Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch and Vice President of Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) recently (12/11/15) had the pleasure of speaking at the CTSI Scotland Conference in Paisley.

The CTSI is a professional membership association formed in 1881. It represents Trading Standards professionals working in the UK and overseas, in local authorities, the business and consumer sectors and in central government.

Mr Thompson said, “As a former Director of Trading Standards in the Highlands and Vice President of CTSI, it was great to be among delegates, friends, and colleagues at the recent CTSI Scotland Conference in Paisley and to be given the opportunity to speak.

“It is a pivotal time for Trading Standards with The Scottish Government set to make use of consumer and competition powers that are to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament under the new Scotland Bill. These powers will support economic growth and enable better regulation initiatives and, crucial to this process will be the Scottish Government response to the Working Group for Consumer and Competition Policy for Scotland which reported on the 30th of October.

Membership of the group will comprise of senior representation from the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, Which?, Citizens Advice Scotland, Trading Standards Scotland, Ombudsman Services, Federation of Small Businesses, and the Accounts Commission.

“The Working Group recommends a single consumer body to ensure provision of high quality and efficient advice and protection, taking Scottish specific issues into account in a way that the current UK arrangements have failed.

“I wish CTSI the very best going forward and I thank them again for their kind invitation to their conference in Paisley”.

Veronica McGinley, Chair of the Branch stated, “The devolution of Advocacy and Advice to the Scottish Parliament creates  an opportunity to look at the provision of consumer protection in Scotland as a whole. The Trading Standards service is recognised as a valuable asset in consumer protection, ensuring that consumers are protected and businesses supported and safe from unfair trading practices, creating a fair and equitable market place for all.

“The  Audit Scotland Report ‘Protecting Consumers ‘report highlighted resourcing of Trading Standards Services as an issue and as a Branch we support action that will improve the provision of this vital service and its role in protecting both consumers and businesses alike“.