Nineteen local authorities failed to carry out standard inspections of businesses last year due to a lack of funding and resources, according to recent trading standards research.
Following the Freedom of Information (FOI) requests sent to UK trading standards teams, Which? researchers found that 45 councils had deprioritized vital enforcement measures that exist to protect both consumers and businesses.
The FOI responses revealed that in the financial year 2023-2024, 45 councils lacked proactive surveillance measures, 25 completed fewer investigations into intellectual property theft and counterfeit goods claims, 24 deprioritized assessments of the weights and measures of goods, whilst a further 8 councils sidelined scam-related enquiries.
Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said the decline in enforcement action ‘means that serious consumer crimes, such as scams, are going uninvestigated in many parts of the country, leaving consumers to pay the price’.
‘Urgent reform is needed. The Government must restructure the consumer enforcement system, with more focus on its effectiveness, how well it uses intelligence and shares services, and ultimately greater oversight and accountability’, she added.
Although the report did not demonstrate any regional trends in the efficiency of councils’ consumer enforcement services, Which? researchers deduced that trading standards teams are overburdened and struggling to perform amidst an uneven distribution of resources.
Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, Cllr Heather Kidd explained how ‘ongoing budget constraints have had an impact on council’s enforcement abilities. This is compounded by regulatory services’ ageing workforce and a lack of new entrants.’
‘We urge the Government to use the upcoming Spending Review to ensure that local government is given the funding it needs to provide effective trading standards services, recruit new entrants and protect communities.’
