Consumers will be given greater protection and clearer legal rights to refunds under a new Consumer Bill of Rights, announced by the Queen in Parliament today.

The new law will simplify eight pieces of consumer law, which often overlap, into a single framework.

It is believed that the Bill, the detail of which is yet to be revealed, will clarify the rights regime regarding when customers can return goods and how many times they should be expected to be offered a repair or replacement before receiving a refund.

In addition, the law will be updated to include returns issues regarding digital content such as downloading music and apps.

A British Retail Consortium spokesman said: “If the law is clearer around consumer rights there will be less disputes and so it will be less draining for retailers.”