Rother District Council

Consumers in East Sussex are able to call Consumer Direct South East, a new advice and information line, for clear and practical advice on a range of issues.

From a £20 pair of shoes developing a fault, a £200 sofa ripping after only a few weeks, to a garage repair bill that seems too expensive, Consumer Direct aims to provide consumers with the knowledge, tools and confidence to resolve consumer problems themselves. What's more, the advice is free.

Open to the public six days a week, the service is available to anyone who calls the number - 08454 04 05 06. You will then be connected to professionally trained advisors at the Contact Centre in Maidstone who have undergone intensive training to be able to deal with all manner of enquiries. The service is also available online at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

Working in partnership with local Trading Standards, Citizens Advice and other Consumer Support Network members, the service is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry.

"Consumer Direct is about helping people to help themselves by informing them of the possible pitfalls they face in buying goods and services and, importantly, making sure they know their rights," said Councillor Bob Tidy, East Sussex County Council lead member for community services.

"By making this service the consumers' first port of call, it frees up time and resources among our Trading Standards people to really focus on dealing with more serious cases such as fraud, rogue traders and counterfeiting."

UK-wide research estimates that the unmet demand for consumer advice could be as high as 1.5 million calls a year over and above what is currently being received by existing services. In addition to this, the Office of Fair Trading has estimated that UK consumers lose out as much as £8 billion each year due to problems with goods and services.

Consumer Minister Gerry Sutcliffe, who was in Brighton today (6 June) to officially launch the service, said: "The launch of Consumer Direct South East is great news for consumers and local Trading Standards.

"By using one number, consumers have easy access to clear and practical consumer advice. Importantly, too, the service will free up the valuable time of local Trading Standards who can now focus their expertise on key issues."

Consumer Direct was first launched in Scotland in July last year before being introduced to Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber and South West. The launch of the service in the South East is part of a staggered rollout across the country that will see Consumer Direct being available nationally by early 2006.

The service is a key part of the DTI's overall strategy of achieving 'prosperity for all' as empowered consumers drive competitive markets leading to increased productivity and innovation.

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