Reaction to the suspension of doorstep selling activities

Reaction to the suspension of doorstep selling activities

Surrey County Council Trading Standards today responded to the news that Scottish and Southern Energy has suspended its doorstep selling activities.

The announcement comes after the company was found guilty at Guildford Crown Court, in May, of misleading selling activities during a successful prosecution by Surrey County Council Trading Standards. Scottish and Southern Energy are currently appealing the court’s decision.

Kay Hammond, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “There are plenty of ways for companies to promote their services but we do not believe cold calling should be one of them. In Surrey we have a series of no cold calling zones to protect people from the activities of cold callers. We advise anyone approached by an unsolicited salesperson on their doorstep to decline their offer.”

Steve Playle, a Surrey County Council Trading Standards officer, said: “Surrey County Council Trading Standards Service has been vigorously campaigning for the last five years to encourage householders to never deal with cold calling doorstep traders. We regularly take enforcement action against those traders who mislead and deceive vulnerable consumers on the doorstep. We are working on alternative ways to help consumers find the most cost effective energy supplier and we believe such work should be undertaken independently of the energy providers. We are also exploring different funding options to get this work up and running.”

ENDS

For more information and interviews, contact Surrey County Council senior media relations officer James Oxley on 0208 541 7259, or email james.oxley@surreycc.gov.uk

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