A message from TSI

A message from TSI

Scotland and Wales and nationally in Northern Ireland. Without them on guard to protect the consumer, the level of detriment would run into millions, the distress to consumers would grow and illegal and shameful trading practices would run unchallenged, impacting on the social fabric and the economic wellbeing of the UK. Society is changing fast, and the UK needs a team of highly trained and adequately funded practitioners who can provide protection from unsafe, unfair and illegal practices carried out locally and nationally, in the retail environment, via electronic means and in consumers’ homes. Without the dedication of trading standards, the prosperity

T

rading standards services are delivered by local authorities in England,

of the UK would suffer, and consumers and reputable traders would be harmed. It is essential that government recognises this fact, and provides the service with substantial fi nancial, political and policy support. Trading standards is a unique

group of more than 3,000 practitioners with a value to UK society and enterprise that is disproportionate to its scale, delivering savings to the consumer of at least £6 for every £1 that is spent on trading standards services¹. It warrants bespoke and resolute political and policy attention and promotion. The prosperity and protection of the citizens of the UK demands it. The modern profession extends across the public and private sector and I am grateful for the support in producing this

manifesto given by my colleagues and branches across the UK and our affi liated chief offi cer, non- local government and consumer education sections We call upon the new

Government to act to support and reinforce the trading standards profession. We want to see a sustainable service funded by local authorities and part of a central infrastructure that maximises impact, effect and benefi t to communities and to the UK.

Ron Gainsford

Chief Executive,

Trading Standards Institute

¹ Offi ce of Fair Trading, Trading Standards Impact Evaluation Report 2009.

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