GIFT CARDS

Early day motion 744, tabled 8 January 2018 by Patricia Gibson (Scottish National Party). Signed by 29 members.

That this House notes the unfair practice and lack of transparency around expiry dates on gift cards from retailers; urges the Government to take action to introduce greater protections for consumers purchasing and using gift cards, such as banning use-by-dates altogether, or at the very least introducing a minimum five-year expiry period; understands that there is an often a lack of transparency around expiry dates which leaves the consumer at a great disadvantage; considers that funds not used by the expiry date should more properly be donated to charitable causes rather than used as profit for the companies involved; acknowledges that the gift card industry in the UK is significant, being worth around £6 billion per year, but that around £300 million goes unspent in gift cards every year; recognises that unsuspecting consumers are losing out when gift cards pass their often wholly arbitrary expiry dates; notes that this practice means that shops are profiting without providing consumers with a product or service; and further understands, that with families experiencing rising prices, stagnant wages and squeezed living standards, it is important that the Government steps in to ensure consumers are properly protected.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 17, Labour 6, DUP 2, Conservative 1, Independent 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.