A consultation on a consumer body for Scotland

Closed 28 Sep 2018

Opened 4 Jul 2018

Contact

0141 242 0432

consumerandcompetition@gov.scot

Feedback updated 27 Jan 2023

We asked

We asked for views on a new body called Consumer Scotland, and whether the Scottish Government should develop a statutory duty on Scottish public authorities to improve how consumers are considered during policy and decision-making. We held a public consultation, which was open for 12 weeks from 4 July 2018. During this period we also held a series of events so that regulators, consumer groups and enforcement agencies could share their thoughts.

You said

We received a total of 58 responses to the consultation from consumer groups, regulators, businesses and individuals. Most responses were supportive of our plans to create a new consumer body that would carry out in-depth investigations into the areas of most serious harm to consumers in Scotland. A majority were also supportive of the idea of a consumer duty.

 

We also received feedback on the action needed for a consumer body to succeed, including ensuring that there is clarity around its role in the landscape and that it has the right powers and functions to make a real difference for consumers.

We did

We commissioned an independent analysis of the consultation responses.  

The Scottish Government will be introducing a Bill to establish the new consumer body and the consumer duty in the coming months. The responses have helped develop the legislation and will continue to guide our thinking as the practical arrangements for the new body and duty are considered.

Results updated 27 Jan 2023

The analysis report for this consultation can be found below. 

Files:

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

The purpose of this consultation is to gather views from stakeholders on the proposed powers and functions of a new consumer body, called Consumer Scotland.

Why your views matter

Evidence has shown 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. There is no dedicated mechanism delivering improved, targeted outcomes for Scottish consumers.

This consultation is seeking to gather views on the proposals for a new consumer body, called Consumer Scotland. This 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.

Download the consultation paper.

What happens next

Where respondents have given permission for their response to be made public, and after we have checked that they contain no potentially defamatory material, responses will be made available to the public at http://consult.gov.scot. If you use Citizen Space to respond, you will receive a copy of your response via email.

Following the closing date, all responses will be analysed and consider along with any other available evidence to help us develop the legislation needed to create a new public body. Responses will be published where we have been given permission to do so.

Interests

  • Economy
  • Equality, Welfare and Rights