Prisk takes government to task over enforcing rogue agents laws

Published Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 16:55 by Matthew Hemley

Conservative shadow minister for business Mark Prisk has criticised the government for failing to enforce new laws intended to prevent rogue agents charging upfront fees.

The laws, established in April, are designed to stop casting companies who charge a fee for including performers’ details in a publication or website from taking any money upfront and instead allow performers a seven-day cooling off period, during which they have the right to change their minds.

But Prisk has complained that since the legislation has come into force, the government has not been monitoring companies to check it is being adhered to.

In a letter to business minister Pat McFadden - deputy to newly-appointed Secretary of State for Business Peter Mandelson - Prisk has demanded to know how successful the new laws have been so far, including how many complaints have been upheld and how many have resulted in prosecutions.

Prisk has also asked how many inspectors from Employment Agency Standards, the department which carries out routine inspections of agencies and investigates complaints about agency conduct, are assigned to deal with issues relating to upfront fees.

In his correspondence, the shadow minister has outlined a case which he believes highlights the fact the law is still being broken.

Responding to the letter, a department for business spokeswoman said the government hoped to release a statement on how effective the new laws have been by the end of the year.

She added: “We welcome any evidence of agencies not complying with the cooling off period and we are grateful to Mr Prisk for his efforts in raising awareness of the issue.”