Dave Thompson MSP

Hosted by their Highlands & Islands MSP Dave Thompson, Dingwall Academy last night  represented the North of Scotland in the Scotland Final of the Young Consumers Challenge.

For a second year in a row Mr Thompson played quiz master to four Scottish teams competing to go onto the UK Final, which will be held in Edinburgh this summer as part of the Trading Standards Institute's annual conference.

Sponsored by Consumer Focus Scotland, the competition tested the pupils' knowledge on a range of consumer-related topics such as the environment and social responsibility, money and credit, legal and consumer matters and keeping safe.

Dingwall Academy beat off stiff competition to take their place as the north of Scotland team, made up by Hannah Forbes, Abigail Skinner, Ruth MacLeod and Rebecca Skinner.

Speaking after the event, Dave Thompson said: "I was delighted to host the Young Consumers Scotland final in Parliament again.  I am always impressed with the dedication and knowledge of the teams and as their MSP it was fantastic to watch Dingwall Academy's great performance.

"As a former Director of Trading Standards and now a Vice President of the Trading Standards Institute it is refreshing to see this subject gaining ground in schools.  Not only is it an exciting event to host and watch, but the benefits to the pupils in understanding modern consumer issues is invaluable.

"Congratulations go out to the winning team, Boroughmuir High, as well as Linlithgow Academy & Ayr Academy in making their schools proud.

Mr Thompson today lodged a motion in Parliament congratulating all the teams in making it to the Scottish final, and wishing Boroughmuir High, last night's winners, every success in representing Scotland in the UK Final later this year.

Notes:

Dave Thompson's motion -

Young Consumers of the Year Scotland Final 2010: 
That this Parliament congratulates Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh on its victory in the Young Consumers of the Year Scotland Final 2010; notes that the school’s team of Douglas Boubert, Imogen Ross, Elspie Horne and Alice MacKenzie beat three other finalists to win the prestigious competition for the third consecutive year; congratulates the other three teams from Dingwall Academy, Ayr Academy and Linlithgow Academy beating off tough competition to reach the Scottish final; further notes that the competition, which is run by the Trading Standards Institute and Scottish local authorities and sponsored by Consumer Focus Scotland, is a great opportunity for young people to learn more about their consumer rights and responsibilities and wishes the Boroughmuir High team every success when they go on to represent Scotland at the UK final at the Trading Standards Institute annual conference in Edinburgh in June.