Notes to editors

1. The Consumer Panel's full response to HM Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions' Consultation - Proposed product specifications for Sandler "stakeholder" products - and FSA Discussion Paper 19 - Options for regulating the sale of "simplified investment products" - is available from the Consumer Panel Secretariat - 020 7066 0902 - or from the Panel's website at www.fs-cp.org.uk.

2. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) established the independent Financial Services Consumer Panel in December 1998 to advise its Board on the interests and concerns of consumers and to report on the FSA's performance in meeting its objectives. The Consumer Panel has statutory status. The FSA must consider its representations and, if it disagrees with a view expressed or proposal made in the representation, it must give the Panel a statement in writing of its reasons for disagreeing.

3. The emphasis of the Panel's work is on activities that are regulated by the FSA, although it may also look at the impact on consumers of activities outside but related to the FSA's remit.

4. The Consumer Panel brings together a wide range of relevant experience. This includes financial services regulation, working with vulnerable consumers, consumer protection, consumer education, front-line money advice, legal expertise, competition policy, public policy analysis, market research and media.

5. There are currently thirteen members of the Panel as listed below (for further information on individual members, see the Panel's Web site at www.fs-cp.org.uk):-

Enquiries
Media: 020 7066 0902
Publications: 020 7066 3298

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