Dr Ashok Kumar

Labour Party | Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland

ASHOK KUMAR CALLS ON BRITISH RETAIL CONSORTIUM TO ‘THINK AGAIN’ ABOUT REFUSAL TO HELP FAREPAK VICTIMS

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour M.P., Ashok Kumar, today called on the British Retail Consortium – the trade body representing the British Retail Industry – to ‘think again’ over their refusal announced today not to try and mount a rescue package for families hit by the collapse of Farepak Hampers.

The British Retail Consortium in a statement said the reason for their decision was that the situation surrounding Farepak was ‘too complicated’ and that Farepak customer records were hard to locate.

Ashok, who has represented a number of local families hit by the Farepak collapse, has now written to the Director General of the BRC, Kevin Hawkins, asking him to ‘think again’ about his organisation’s decision.

In his letter, Ashok said “Whilst I am aware that the member of the BRC have no legal obligation to these families, your membership does include some of the UK’s most famous High Street names, and many nationally and internationally successful and highly responsible companies”

I would ask you to think again about your decision, as I do feel a positive move to help those who have been affected would do much to boost the good name of British retailing.”

Ashok said “I cannot believe that it is impossible to help the Farepak victims.  The company records are still in existence and I would have thought that with good will and partnership between the government, the Farepak administrators and the BRC, such a package could be assembled in time for Christmas.  Many lower income families across the country had been looking forward to their Christmas parcels and I don’t feel they should be let down.”