Regulators
Business Advice/Contacts
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
ACAS's staff are employment relations experts who help people work together effectively.
This ranges from setting up the right structures and systems, to finding a way of settling disputes if
things go wrong.
Website: www.acas.org.uk
Business Link Solutions
Business Link is the national business advice service, operating in 45 locations across England.
Business Link Solutions Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, exists to provide free access to help, resources
and contacts for local businesses.
Business Link Solutions
Eastern Bypass
Thame
Oxon, OX9 3FF
Tel: 0845 606 44 66
Email: info@businesslinksolutions.co.uk
Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk
Carbon Trust (The)
The Carbon Trust is an independent company funded by Government. Their role is to help the UK move to a low carbon economy by helping business and the public sector reduce carbon emissions, and capture the commercial opportunities of low carbon technologies.
Website: www.thecarbontrust.co.uk
Chamber of Commerce - Milton Keynes and North Bucks
Tempus 249 Midsummer Boulevard
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 1EU
Tel: 01908 259000
Fax: 01908 230130
Website:www.mk-chamber.co.uk
Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
General Enquiries
Tel: 020 7395 8247
Website: www.cbi.org.uk
The Federation of Small Businesses
The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK's largest organisation lobbying on behalf of, and working for,
small businesses. This is a membership based support organisation, for which there is a membership fee.
Website: www.fsb.org.uk
Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus offers free advertising of job vacancies and advice on recruitment.
Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Public Weighbridge (we recommend that you phone the weighbridge to confirm availability before making your journey)
Shanks Waste Solutions (Milton Keynes Recycling Centre)
Colts Holm Road
Old Wolverton
Milton Keynes
MK12 5QD
Tel: 01908 225000
0700 - 1900 Mon - Fri
0700 - 13.00 Sat
Thames Valley Police Business Crime Centre
Thatcham Police Station
20 Chapel Street
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 4QL
Tel: 01635 295163
Fax: 01635 295161
Website: www.thamesvalley.police.co.uk/reduction/business-crime
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Citizens Advice Bureaux
Bletchley Citizens Advice Bureau
3/5 The Concorse
Brunel Centre
Bletchley
MK2 2ES
Telephone: (0870) 1264050
Fax: (01908) 378272
Milton Keynes Citizens Advice Bureau
Acorn House
361 Midsummer Boulevard
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 3HP
Telephone: (0870) 1264050
Fax: (01908) 692686
CAB Website: www.mkweb.co.uk/citizens_advice
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Enforcement Services
Customs Hotline
Tel: 0800 595000
Calls may be taped. To report on alcohol or tobacco smuggling, illegal VAT trading, drugs, business fraud,
smuggling of endangered species, firearms or paedophile material.
Environment Agency
Bromholme Lane
Brampton
Huntingdon
PE28 4NE
Tel: 01480 483244
Fax: 01480 483823
Website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Fire Authority - Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes
Fire and Rescue Service HQ
Cambridge Street
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
Tel: 01296 424666
Food Standards Agency
Room 306C
Ergon House
PO Box 31037
London
SW1P 3WG
Email: helpline@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Fax: (020) 7238 6330
Website: www.foodstandards.gov.uk
Health and Safety Executive
14 Cardiff Road
Luton
LU1 1PP
Tel: 01582 444200
Fax: 01582 444320
Website: www.hse.gov.uk
HM Revenue & Customs
Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk
Other Milton Keynes Council Enforcement Services
Building Control. 01908 252721
Environmental Health. Tel: 01908 252398
Planning. Tel: 01908 252358
Private Sector Housing Division: Tel: 01908 253047
Regulation and Inspection Unit (Neighbourhood Services). Tel: 01908 253558 (Nursing homes, etc)
Thames Valley Police, Central Milton Keynes Station
Tel: 01908 686000
Directgov is the place to turn to for the latest and widest range of public services and government information. Book a driving test, find a job, get advice about childcare, renew your passport and lots more.
