Watchdog Mergers Will Let Down Consumers - Davey

3.57.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Oct 2006

Liberal Democrat Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary, Edward Davey MP

Government plans to merge the National Consumer Council, Energywatch and Postwatch have been attacked by the Liberal Democrats for letting down consumers.

Commenting on today's announcement by Ian McCartney, Liberal Democrat Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary, Edward Davey MP said:

"The Government is muzzling independent watchdogs for energy and Post Offices, just as consumers are seeing soaring energy costs and threats to thousands of Post Offices.

"This is a typical Labour bullyboy attempt to silence critics but we will oppose if hard in the Commons.

"Ministers claim they are creating a single powerful consumer watchdog when in fact their plans exclude most consumer bodies."