Consumer Scotland
| Scottish Gaelic: Luchd-Cleachdaidh Alba | |
| File:Consumer Scotland.PNG Logo of Consumer Scotland | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2022 |
| Type | Non-ministerial government department |
| Jurisdiction | Scotland |
| Headquarters | Thistle House, 91 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh[1][2] |
| Annual budget | £2.4 million (2023-24)[2] |
| Agency executives |
|
| Website | consumer |
Consumer Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Luchd-Cleachdaidh Alba) is a non-ministerial office of the Scottish Government.[2] 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:[3][4]
- 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.
Consumer Scotland does not provide direct advice to consumers;[5] 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.[3] 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.[6]
References
- ↑ "Contact us". Consumer Scotland. 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "National public bodies directory - Non-ministerial offices". Scottish Government. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "What we do". Consumer Scotland. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ↑ Scottish Parliament. Consumer Scotland Act 2020 as amended (see also enacted form), from legislation.gov.uk.
- ↑ "Consumer support". Consumer Scotland. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ↑ "Interim Strategic Plan 2022-23" (PDF). Consumer Scotland. p. 13. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
