young people to eat excessive amounts of sugar; and calls on the Government to take action to help people to lead healthier lives and to adopt Action on Sugar's proposal to ban sports sponsorships of unhealthy foods.

That this House recognises the importance of encouraging people to exercise regularly and to have a healthy, balanced diet to avoid health conditions such as diabetes and obesity; believes that sportsmen and women should act as ambassadors for encouraging sporting activity and leading a healthy lifestyle; finds brands such as...

That this House welcomes the publication of the Trading Standards Workforce Survey which shows that the number of trading standards staff in local authorities has been halved since 2009; values the work that trading standards officers do in their local communities to protect vulnerable elderly residents from rogue traders and scams, prevent young people from accessing age restricted products like tobacco, alcohol and knives and ensure consumers receive accurate information on what they are buying, protecting them from food fraud and unsafe goods; applauds trading standards professionals for maintaining a high level of service despite shrinking resources; further welcomes the Government's commitment to consumer protection as represented by the Consumer Rights Bill; and encourages the Government to continue working with trading standards and local authorities to find long-term solutions to the problem of constrained resources for local authority trading standards services.

That this House welcomes the publication of the Trading Standards Workforce Survey which shows that the number of trading standards staff in local authorities has been halved since 2009; values the work that trading standards officers do in their local communities to protect vulnerable elderly residents from rogue traders and...

That this House notes with concern that there remain some 625,000 customers across the UK out of pocket following the mis-selling of cashback warranties by Scottish Power; further notes that the conclusions of a DTI report from the early 2000s investigating the scandal have not yet been released; is concerned by the reported attempts of Scottish Power to evade its responsibility for paying out to many thousands of its out-of-pocket customers; and calls on the Government to launch an urgent inquiry into this matter.

That this House notes with concern that there remain some 625,000 customers across the UK out of pocket following the mis-selling of cashback warranties by Scottish Power; further notes that the conclusions of a DTI report from the early 2000s investigating the scandal have not yet been released; is concerned...

That this House notes that the Copyright and Rights in Performances (Personal Copies for Private Use) Regulations 2014 were laid before Parliament on 27 March 2014; further notes that this measure will mean that consumers can legally copy copyright material which they have lawfully acquired for their own private and personal use; observes that the Culture, Media and Sport Committee has stated that it is not convinced that a facility for private copying is factored into the purchase either of music or devices that store, play or copy it (Third Report, Supporting the creative economy, HC674, para 73); believes that the Government has not specified, as it is obliged to by international law, how musicians, composers, performers and creators will be fairly compensated under this proposal; is concerned that the accompanying impact assessment clearly states that the proposal will represent a transfer of value from rights-holders to the technology industry; acknowledges the economic power and cultural impact of the creative industries; and calls on the Government to withdraw these draft regulations and re-lay them in amended form to ensure that the creative content-producing sector does not suffer harm.

That this House notes that the Copyright and Rights in Performances (Personal Copies for Private Use) Regulations 2014 were laid before Parliament on 27 March 2014; further notes that this measure will mean that consumers can legally copy copyright material which they have lawfully acquired for their own private and...

That this House welcomes the Trading Standards Workforce Survey published by the National Trading Standards Board and the Trading Standards Institute (TSI); expresses concern at the cuts to local authority trading standards services of up to 86 per cent; recognises these cuts to trading standards put the public at risk of rogue traders, scams and unsafe products; believes that the Government has a duty to maintain adequate consumer protection in the UK and therefore agrees with the TSI that the National Audit Office should look at the system of consumer protection in its entirety including local enforcement when reviewing changes to the consumer landscape; and urges the Government to work with trading standards and local authorities to find solutions.

That this House welcomes the Trading Standards Workforce Survey published by the National Trading Standards Board and the Trading Standards Institute (TSI); expresses concern at the cuts to local authority trading standards services of up to 86 per cent; recognises these cuts to trading standards put the public at risk...

That this House expresses its concern at the use of clauses in holiday letting companies' terms and conditions which state that they cannot be held accountable for the state of properties which they advertise; understands the disappointment and distress which can be caused to holidaymakers when a holiday cottage does not match the description advertised by a holiday letting company; believes that on these occasions it is only right that a customer has recourse to compensation from the company which advertised the property and to which money was paid; notes that under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 customers have the right to have any problem with a product resolved by the retailer and it is then for the retailer to address any issue with the supplier, and believes that similar regulations should be put in place in relation to holiday letting companies; feels that it is unfair that currently holidaymakers need to go to court to prove a contractual term is unfair; and calls on the Government to review the law relating to holiday letting companies with a view to introducing new regulations strengthening the rights of customers at the earliest opportunity.

