Call for consumer voice to have equal status with business and unions
Government at all levels must take ownership of the consumer agenda and put it at the heart of economic recovery, Douglas Sinclair, Chair of Scotland’s consumer champion, will tell today’s (29th October) Fairness and the Consumer conference in Edinburgh.
Speaking at the conference, which Consumer Focus Scotland has organised to explore how the economic crisis has affected vulnerable consumers, he will argue that consumers should now have an equal say in Scotland’s economic and social future to promote a fairer deal for all to help Scotland to emerge from recession.
Mr Sinclair, Chair of Consumer Focus Scotland, said: “The consumer voice needs to be heard and addressed not simply on an individual basis, but on a collective one. The consumer interest is currently too often just an afterthought. As the full impact of the recession unfolds, the unfairness that many consumers are suffering is increasingly apparent. However, the institutional arrangements for discussing the economy in Scotland continue to be structured along the traditional lines of partnership between government, trade unions and business.
“We need to establish a more inclusive approach and ensure recognition of the consumer voice as an equal social partner from the national level down. Moving the protection and promotion of consumer interests up the political agenda will help to ensure that markets and public services become fairer and more responsive. If we can get this right now then all Scottish consumers can look forward to a fairer deal in the future.”
The three key changes that Consumer Focus Scotland wants to see to give consumers a greater say in Scotland’s economic future are:
· The consumer interest to be afforded equal status with other social partners, such as the CBI and STUC, by government.
· The extension of the duty of user focus set out in the Public Services Reform Bill to all public bodies in Scotland.
· Consumers and service users to be placed at the heart of service design and delivery across all sectors of the economy.
Ends
Notes to Editors
Douglas Sinclair has been Chair of Consumer Focus Scotland since January 2008. He has held posts as Chief Executive at Ross & Cromarty District Council, Central Region Council, COSLA and Fife Council. He was appointed as the Chair of the Scottish Consumer Council in May 2006 before becoming Chair of Consumer Focus Scotland. He is also Deputy Chair of the Accounts Commission of Scotland.
Fairness and the Consumer, which is taking place at the Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh, will provide a unique opportunity for key individuals and organisations working across the private, public and voluntary sectors in the consumer interest to come together and discuss the plight of consumers in the midst of recession. It also includes keynote contributions from Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, John Fingleton, Chief Executive of the Office of Fair Trading and Lorna Jack, Chief Executive of the Law Society of Scotland. Professor Alan Alexander, former Chair of Postwatch Scotland, will chair the event.
Media are welcome to attend the event. Further details are available here.
Consumer Focus Scotland is rooted in over 30 years of work promoting the interests of consumers, particularly those who experience disadvantage in society. We work for consumers in aspects of their lives: as council tenants, householders, patients, parents, solicitors’ clients, public transport users, bank depositors and borrowers, postal service users and as shoppers.
Media contact
For further information about the conference or to arrange an interview, please contact Ryan Norton, Communications Manager on 0141 227 1852