www.direct.gov.uk
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Government Departments
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (Previously the Department of Trade and Industry - DTI)
Ministerial Correspondence Unit
1 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0ET
Telephone: (020) 7215 5000
Website: www.berr.gov.uk
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Telephone: 020 7238 6000 (switchboard)
Helpline: 08459 33 55 77 (within the UK)
Web Site: www.defra.gov.uk
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Information Centres
Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre Management Co Ltd
24 Silbury Arcade
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 3ES
Telephone: (0845) 608 6688
Fax: (01908) 604306
Email: enquiry@thecentremk.com
Website: www.thecentremk.com
Milton Keynes Reference Library
Central Milton Keynes Library
555 Silbury Boulevard
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 3HL
Telephone: (01908) 254051
Fax: (01908) 254088
Website: www.miltonkeynes.gov.uk/library_services
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Milton Keynes Council - Other Departments/Services
For information on other Departments within Milton Keynes Council, please visit:-
Website: www.miltonkeynes.gov.uk
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Neighbouring Trading Standards Departments
Bedfordshire County Council Trading Standards and Registration Services
County Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford MK42 9AP
Telephone: (01234) 228280
Fax: (01234) 228255
Email: consumer@bedscc.gov.uk
Buckinghamshire County Council Trading Standards
Environmental Services Department
County Hall
Aylesbury HP20 1UP
Telephone: (01296) 383212
Fax: (01296) 382017
Email: tsd@buckscc.gov.uk
Web Site: www.buckscc.gov.uk
Luton Borough Council Trading Standards Service
Environmental Services Department
Clemitson House
44-48 Gordon Street
Luton LU1 2QP
Telephone: (01582) 547130
Fax: (01582) 547200
Email: Trading@luton.gov.uk
Northamptonshire County Council Trading Standards Service
Wootton Hall Park
Northampton NN4 0GB
Telephone: (01604) 707900
Fax: (01604) 707901
Email: TRADESTD@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Web Site: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/northants
Oxfordshire County Council
Trading Standards
County Hall
New Road
Oxford
OX1 1ND
Telephone: 0845 051 0845
Fax: (01865) 783106
Answerphone 0845 051 0845
Email: trading.standards@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Web Site: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards
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Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
The OFT
Fleetbank House
2-6 Sailsbury Square
London
EC4Y 8JX
Telephone: 020 7211 8000
Fax: 020 7211 8800
Web Site: www.oft.gov.uk
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Other Consumer Contacts
Adviceguide
The Adviceguide website is published by Citizens Advice and provides up-to-date, independent advice covering a wide
range of topics. The site offers advice relevant for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and provides
information in English, Welsh, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Urdu and Chinese.
To visit the Adviceguide website please click here.
Age Concern
Age Concern is the largest charitable movement in the UK concerned with the needs and aspirations of older people and
the leading authority on ageing related issues. In England, Age Concern is a federation of over 400 independent
charities with a shared name and a shared commitment to making later life fulfilling, enjoyable and productive.
To find out more about Age Concern, please visit their website www.ageconcern.org.uk
Community Legal Service (CLS) Direct
Need information about a legal problem? Want to know who and where your local adviser is? Does it cost anything and
can you get financial help? If so, CLS Direct can help.
Website: www.clsdirect.org.uk
Community Mediation Service
This independent service brings people together to resolve disputes, aiming to resolve any neighbour or
other community dispute amicably through mediation.
Milton Keynes Community Mediation Service
379 Acorn House
Midsummer Boulevard
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 3HP
Telephone: 01908 200828
Fax: 01908 200842
Email: mkcommediation@btopenworld.com
Companies House
Crown Way
Cardiff
CF14 3UZ
Telephone: (029) 2038 0801
Fax: (029) 2038 0517
Website: www.companies-house.gov.uk
Consumer Direct
Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, supported by the Office of Fair Trading.
It provides clear, practical, impartial advice to help you sort out problems and disagreements you may be having with
suppliers of goods or services. From overcharging to faulty goods, from dodgy workmanship to reporting dishonest
traders and scams, Consumer Direct advisers are ready to offer solutions for individual problems.
The advice and information is free. Telephone calls are charged at a local rate using an 0845 number.
Telephone: 08454 04 05 06
Website: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
Consumers Association (Which?)
Consumers' Association is Europe's largest independent consumer organisation, running campaigns on behalf of all
consumers. Under the "Which?" brand they publish a wide range of consumer information in magazines, books and
online.
2 Marylebone Road
London, NW1 4DF
Telephone: (020) 7770 7000
Fax: (020) 7770 7600
Website: www.which.net
CORGI
CORGI is the National Watchdog for Gas Safety in the United Kingdom.
Website: www.trustcorgi.com/consumers.htmx
Department for Constitutional Affairs (previously The Lord Chancellor's Department)
The Prime Minister announced on 12 June 2003 the creation of a new Department for Constitutional Affairs.
This will incorporate most of the responsibilities of the former Lord Chancellor's Department whose main
departmental role was to secure the efficient administration of justice in England and Wales. Broadly speaking, the
Lord Chancellor was responsible for:
- The effective management of the courts.
- The appointment of judges, magistrates and other judicial office holders.
- The administration of legal aid.
- The oversight of a wide programme of Government civil legislation and reform in such fields as human rights,
freedom of information, data protection, data sharing, family law, property law, electoral & referenda law, defamation
and legal aid.
Website: www.dca.gov.uk
Facsimile Preference Service (FPS)
Registering with The FPS enables businesses and individuals to register their objection to receiving direct
marketing faxes.
Facsimile Preference Service (FPS)
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8SS
Tel: 020 7291 3330
Fax: 020 7323 4226
E-mail: fps@dma.org.uk
Website: www.fpsonline.org.uk/fpsR
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) - Money Made Clear
This website helps consumers to develop their financial capability, enabling them to become questioning and informed consumers of financial services.