That this House expresses its concern at the use of clauses in holiday letting companies' terms and conditions which state that they cannot be held accountable for the state of properties which they advertise; understands the disappointment and distress which can be caused to holidaymakers when a holiday cottage does...

That this House notes it is 25 years since Beer Orders were introduced in 1989 by a Conservative Prime Minister and Chancellor to break up the unhealthy dominance of the big six brewers which restricted choice for consumers and access to the market for small brewers; believes that the Government was right and courageous to take action, showing that Conservative Ministers do intervene in markets when they are failing consumers; further notes that due to industry lobbying the Government ignored the advice of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and did not introduce a pub ownership limit for non-brewing companies, a fundamental flaw that led to the creation of the large pubcos; further notes that before Beer Orders, there were big six brewers dominating the market, now there are six big pubcos and the large leased pubcos have abused the traditional brewery tie making it unfair for licensees and bad for customers; further believes that 25 years on the Government must put right the flaw in the Beer Orders by introducing a market rent only option for the tenants of the large companies; further notes that this is a market-based solution that would open the market and give consumers a better deal; and urges Ministers not to give in to well-funded, self-interested lobbying by the large pubcos and their lobbyists, the British Beer and Pub Association; and instead listen to CAMRA, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Forum of Private Business.

That this House notes it is 25 years since Beer Orders were introduced in 1989 by a Conservative Prime Minister and Chancellor to break up the unhealthy dominance of the big six brewers which restricted choice for consumers and access to the market for small brewers; believes that the Government...

That this House welcomes the publication of the Nuisance Calls Action Plan by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; notes that the Action Plan sets out the actions being taken by Government, regulators, consumer groups and industry to tackle nuisance calls; further welcomes the news that the Government will consult on lowering the legal threshold for when firms can be fined for making nuisance calls; further welcomes the announcement by the Ministry of Justice that there are plans to impose fines of hundreds of thousands of pounds on claims management companies which use information gathered by unsolicited calls and texts and other bad practices; and calls on the Government to continue to work with regulators and industry to ensure that the measures set out in the Action Plan do tackle the plague of nuisance calls once and for all.

That this House welcomes the publication of the Nuisance Calls Action Plan by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; notes that the Action Plan sets out the actions being taken by Government, regulators, consumer groups and industry to tackle nuisance calls; further welcomes the news that the Government will...

That this House congratulates Age Cymru on its timely and vital campaign to protect vulnerable older people in Wales from scams, such as postal scams, nuisance calls, investment scams, fake PPI recovery offers, internet repair scammers, courier scams and internet scams; and calls for the Government to examine the case for drastically increasing the scope and the scale of No Cold Calling zones to protect older people from rogue traders and high pressure salespeople on their doorstep and for internet service providers to work with other service and product providers to supply easily and affordably higher levels of security capable of blocking or quarantining scams.

That this House congratulates Age Cymru on its timely and vital campaign to protect vulnerable older people in Wales from scams, such as postal scams, nuisance calls, investment scams, fake PPI recovery offers, internet repair scammers, courier scams and internet scams; and calls for the Government to examine the case...

That this House notes that, according to the Electrical Safety Council, the average level of success of electrical product recalls, at an estimated 10 to 20 per cent, is worryingly low and places the public at unnecessary risk from fire and electric shock; expresses concern over the quality of guidance currently provided on how and when to initiate a recall action; believes that information on the progress of electrical product recalls should be collated and made generally available to ensure the public is kept informed; and calls on the Government to investigate these and other associated measures at the nearest opportunity, in order better to protect consumers.

That this House notes that, according to the Electrical Safety Council, the average level of success of electrical product recalls, at an estimated 10 to 20 per cent, is worryingly low and places the public at unnecessary risk from fire and electric shock; expresses concern over the quality of guidance...

That this House condemns Spark Energy for charging consumers up to £390 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account, so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the Regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns Spark Energy for charging consumers up to £390 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not...

That this House condemns Southern Electric for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account, so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the Regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns Southern Electric for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not...

That this House condemns SSE for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account, so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the Regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns SSE for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have...

That this House condemns Sainsbury's Energy for charging consumers an average of £73 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account, so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the Regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns Sainsbury's Energy for charging consumers an average of £73 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do...

That this House condemns Scottish Hydro for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not have a bank account so paying by direct debit is impossible; recognises that this hits the poorest and most vulnerable people in society the hardest; and calls for the Government and the Regulator to review this issue.

That this House condemns Scottish Hydro for charging consumers up to £80 per annum for not paying their gas and electricity bills by direct debit; notes that 45 per cent of households do not pay their electricity bills by direct debit; further notes that one million British adults do not...