DTI Appoints New NCC Chair

Consumer Minister Gerry Sutcliffe has appointed Lord Whitty as the new Chair of the National Consumer Council (NCC). Gerry Sutcliffe said: "I am pleased to announce the appointment of Lord Whitty as the new Chair of the National Consumer Council. I am confident that he will be a strong champion for a fair deal for consumers.

However, Lord Whitty was previously Minister for Farming, Food and Sustainable Energy at the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and is clearly close to the Government on many issues.

The Government has proposed to reform and strengthen consumer representation, and the National Consumer Council has a brief to champion the consumer interest to bring policy changes that will benefit all, particularly the disadvantaged.

Debt on our Doorstep remains concerned that the NCC has been too close to Government on consumer credit issues in the past, and particularly last year in its intervention over its opposition to interest rate ceilings. Direct appointment of the Chair by the Consumer Minister is not a helpful way to secure the independence of the organisation.