Friday, 29 July 2011
Red Tape Challenge - Again
If you are in trading standards or another of the 'regulatory' (not a descriptor I am at all fond of but central and local government seem to insist?!) or public protection professions you get used to but no less weary of being described by politicians and similarly slavishly by their officials as a 'burden' on business. There is always the occasional and convenient anecdote available to illustrate this of course which feeds the policy by anecdote appetite but does little to paint the real picture. Trading standards has been a 'better regulation' profession long before it became a soundbite for politicians many of whom had been party to the imposition of red tape burdens in the first place as making new legislation too often has been the response to any new malpractice etc. We invented the 'home authority' principle which businesses of all sizes have found so supportive for 40 years and which Government and Parliament have since extended to the 'primary authority' principle in tandem. Good. Some rules can be daft and no longer fit with our modern needs. Why would you want to impose controls on the sale of chocolate liqueurs or Christmas crackers? So when Vince Cable made his announcement yesterday that the Red Tape Challenge is to see 160 regulations scrapped in the retail sector I raised another weary and muted cheer but with a resigned eye to looking for his applause of the burdens that my trading standards peers lift from small, medium and big business rather than impose. One day perhaps......although to be fair he has said that we are the most important front line service together with CAB in the entire consumer landscape so that gives us hope!
Monday, 28 February 2011
Olympics need trading standards
The 2012 Olympics. A big thing for trading standards. Today I chaired a meeting of trading standards colleagues from the London councils and from local authorities outside of London who are hosting events.
Big concerns about the lack of resources to tackle the counterfeiters, ticket touts and other rogues who will look to hijack the Olympic Games opportunity to rip off consumers, UK and overseas visitors, and leave a bad taste in the mouths of those who will be here to enjoy the spectacle and the experience.
The good thing is that I can see the professionalism and resolve of trading standards practitioners kicking in. The bad thing is that they need much more real help from central and local government and from the Olympic authorities and business to be able to keep the Olympic parks and the hinterland fair and clean of consumer crime. I shall be writing to Ministers and others to press the case even at this late hour.
Big concerns about the lack of resources to tackle the counterfeiters, ticket touts and other rogues who will look to hijack the Olympic Games opportunity to rip off consumers, UK and overseas visitors, and leave a bad taste in the mouths of those who will be here to enjoy the spectacle and the experience.
The good thing is that I can see the professionalism and resolve of trading standards practitioners kicking in. The bad thing is that they need much more real help from central and local government and from the Olympic authorities and business to be able to keep the Olympic parks and the hinterland fair and clean of consumer crime. I shall be writing to Ministers and others to press the case even at this late hour.
Change Happens
So much happening in the trading standards arena that I can hardly draw breath.
The BIS consumer landscape review, the planned abolition of the OFT, Consumer Focus and more, the suggested centralising of enforcement by the Food Standards Agency, the creation of the new Financial Conduct Authority and the possible transfer of consumer credit regulation to Canary Wharf from the OFT.....are all but part of the turbulence we currently are navigating.
I was on Radio 4 You and Yours today. I was asked about the changes I had seen in my 40 plus years in trading standards and consumer affairs. There were many of course and setting up the OFT in 1973 was a big one. Now that is to go and I made the point that the changes being condensed into these past months and the next two years will more than outpace those of the previous 40.
At the same time my trading standards colleagues across the country are having to cope with increasing demand alongside decreasing capacity as funding cuts of 40% start to bite. Their will to win however remains undaunted and they will look to new ways to support the consumers and businesses that need them.
By the way - the Financial Conduct Authority was to be the Consumer Protection and Markets Authority. A pity somebody changed their mind because the 'consumer' word should be there!
The BIS consumer landscape review, the planned abolition of the OFT, Consumer Focus and more, the suggested centralising of enforcement by the Food Standards Agency, the creation of the new Financial Conduct Authority and the possible transfer of consumer credit regulation to Canary Wharf from the OFT.....are all but part of the turbulence we currently are navigating.
I was on Radio 4 You and Yours today. I was asked about the changes I had seen in my 40 plus years in trading standards and consumer affairs. There were many of course and setting up the OFT in 1973 was a big one. Now that is to go and I made the point that the changes being condensed into these past months and the next two years will more than outpace those of the previous 40.
At the same time my trading standards colleagues across the country are having to cope with increasing demand alongside decreasing capacity as funding cuts of 40% start to bite. Their will to win however remains undaunted and they will look to new ways to support the consumers and businesses that need them.
By the way - the Financial Conduct Authority was to be the Consumer Protection and Markets Authority. A pity somebody changed their mind because the 'consumer' word should be there!
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Trading standards and wealth creation
Today's last quarter report on the state of the UK economy has obviously raised eyebrows here and overseas at our disappointing performance. The Chancellor apparently blamed the bad weather 17 times in a lunchtime interview. The same snow and ice doesn't seem to have hurt the German economy though? We should all be worried at this lack of growth because it hurts us all.
