Background and Overview Consumer Direct
13.The Act provides a power to require licensees in the electricity and gas (Great Britain), postal services (United Kingdom) and water (England and Wales) sectors to contribute towards the costs of expanding Consumer Direct to enable it to operate in relation to those sectors. Consumer Direct is a telephone and on-line consumer advice service, supported by the OFT. The service will be extended to replace the existing consumer information and advice lines provided by energywatch and Postwatch. It may also be extended to replace the existing consumer information and advice lines provided by the Consumer Council in relation to the water sector.