News story

14th April 2004

MP Launches BBC TV Appeal for Information about "Dodgy Builders"

Northavon MP Steve Webb last night (13th April) appealed on BBC TV for people to come forward if they have been “ripped off” when having major works done on their home. The MP is planning to build up a dossier of cases to present to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, to support a call for the law to be changed to protect consumers.

Last night's BBC “Watchdog” programme featured the cases of two Northavon residents —one from Littleton-on-Severn and one from Wickwar– who have both had huge problems with the same building firm. One resident was left without running water in her kitchen for seven weeks. Another paid over two thousands pounds up front for a new kitchen, only to receive a letter saying that the business had folded and that he would not be getting a kitchen but could not have his money back. The builder in question (Stephen Clifford Bell) is believed to be still operating under different trading names.

In an interview with show presenter Nicky Campbell, Lib Dem MP Steve Webb pledged to take action to get a crackdown on these “rogue traders”. He invited any constituent who has had similar experiences to contact him with full details so that he can take up the issue with the Government.

Steve Webb said:

“It is a scandal that people can pay what is for most people a huge amount of money and yet get nothing back for it. Firms can cease trading and start up under a new name with great ease and even the most persistent customer can find it hard to get their money back. The law must be tightened to stop abuses of this sort.

"I want to hear from anyone in this area who has had a similar experience so that I can challenge the Government to close this loophole once and for all”.


Note to editors: Local residents are invited either to e-mail Steve Webb at stevewebb@cix.co.uk or to write with details to Poole Court, Poole Court Drive, Yate, Bristol BS37 5PP.