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Ofcom has joined together with the UK's other economic regulators to form the UK Regulators Network (UKRN).

The aim of the UKRN is to improve collaboration across regulated sectors, allowing members to work closer together on issues of cross-sectoral significance, while maintaining their independent status.

The UKRN provides the structure for regulators to deliver unique policy projects, which combine their strengths and assist them in providing benefit to stakeholders, including consumers and investors.

The varied nature of the sectors that the member organisations regulate is recognised and the work the UKRN has done to date has identified specific areas where all the regulators can deliver better outcomes together.

Its work programme for 2016/17 consists of three workstreams:

• Engagement, which is aimed to enhance how the network engages with stakeholders;
• People and Resources , looking how the member organisations can utilise joint resources more efficiently;
• Policy, to share expertise and strengthen the quality of the policy work that is delivered.

The UKRN comprises the following organisations:

• The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
• The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR)
• The Office of Communications (Ofcom)
• The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem)
• The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat)
• The Office of Rail and Road  (ORR)
• The Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (UR)
• The Financial Reporting Council (FRC)
• The Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO)

NHS Improvement, the sector regulator for health, participates in the network and its projects as appropriate. The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) and the The Legal Services Board (LSB) are contributing members which generally participate as observers.

Publication - UKRN advice for vulnerable consumers seeking support services

The UK Regulators Network has published new advice on the extra help available to older, ill, or disabled people when using services such as gas, electricity, water, phones and public transport.

Publication - UKRN report on Price Comparison Websites

This report covers the role of PCWs, understanding consumer expectations and how PCWs are regulated.

Publication - UKRN launches cross sector investor guide

A new guide launched today by the UKRN will support current and future investment in the UK’s regulated infrastructure sectors.

Publication - UKRN Statement on consumer engagement and switching

The UK Regulators Network (UKRN) has published a report setting out its findings on the key barriers that make it difficult for consumers to engage, assess and/or act in regulated markets.

Publication - Cross sector infrastructure interactions: next steps

The UK Regulators Network has published a document reviewing evidence and outlining next steps on infrastructure interactions.

Publication - UKRN Report on Regulating for Quality of Service

The UK Regulators Network (UKRN) has published a report which sets out current practices for regulating for quality in telecommunications, rail, energy and water.

Consumer Working Group

Three discussion papers produced by contributors of the Consumer Working Group.

The Consumer Forum for Communications (CFC) is an informal forum hosted by Ofcom, for consumer representatives to share information and views with each other, and with people who formulate and implement communications policies that affect consumers. The goal is to help decision-makers to be as well-informed as possible about consumers' preferences and priorities.

Function and Role

The Consumer Forum for Communications (CFC) is an informal forum hosted by Ofcom, for consumer representatives to share information and views with each other, and with people who formulate and implement communications policies that affect consumers. The goal is to help decision-makers to be as well-informed as possible about consumers preferences and priorities.

During its 10-year life, CFC has had various changes in management and focus. Since 2008, Ofcom's Consumer Affairs team has taken over primary responsibility for the Forum from the Communications Consumer Panel, and appointed an independent Chair, while itself providing the secretariat and other necessary support.

The Forum holds quarterly meetings at Ofcom, which are open to all members and also attended by representatives of the Communications Consumer Panel. Discussions can also continue between meetings. New members are welcome as are suggestions for new ways of working and new topics to explore.

Meetings in 2017

• 15 March
• 13 June
• 14 September
• 7 December

Participants

Which?

Contact Details

Chair of the Consumer Forum: Roger Darlington: rogerdarlington@dsl.pipex.com

Consumer Forum secretariat: cfc.secretariat@ofcom.org.uk

Members of the Consumer Forum can access our discussion site http://ofcomconsumerforum.groupsite.com

EPRA was set up in 1995 in response to the need for increased co-operation between European regulatory authorities. With its 20 years of experience and a robust network of working-level contacts, EPRA is the oldest and largest network of broadcasting regulators and is an ideal setting for the exchange of information, cases and best practices between broadcasting regulators in Europe.

