Pubs to be protected from underhand trading tactics

Pubs should face better protection from rogue traders thanks to the biggest overhaul of consumer laws in 40 years.

The Consumer Protection Regulations, which came into force this week, ban 31 types of unfair sales practices and tighten control on traders.

Firms which use aggressive sales practices, misleading statements and fake credentials are outlawed by the regulations - the first of their kind in the UK.

And they could face substantial fines and prison sentences, depending on the seriousness of the offence.

Around 750,000 businesses will be affected by the new legislation, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) estimates.

A spokesman for BERR confirmed the regulations, which will be enforced by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and Trading Standards, covered "businesses as well as consumers".

Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas said: "Honest traders understand the value of treating customers fairly and they've had enough of losing profit to the small minority of rogues who use underhand tactics to get ahead.

"The Consumer Protection Regulations will deliver better protection for consumers, cut red tape and put in place a simpler and clearer consumer law that will be easier to interpret and enforce."