Consumer Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Luchd-Cleachdaidh Alba) is a non-ministerial office of the Scottish Government.[1] It was established in 2022 following the passage of the Consumer Scotland Act 2020 as the statutory independent voice for Scottish consumers. This act defines the general functions of the organisation:[2][3]
- Reducing harm to consumers in Scotland
- Increasing confidence among consumers in Scotland in dealing with businesses that supply goods and services to consumers
- Increasing the extent to which consumer matters are taken into account by public authorities in Scotland
- Promoting sustainable consumption of natural resources, and other environmentally sustainable practices, in relation to the acquisition, use and disposal of goods by consumers in Scotland
- Otherwise advancing inclusion, fairness, prosperity and other aspects of wellbeing in Scotland.
Scottish Gaelic: Luchd-Cleachdaidh Alba | |
Agency overview | |
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Formed | 2022 |
Type | Non-ministerial government department |
Jurisdiction | Scotland |
Headquarters | Meadowbank House, 153 London Road, Edinburgh |
Annual budget | £2.5 million (2022-23)[1] |
Agency executives |
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Website | consumer |
Consumer Scotland does not provide direct advice to consumers;[4] the office's role is to gather and use data and analysis to represent consumer interests to the Scottish Parliament, business and the public sector.[2] It receives funding from the Scottish Government's annual budget, which is approved by the Scottish Parliament, and levy-funding for specific advocacy activity in the electricity, gas, post and water industries.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b "National public bodies directory - Non-ministerial offices". Scottish Government. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ a b "What we do". Consumer Scotland. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ^ Consumer Scotland Act 2020, Part 1, Section 2
- ^ "Consumer support". Consumer Scotland. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ^ "Interim Strategic Plan 2022-23" (PDF). Consumer Scotland. p. 13. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
External links
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