Postcomm, the independent regulator for postal services in the UK, has in principle given Royal Mail permission to offer a discount for distributing 'green' mail-outs.

Government may not impose strict environmental legislation on the junk mail industry if it gets behind PAS 2020, a new environmental code for junk mail.

Government has today announced it will start a public consultation on the Information Commissioner's recommendation to scrap the Edited Electoral Register.

The Information Commissioner's Office has taken enforcement action against the Liberal Democrats after the party made 250,000 automated phone calls.

Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has recommended abolishing the Edited Electoral Register. If accepted, local councils will no longer be legally obliged to sell voters' name and address to junk mailers.

The biggest overhaul of consumer protection laws in 40 years has come into force today. The Consumer Protection Regulations bans 31 types of unfair sales practices outright and close loopholes that rogue traders have so far been able to exploit.

New Government regulations could result in marketeers consistently ignoring the wishes of consumers facing a prison sentence of up to two years.

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is planning to introduce new regulations to clamp down on unfair sales and marketing practices.

Joan Ruddock, Minister for Climate Change, Biodiversity and Waste, has warned the direct marketing industry that a 'junk mail opt-in' is still on Government's agenda.

Government has announced it will invest £7.5 million in further developing the Trading Standards 'Scambusters' teams around the country. The announcement comes during the Office of Fair Trading's 'Scams Awareness Month'.