Should Scotland have its own consumer investigations body, ministers ask?

Proposals for a new consumer body, called Consumer Scotland, to identify areas of harm to consumers and recommend solutions, have been put out to consultation by the Scottish Government.

The idea, a manifesto pledge of the Government, arises because of evidence that, in specific markets, Scottish consumers behave differently and have different needs from consumers in the rest of the UK. "The reasons for this have not yet been fully analysed or understood as there is not, currently, a rigorous on-going assessment of Scottish consumer harm", the summary states. "There is no dedicated mechanism delivering improved, targeted outcomes for Scottish consumers."

Ministers are now seeking views on the proposed powers and functions of Consumer Scotland, which will be "an investigatory body, tasked with carrying out a strategic review of consumer welfare to identify areas of harm that require in-depth inquiry to identify causes and recommend solutions".

However the paper also invites views on general Scottish Government policy for consumers, including providing more holistic advice services, improving the impact of consumer advocacy, and increasing the consideration of consumer interests in public policy-making, potentially through development of a statutory duty for public authorities in Scotland.

Click here to access the consultation. Responses are due by 28 September 2018.