Dave Thompson MSP

SKYE, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Dave Thompson is to host a seminar for fellow MSPs and Trading Standards professionals to discuss changes to the service following the abolition of the Office of Fair Trading in Westminster cuts.

Cost–cutting measures announced by Westminster mean that in addition to the abolition of the Office of Fair Trading, Consumer Focus Scotland and the Consumer Direct helpline run by the department will also transfer to the Citizens Advice Bureaux. The seminar “Empowering and Protecting Scotland’s Consumers” on Tuesday September 27th (5.45 – 8pm) will look at measures to take over the work of these organisations. Proposals for the devolution of the work of these units to Holyrood will be discussed by Neil Coltart of Glasgow City Council’s Trading Standards department, who is chairman of the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS).

Some resources formerly allocated to the OFT and Consumer Focus Scotland by Westminster have been reallocated to the Citizens Advice Service, while local authority Trading Standards departments have been consulted about taking on more of the work formerly carried out by the OFT.

The seminar will be attended by MSPs, the heads of Trading Standards from several local authorities and others in the profession.

Mr Thompson, a Vice-president of the Trading Standards Institute and a former director of Protective Services at The Highland Council, decided to sponsor the event at Holyrood because of concern over the effect on Consumer Protection in Scotland, which is already overstretched.

“It is important that we have a strong Trading Standards and Consumer Protection Service in Scotland and this conference will allow us to debate the way forward,” he said.

“I very much look forward to hearing the views of those at the sharp end on how we need to respond to ensure the best protection for Scottish consumers and legitimate businesses.”