Consumer Focus Scotland is the statutory organisation campaigning for a fair deal for consumers in Scotland. We are part of Consumer Focus which has a remit across Great Britain and work closely with our Consumer Focus Wales and Consumer Focus Post (Northern Ireland) colleagues.

We are the voice of the consumer, and work to secure a fair deal on their behalf. We were created through the merger of three consumer organisations – energywatch, Postwatch and the Scottish Consumer Council. The new approach allows for more joined-up consumer advocacy, with a single organisation speaking with a powerful voice and able to more readily bring cross-sector expertise to issues of concern.

We have had a busy and successful first year, producing several influential research and policy reports, hosting a major conference on fairness and consumers during the recession and advocating for consumers with policy-makers and in the media.

Our powers

Consumer Focus has strong legislative powers. These include the right to investigate any consumer complaint if they are of wider interest, the right to open up information from providers, the power to conduct research and the ability to make an official super-complaint about failing services.

We are not an advice agency nor are we a statutory regulator. Other bodies such as Consumer Direct, Citizens Advice, local authority trading standards and the Office of Fair Trading play these roles. Advice for individuals on energy and post is given by Consumer Direct (08454 04 05 06).