The promise came during a meeting between ministers and consumer groups designed to ensure consumer rights and protections are maintained once Britain leaves the EU.

Although some aspects of consumer protection – such as the right to independent redress – are established in UK law, there were concerns on how cross-border disputes involving UK citizens buying goods and services online from other European countries might be resolved after Brexit.

The meeting comprised representatives from consumer groups including Which?, MoneySavingExpert, Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Scotland, the Consumer Council Northern Ireland and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), alongside consumer minister, Margot James, and department for exiting the European Union minister, Robin Walker.

James said: “The UK’s consumer protection regime is among the most robust in the world and the government is committed to ensuring consumers continue to benefit from robust consumer protections after we leave the EU.”