Consumer protection threatened says report
In the last decade, Trading Standards departments have lost a higher proportion of jobs than other council departments, with almost half of Scotland's local authorities left with possibly too few staff to provide an acceptable service, according to ‘Protecting Consumers', a report published today by the Accounts Commission.
The report suggests that as a result, consumers could be put at risk of scams and rogue traders, in a period when they are more dependent on the service because of the tough economic climate.
The Accounts Commission examined trading standards, which educates and inspect businesses, helps consumers with problems and enforces consumer law, as well as food safety services provided by Scotland's 32 councils and said this has led to concerns in both bodies about a loss of expertise and a lack of trainee posts.
Legislation on trading standards is reserved to Westminster and, unlike food safety; there are no national priorities and standards. However, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) is leading on these issues, and the report makes a series of recommendations to councils and CoSLA on staffing, national co-ordination, and advice and support for the public.
Chairman of the Accounts Commission, John Baillie, said: "We're currently living in a period of economic hardship - the very time consumers most need protection and help. The longer term threat to these vital services is worrying. The public are entitled to expect a consistent standard of advice and protection across the country. We last reported on these issues a decade ago and things now appear worse than they were then."
Councillor Stephen Hagan, chairman of CoSLA's consumer protection task group, said: "While a core of dedicated trading standards staff punch well above their weight, consumer protection should not be, and is not, purely viewed as their responsibility by Scotland's councils. All council departments have a role to play in ensuring that consumers are adequately protected, working with other key agencies, such as the police."
