A Private Members Bill calling for the appointment of an independent supermarket ombudsman in the UK has passed its first hurdle to becoming law in the House of Commons.
The bill received 44 votes in favour with none voting against it on Friday (5 March) at its second reading debate. It has now been referred to a Public Bill Committee on a date to be confirmed.
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The bill would establish an independent ombudsman for the grocery market to oversee the operation of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.
Although funded by the Office for Fair Trading, the ombudsman would be independent of it and would investigate complaints or disputes referred by the OFT, retailers or suppliers.
The ombudsman’s determination would be final and binding on all parties and he/she would have the power to impose monetary penalties and/or costs. The Secretary of State would establish by regulation an appropriate range for such penalties, and would provide for enforcement.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) said the bill has made “major progress” towards becoming law.
“The bill, which enjoys cross-party support, needed 35 MPs to vote for it during its second reading in the Commons this morning and I am very pleased that it received 44 votes with none in opposition,” said FUW vice president Eifion Huws.
“By clearing this hurdle the bill has made major progress to becoming law and we strongly hope the big supermarkets will not play for time and try to reduce the powers of the proposed ombudsman as it passes through parliament.
“The vote is a major step forward towards fairness for consumers above all but also for suppliers,” he added.
