The Government’s failure to set a firm date for digital radio switchover is dangerous, warned electrical retailers’ association Retra.

Comparing digital radio switchover with that for TV, Retra chief executive Bryan Lovewell (pictured) said: “Once the dates for digital TV switchover were set, it galvanised manufacturers to get kit out there – specifying a time frame for switchover was key then and it is now.”

He was responding to comments made last week by Culture Minister Ed Vaizey who told the Intellect consumer electronics conference that a lot more work needed to be done before the Government could make a cast-iron commitment to 2015 as the switchover date for radio.

Said Mr Lovewell: “From Retra’s point of view, postponing the 2015 date is dangerous, as members could end up selling products to customers that could soon become obsolete.

“We have known that the 2015 date was a moveable feast, but this date should be adhered to,” he said.