| SIX OF THE BEST FOR DTI’S ‘CONSUMER DIRECT’ HELPLINE - Western Isles Scottish Bid |
17 October 2003 |
|
All six of the proposals to run pathfinders for the DTI’s new consumer advice helpline, Consumer Direct, have been chosen to go through to the second stage of the selection process. DTI Consumer Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, said: “We were very pleased to receive 6 responses and the quality of them has been very impressive, in particular the proposals from Scotland and the South West were very strong. All of them have made excellent progress since we sent out the Invitation to Submit Proposals in July. Most importantly in gaining wide spread support from stakeholders, which is vital to the success of Consumer Direct.” “Consumer Direct will make access to quality consumer advice easier and simpler by providing a single national phone number and web address. We are committed to its success but need strong Local Authority partners working together to deliver and support their regional or national contact centres.” Stage two of the pathfinder selection process will require each region/nation to submit more detailed proposals informed by the full Statement of Service Requirements. These will be evaluated and under current plans three will be selected to launch the service in the summer 2004. The Western Isles are representing Scotland in the bidding process through a partnership involving Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council), Western Isles Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Those not selected as pathfinders will, having completed detailed
proposals, be well placed to establish the service at the next
phase of implementation. The service is to be rolled out nationally
by 2006/07. Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
|