Nadine Dorries MP visits the Consumer Protection Association

Former star of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and influential MP Nadine Dorries recently visited the Consumer Protection Association to discuss various issues affecting the home improvement industry and national economy.The MP for Mid-Bedfordshire spent the afternoon with Directors at the organisation, which is a leading industry body that promotes best practice amongst tradesmen and the public, and talked about VAT on home improvement products, recent pension reforms and the state of the UK economy.

The future of the UK economy

CPA Directors started the meeting by discussing the UK economy with Ms Dorries; and talked about whether its members can expect continued growth in the UK economy. Nadine said: “Well that depends on whether Ed Miliband and Alex Salmond are running the country post-election; or you have a conservative led government. If it’s the former I suggest moving to Edinburgh might be a good idea! “The construction industry and economy does look positive going forward though; but there are still so many ways to get the economy moving, that we have not been able to address due to being in a coalition arrangement.” Ms Dorries also said that regardless of who was in power, the country could expect two difficult years before real growth returns.The impact recent pension reforms will have on consumer spending was also debated, with Nadine saying: “Government has enacted the pension reforms to kick start the home improvement industry because where do British people spend their money - on their homes and the change to pension annuities, we hope, will see spending on home improvements increase as people will invest in new conservatories, windows and doors.”

"You’ve led the industry when it comes to protecting homeowners and helping home improvement companies grow their business"

The visit also doubled up as a celebration of the CPA’s twenty one years in business and Nadine praised the organisation’s work: “When my office said to me you’re meeting the CPA I knew instantly who that was, as everybody knows about the CPA because it is so well trusted by consumers. “You’ve not only worked to raise standards in your industry; but you’ve led the industry when it comes to protecting homeowners and helping home improvement companies grow their business; and I think you’ve been at the forefront of so much positive change in your industry. There is so much happening today in terms of support for businesses at all levels and the CPA is such a vital part of that.” Jeremy Brett, CPA Director, comments: “It was an honour to welcome Nadine to the CPA and to hear her thoughts on the industry’s we serve and what our members can expect from the economy going forward. We were also delighted that she recognised how we have led on the issue of raising standards in the home improvement sector” The CPA is recognised by consumers as one of the most trusted resources for finding accredited and vetted installers. As well as Insurance Backed Guarantees and Deposit Protection; the CPA also offer its members a host of beneficial schemes such as marketing support; sales training help; and quarterly assessment reports that tell members what their customers think about the work they are doing.