My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State will hold discussions with the chair of the new National Consumer Council on a wide range of consumer matters including any plans the council may have in relation to problems faced by small businesses in the postal and energy sectors.
The Consumers Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 provides the new National Consumer Council with extensive powers to investigate complaints and the definition of "consumer" in the Act is sufficiently wide to incorporate small businesses. However the new National Consumer Council is an independent body and will consult on its priorities and how it intends to address the range of issues affecting consumers in its business plan.