Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008

Again I thank the Minister for explaining these regulations, which I think originate in the Citizens Advice complaint to the OFT in 2002. I understand that they extend the existing right of consumers to a seven day cooling-off period for unsolicited visits to solicited ones as well. We understand the impetus behind the regulations and certainly agree that vulnerable consumers need protection from unscrupulous vendors. However, I have one particular question to which I am sure the Minister can provide a satisfactory answer. Once these regulations are in force, if, as an example, I invite a plumber to carry out some work on my house and within seven days I decide I do not like the quality of his work, can I avoid the contract with him? If so, can he sue me, and on what legal basis? I cannot believe that he would not be allowed to sue, but if he cannot, would it not simply allow me to take advantage of the regulations to get work done for free? Under the law as it stands, before confirmation of these regulations, I can argue with the plumber that his work was deficient, but at least he has a contractual basis on which to argue with me. The Small Business Advice Service made it clear during the consultation process that it believes these regulations will result in increased costs for many legitimate businesses while having a limited impact on real rogue traders. How does the Minister propose to ensure that such negative impact is kept to the absolute minimum and that the regulations are enforced effectively to curb the operations of such rogue traders?