Local authority trading standards services should be abolished and replaced with larger, strategic authorities, according to a professional institute.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has called on the Government to urgently reform the structure of trading standards services, warning the system is ‘heading for a crisis’.
It argues that budget cuts have made the system unsustainable, creating a postcode lottery for services.
‘Evidence is pointing to a trading standards system that has been heading for a crisis for many years now,’ said Leon Livermore, CTSI’s chief executive.
‘We are putting forward a vision of strategic trading standards authorities larger than the current units which recognise the contribution trading standards services can make in supporting economic growth, preventing crime and improving health.
‘These larger services will ensure that the best use is made of available resources by pooling staff and creating economies of scale to ensure all consumers in the UK are adequately protected and businesses receive the support they need.’
