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Written question asked by Andrew Snowden (Conservative) on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 September 2026 (named day). It was answered by Kate Dearden (Labour) on Monday, 14 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

Housing Improvement

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will outline the process for selecting the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman and Trusted Payments as delivery partners for the Approved Code and Trusted Payments schemes announced on 28 August 2026.

Answer

The Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO) will deliver an Approved Code that traders can sign up to. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) will provide oversight of the Approved Code. The Approved Code will have built-in Alternative Dispute Resolution for consumer redress.

Trusted Payments was developed in collaboration with the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman (DRO), who have business links to FHIO, to provide a service that traders and consumers can use to ensure money is held safely in escrow while work is completed.

Government supported the launch as it improves consumer choice and protection in a key sector where detriment levels are consistently high. The Government will monitor the success of the scheme, including take-up and the number of disputes resolved.

The FHIO worked with industry during development, and the announcement was welcomed by a range of bodies, including the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Citizens Advice and Which?.

Trader recommendation platforms are not directly affected, but the Government expects them to play their part in keeping rogue builders out of the market.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
28085
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Codes of practice Consumers Housing improvement Protection Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman Trusted Payments
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk