To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any additional measures his Department can take to protect individuals from rogue traders who are exploiting existing loopholes.

My Department’s Trading Standards Service (TSS), as a consumer protection regulator, can investigate complaints alleging unfair trading practices and can investigate breaches of consumer protection legislation, taking appropriate enforcement action, as necessary.

I would recommend that any consumer who has concerns that a trader is treating them unfairly contact the TSS Consumerline service to obtain appropriate advice, relevant to their specific experiences. Queries can be made to Consumerline via Freephone 0300 123 62 62 or by email to Consumerline@economy-ni.gov.uk.