PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Trading Standards: Staff (21 June 2022)

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions officials in his Department (a) have had and (b) plan to hold with relevant stakeholders on increasing the number of trading standards officers to meet potential increase in demand arising from the (a) UK's departure from the EU, (b) recovery from the covid-19 outbreak and (c) changes in the environmental standards for goods and services.

Asked by:
Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party)

The role and number of trading standards officers is a matter for local authorities who fund and appoint them to consider.

BEIS officials regularly meet with stakeholders such as Chartered Trading Standards Institute, National Trading Standards Board and Trading Standards Scotland, as well as others, in relation to consumer policy enforcement. However, staffing levels are a matter for local authorities to decide.

Answered by:
Paul Scully (Conservative)
29 June 2022