SHARPER TEETH: THE CONSUMER NEED FOR OMBUDSMAN REFORM. An Analysis By The Ombudsmans61percent Campaign (4) Page 6.

SHARPER TEETH: THE CONSUMER NEED FOR OMBUDSMAN REFORM. An Analysis By The Ombudsmans61percent campaign (4) Page 6. The Ombudsmans61percent Campaign believes that whoever operates the new scheme(s) needs to be: * A fit and very proper person. * Have statutory powers. * Be transparent and accountable in all they do. * Ensure Whistleblowing Policies are effective. * Publish all decisions online. Aspiration: Comprehensive ombudsman membership in consumer sectors In an ideal world, all companies in consumer sectors would be members of an ombudsman. This could be delivered through a single ombudsman for all consumer complaints, with every business serving consumers being a member; or having one ombudsman per sector, combined with a single body acting as a portal for all ombudsmen, and filtering complaints to the appropriate ombudsman behind the scenes. NO behind the scenes - consumers need full transparency/ accountability. However, this aspiration is far from being implemented; it would require radical, wholesale change. Until that happens, ombudsmen should be reformed to operate at a gold standard, truly distinct from other ADR providers. Your recommendations for monitoring this would be a ongoing disaster for consumers. But it does raise the crucially important issues of: * Unimpeachable integrity in those operating the scheme(s) * Competency. * Trust. * Transparency and accountability. in what is fast becoming a twilight democracy.