Consumer Direct, a new service providing consumer advice and
support, was launched in Scotland yesterday. Based in the Outer
Hebrides, the new call centre service will be rolled out across the
rest of the UK over the next few years.
The national consumer help line, funded by the Department of
Trade and Industry, will allow customers to get quick, practical
advice on any consumer issue just by phoning one national number.
Calls will be charged at local rates from any landline.
It will also offer practical information and advice via its web
site, and on-line users will be able to e-mail their queries to
advisers at the newly built contact centre in Shawbost, on the Isle
of Lewis.
By the end of the summer, Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber and
the South West will have come on-line, and Consumer Direct will be
available in all UK regions by spring 2007, says the DTI.