Website: www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk
Hearing Aid Council (The)
The Hearing Aid Council is a statutory body established under the Hearing Aid Council Act (1968). It regulates anyone
who sells hearing aids, whether in the High Street, the purchaser's home or in a hospital.
The Hearing Aid Council
Witan Court
305 Upper Fourth Street
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 1EH
Tel: 01908 235700
Fax: 01908 233770
E-mail: hac@thehearingaidcouncil.org.uk
Website: http://www.thehearingaidcouncil.org.uk
Mailing Preference Service (MPS)
Registering with MPS can stop most unsolicited consumer advertising material addressed to
individuals personally and delivered to their home address by post.
Mailing Preference Service (MPS)
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8SS
Tel: 020 7291 3310
Fax: 020 7323 4226
E-mail: mps@dma.org.uk
Website: www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr
National Lottery Commission
The National Lottery Commission is a non-departmental public body, which began on the 1 April 1999 to regulate the
National Lottery, a task formerly carried out by the Office of the National Lottery (OFLOT).
The Commission undertakes the statutory duties set down in the National Lottery Act 1993. Under the terms of this Act,
the statutory responsibilities of the Commissioners are:
- to secure that the National Lottery is run with all due propriety
- to protect the interests of participants
- to maximise, subject to the first two considerations, the amount of money available to good causes
Website: www.natlotcomm.gov.uk
OFCOM
Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio,
telecommunications and wireless communications services.
Ofcom Contact Centre
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA
Telephone: 0845 456 3000 or 020 7981 3040
Website: www.ofcom.org.uk
OFGEM Office of Gas and Electricity Regulation
9 Millbank
London
SW1P 3GE
Telephone: (020) 7901 7000
Fax: (020) 7901 7066
Website: www.ofgem.gov.uk
OFWAT Office of Water Services
City Centre Tower
7 Hill Street
Birmingham
B5 4UA
Telephone: (0121) 625 1300
Fax: (0121) 625 1400
Email: enquiries@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.ofwat.gov.uk
Rip-Off-Tip-Off
If you wish to report an unscrupulous trader, you might like to visit the Rip-off-Tip-off Website.
Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
The TPS enables Individuals to register their objection to receiving direct telephone marketing calls.
Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London
W1W 8SS
Tel: 020 7291 3320
Fax: 020 7323 4226
Email: tps@dma.org.uk
Website: www.tpsonline.org.uk
Trustmark
TrustMark is a scheme supported by Government, the building industry and consumer groups, to help you find reliable and trustworthy
tradespeople to make improvements and repairs to your home.
Use their site to search a list of trade associations and other organisations who can supply you with reputable builders, electricians, roofers,
heating engineers and other tradespeople that meet certain standards the Government has set.
Website: www.trustmark.org.uk
Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA)
The VBRA is a leading organisation for the vehicle body building, commercial vehicle repair, tail lift repair and
car body repair industry. It is a member driven organisation, with no external or conflicting commercial interests.
Their website includes a member search service. The VBRA has secured approval for its Consumer Code of Practice under
the Office of Fair Trading's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS).
website: www.vbra.co.uk
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Other Organisations
Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS)
10 Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7SP
Telephone: (020) 7840 7200
Web Site: www.lacors.gov.uk
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Regulators
National Lottery Commission
The National Lottery Commission is a non-departmental public body, which began on the 1 April 1999 to regulate the
National Lottery, a task formerly carried out by the Office of the National Lottery (OFLOT).
The Commission undertakes the statutory duties set down in the National Lottery Act 1993. Under the terms of this Act,
the statutory responsibilities of the Commissioners are:
- to secure that the National Lottery is run with all due propriety
- to protect the interests of participants
- to maximise, subject to the first two considerations, the amount of money available to good causes
Website: www.natlotcomm.gov.uk
OFCOM
Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio,
telecommunications and wireless communications services.
Ofcom Contact Centre
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA
Telephone: 0845 456 3000 or 020 7981 3040
Website: www.ofcom.org.uk
OFGEM Office of Gas and Electricity Regulation
9 Millbank
London
SW1P 3GE
Telephone: (020) 7901 7000
Fax: (020) 7901 7066
Website: www.ofgem.gov.uk
OFWAT Office of Water Services
City Centre Tower
7 Hill Street
Birmingham
B5 4UA
Telephone: (0121) 625 1300
Fax: (0121) 625 1400
Email: enquiries@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.ofwat.gov.uk
Milton Keynes Council,
Trading Standards,
PO Box 105, Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East,
Central Milton Keynes MK9 3HH
Telephone: Shopping Advice (08454) 04 05 06 Enforcement Matters (01908) 252504
Internet World Wide Web www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/milton-keynes/
E-Mail: tsd@milton-keynes.gov.uk or for consumer advice:
E-Mail: consumeradvice@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Copyright © Milton Keynes Trading Standards 1999