The Information Commissioner and Ofcom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which establishes a framework for cooperation and information sharing between the two organisations.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Information Commissioner and Ofcom (PDF, 249.3 KB)

Following publication of the Postal Services Bill by the Government, this statement sets out how both Postcomm and Ofcom will carry out their respective roles before and after regulatory responsibility for the postal sector transfers to Ofcom. Postcomm and Ofcom will work together both to secure a smooth transition with minimal disruption for industry, users and staff and also to progress ongoing work to change the current regulatory framework prior to and following Royal Assent of the new Bill.

Roles of Postcomm and Ofcom

The Postal Services Commission (Postcomm) is the regulator for the postal market established under the Postal Services Act 2000. It exercises its functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to ensure the provision of a universal postal service and, subject to this and among other duties, to further the interests of users of postal services, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition between postal operators.

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, established under the Office of Communications Act 2002, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services. Ofcom has a duty to further the interests of citizens and consumers in relation to communications matters and to further the interests of consumers in relevant markets, where appropriate by promoting competition.

Postal Services Bill

The Postal Services Bill (published today by the Government and available at Postal service reform) provides for the transfer of Postcomm's regulatory responsibility for the postal sector and its staff to Ofcom. The Bill will require Ofcom to carry out its postal services functions in a way that it considers will secure the provision of a universal postal service. In doing so, Ofcom will be required to have regard to the need for the universal postal service to be financially sustainable and efficient. In addition the Bill will replace the existing licensing regime for providers of postal services with a general authorisation system, subject to regulatory conditions imposed by Ofcom, as already applies to communications providers.

Regulatory process

In the period leading up to the transfer of regulatory responsibility for postal services, Postcomm and Ofcom have agreed to work together as far as practicable to maintain regulatory stability for both postal users and operators, with a view to providing as much confidence and certainty as possible for the future direction of regulation and to ensure a smooth transition. Ofcom will have responsibility for implementing a new regulatory framework when the Bill comes into effect. In the meantime, Postcomm remains the regulator for the postal sector and continues to be the contact for postal industry stakeholders.

Amending the price control framework for Royal Mail

Postcomm is currently undertaking a programme of work to revise the existing regulatory framework for post. Postcomm aims to conclude an interim price control for 2011/12 and has consulted on a range of proposals including measures to improve cost transparency and provide for accounting separation. Postcomm also intends to progress further work covering aspects of wholesale and retail price regulation, the access regime more generally, financial accounting of Royal Mail and the scope of the universal service. Ofcom will ensure a smooth transition of this work to deliver a new price control to take effect from spring 2012 with Ofcom taking over the process when the new Act enters into effect.

Postcomm, Ofcom and Government are confident that Postcomm's work in this area can be progressed in a way that maintains the momentum for much needed change to the regulatory framework prior to and following Royal Assent.

Governance

Nigel Stapleton, Postcomm's Chairman, will be standing down as Chairman as planned when his appointment ends in January 2011. An Interim Chair appointment will be made from within the current Postal Services Commissioners and Ofcom Board with the aim of ensuring a seamless transition between the two regulators and the two regimes.

Timetable

The Bill is subject to Parliamentary approval. Following Royal Assent the date for the transfer of regulatory responsibility for the postal sector from Postcomm to Ofcom will be set by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Postcomm and Ofcom look forward to working together to ensure a smooth transfer of regulatory responsibility and both are confident this will result in the delivery of an effective price control which will offer regulatory certainty to all stakeholders.

Ofcom will fulfil its new regulatory responsibilities for mail when they are agreed by Parliament. Ofcom expects its work to focus initially on completing the 2012 price control and access regime for mail, and determining the scope of the regulatory conditions that will apply to Royal Mail and to other postal operators under the new general authorisation regime.

EDWARD DAVEY 
Minister for Postal Affairs

TIM BROWN 
CEO Postcomm

ED RICHARDS 
CEO Ofcom

13 October 2010

Joint statement from BIS, Postcomm and Ofcom - Postal Services Bill (PDF, 72.3 KB)