Non-ministerial office of the Scottish Government
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]
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