Councils are using fraud teams to crack down on rogue traders flouting regulations.
Five councils—Cheshire, Cornwall, Ealing, Hertfordshire and Manchester—have been working alongside the Police, Food Standards Agency and the Department for Communities and Local Government to target those breaking the rules.
The scheme, entitled ‘Better business compliance partnership’, was originally launched in 2014, but new research has demonstrated the joint approach has been effective.
This approach enabled the councils involved to share important data between each other and with national agencies in order to make it easier to stop rogue traders.
Cornwall, for example, cross-checked data from across partner agencies to identify businesses at risk of operating in the black economy and trained staff to encourage tip-offs from other agencies.
Communities minister Marcus Jones said: ‘Rogue businesses cut corners and provide a shoddy service to their customers and staff. What’s more they are costing councils and agencies taxpayers’ hard-earned cash through inspections and violations.
‘By sharing data, joint visits and acting as each other’s ‘eyes and ears’ – fewer rogue businesses can slip through the net.
‘I’d encourage all councils to see what more they could do to ensure their legitimate businesses can compete on a level playing field.’
