Trading standards budget cuts of 40% have been damned as a ‘false economy’ by trade union Unison.
As a result of these cuts, more than 70% of trading standards services will restrict or stop some services, a workforce survey found.
Helga Pile, national officer for Unison, which represents more than 1,600 members working in trading standards services, said: ‘These dramatic cuts to trading standards are leaving consumers at risk of being ripped off or buying unsafe goods.
‘Trading standards officers no longer have the resources to carry out regular or routine spot inspections, and cuts to the budgets of partner organisations such as the police and HMRC mean cost-effective joint operations are now harder to mount.
‘Cuts to trading standards are a false economy because it provides a significant return on investment.
‘It protects legitimate businesses from being undercut by rogues, provides advice and support for small businesses, and boosts consumer confidence.’
