4. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to make online businesses aware of the alternative dispute resolution regulations which came into force this year? OAQ(5)0017(EI)

We have made business representative organisations aware of the alternative dispute resolution regulations, both during the UK Government’s consultation process and since its implementation.

I thank the Minister for his response. More and more businesses are selling online, from very small things—groceries—to cars. This is happening, obviously, in the UK and across the EU. Would the Minister agree that the new online dispute regulations are an opportunity for increased consumer and trader confidence and for Welsh businesses to show that they offer an excellent customer service? The new regulations will ensure there is an independent and fair arbitrator and will stop the very costly process of going to court.

Yes. I’d like to thank the Member for her question on a very important issue. Alternative dispute resolution can indeed speed up settlement, which means less cost, less time and less stress than would be involved in taking matters to court. It’s a useful additional avenue open to consumers when appropriate. It’s important that consumers can have confidence in their transactions. Greater consumer confidence benefits all businesses and with increasing amounts of business being done online, the online dispute resolution is particularly important for businesses trading online.

Minister, I appreciate that employment law and issues around employment are reserved matters, but the business advice that the Welsh Government supports, especially to new businesses and in particular to start-up businesses, is a vital component of being able to alert employers and employees within those businesses to what could avert some serious situations that end up costing those new businesses serious sums of money in legal advice and arbitration processes. What surety have you got that the advice that you are giving to new businesses does take into account some of the employment issues that they do need to take account of? Because that’s as important as the marketing and the strategy and anything else around the businesses setup, which is obviously ongoing and is focused in the minds of the directors of those companies.

I’d be happy to review the efficacy of the support and advice that we provide and to write to the Member with the outcome of that review.