News from the OFT

June 2011

OFT Chief Executive speaks on future competition regime

OFT Chief Executive, John Fingleton, used two recent speeches to highlight how the OFT's experiences could help inform future competition policy. The first looks back at lessons learnt from competition enforcement over the last ten years, and the second outlines the OFT's views on the future of the competition regime.

OFT announces package of measures to address concerns over credit practices

The OFT has announced a series of measures relating to marketing and charging practices used by credit brokers and debt management companies in response to concerns about their impact on vulnerable consumers. This follows a super complaint from Citizens Advice.

Next steps in audit market announced by OFT

The OFT has provisionally decided that there are competition problems in the audit market that pass the statutory test for referral to the Competition Commission, and is now to discuss with interested bodies whether, in practice, potential remedies exist that could allow the Commission to resolve these problems.

High Court rules that terms in thousands of gym contracts are unfair

The OFT has welcomed a ruling from the High Court that minimum contract length terms and a number of other key terms in thousands of gym membership contracts, recommended and enforced by Ashbourne Management Services Limited, are unfair and hence unenforceable.

OFT secures enforcement orders against holiday club companies

The OFT has obtained enforcement orders in the High Court against two companies and seven individuals stopping them using sales and marketing practices the OFT considers to be misleading or otherwise unlawful when selling and marketing holiday club memberships and other holiday-based products.

Market study launched into extended warranties

The OFT has launched a short market study into extended warranties for domestic electrical goods such as televisions, washing machines and computers. The study will focus on whether competition for warranties is sufficiently effective to ensure consumers get value for money in a market worth well over £750million.

OFT decides not to appeal recent Competition Appeal Tribunal judgments

The OFT has confirmed that it is not appealing the judgments of the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in the Construction and Construction Recruitment Forum (CRF) cases. It does not believe its ability to impose substantial fines in the future, at levels sufficient to achieve deterrence, is undermined.

Promoting business compliance with consumer protection law

A recent OFT publication sets out how, by our own actions and in partnership with others, we aim to promote business compliance with consumer protection law.

Consumer contracts 'Top Tips'

The OFT has published consumer contracts 'Top Tips'. These tips have been designed to help businesses establish clear and fair contract terms. The key contract terms that are most likely to cause consumer harm are also summarised.