I've always said that trading standards is part of wealth creation in its support for business, consumers and therefore the economy. News stories like today's throw up all sorts of mind blowing statistics. For example UK manufacturing grew in the last quarter by 3.3%. I thought 'great' until the commentators deflated that little bit of good news by telling us that manufacturing only accounts for 12% of GDP. Only 12% which means 88% is made up of non manufacturing service industries etc.
I knew the industrial revolution was long behind us but that 12% still surprised me. I wonder what the German or French figures are? Must find out.
I've always said that trading standards is part of wealth creation in its support for business, consumers and therefore the economy. News stories like today's throw up all sorts of mind blowing statistics. For example UK manufacturing grew in the last quarter by 3.3%. I thought 'great' until the commentators deflated that little bit of good news by telling us that manufacturing only accounts for 12% of GDP. Only 12% which means 88% is made up of non manufacturing service industries etc.
I knew the industrial revolution was long behind us but that 12% still surprised me. I wonder what the German or French figures are? Must find out.
FSA Chief seeks new consumer safeguards
Today's FT carried the heading 'FSA chief seeks new consumer safeguards'. The pink newspaper is always worth a look but never more so than when it talks 'consumer protection' and I was certainly drawn to its headline this morning. I'm sure Lord Turner's remarks and timely interest in consumer protection is not unconnected with the anticipated relocation of consumer credit regulation from the OFT to the new FSA, Financial Services Authority, successor body (or one of them) the Consumer Protection and Markets Authority, CPMA.
The tried and trusted Consumer Credit Act looks likely to give way to a new Financial Services Act. Canary Wharf has never been what I would call close to front line consumers and nor to front line trading standards. In the new world of the CPMA and the already up and running Consumer Financial Education Board I very much hope that those bodies and people can relate to ordinary consumers and even trading standards officers. The lifts in Canary Wharf can quickly get you down from a great height to ground level. That is where consumer credit controls and enforcement against the terror of loan sharks have to be real.
The tried and trusted Consumer Credit Act looks likely to give way to a new Financial Services Act. Canary Wharf has never been what I would call close to front line consumers and nor to front line trading standards. In the new world of the CPMA and the already up and running Consumer Financial Education Board I very much hope that those bodies and people can relate to ordinary consumers and even trading standards officers. The lifts in Canary Wharf can quickly get you down from a great height to ground level. That is where consumer credit controls and enforcement against the terror of loan sharks have to be real.
Friday, 21 January 2011
Consumer Direct onwards
I've been looking at 'The Citizen' news journal published by Citizen's Advice. Glad to see it led by a foreword they kindly asked me to write. Its inclusion helps to symbolise the emerging importance of the new and ever stronger relationship that will exist between trading standards and Trading Standards Institute with Citizen's Advice and CABx together with Citizen's Advice Scotland.
This is the new world being prompted by the 'consumer landscape' proposals of Vince Cable and his BIS team. First we need to secure the future of the successor service that CAB will have to construct from Consumer Direct. This has become part of the backbone of trading standards and cannot be lost.
It is clear to me though that from the top down Citizen's Advice and CAS are as determined as we are to see an even better successor in place by April 2012 latest. The new chief executives of both organisations and their teams continue to impress and that was reinforced when I met again with Gillian Guy at Citizen's Advice yesterday. She clearly has all the right qualities to lead her organisation into its extended future and also to help lead their new partnership with trading standards.
This is the new world being prompted by the 'consumer landscape' proposals of Vince Cable and his BIS team. First we need to secure the future of the successor service that CAB will have to construct from Consumer Direct. This has become part of the backbone of trading standards and cannot be lost.
It is clear to me though that from the top down Citizen's Advice and CAS are as determined as we are to see an even better successor in place by April 2012 latest. The new chief executives of both organisations and their teams continue to impress and that was reinforced when I met again with Gillian Guy at Citizen's Advice yesterday. She clearly has all the right qualities to lead her organisation into its extended future and also to help lead their new partnership with trading standards.
Monday, 17 January 2011
More speed less haste
Interesting to hear the Prime Minister being interviewed/interrogated by John Humphrys this morning. The PM in effect saying that 'all change' was the order of the day and there is no time to waste. Humphrys was saying that it is all too quick, mistakes will be made etc. They focused on the NHS and Andrew Lansley's mission to rid us of PCTs and localise decision making to GPs (whether they are ready or not?).
Has the PM really put Oliver Letwin and Danny Alexander on his shoulder just in case he is running too enthusiastically?
I can't help but relate these conversations to the trading standards world I am closest to. I accept that any Government will look to get the bad news out of the way in the first half of it's reign so the preoccupation with speed rather than distance is to be expected. But we only need to look at the Parliamentary debates around the Public Bodies Bill which seeks to abolish consumer relevant organisations like Consumer Focus and the Office of Fair Trading to know that there are real concerns around 'more haste less speed'.
It feels like we are all caught in extra turbulent waters. The key is to know how to swim and not sink.
Has the PM really put Oliver Letwin and Danny Alexander on his shoulder just in case he is running too enthusiastically?
I can't help but relate these conversations to the trading standards world I am closest to. I accept that any Government will look to get the bad news out of the way in the first half of it's reign so the preoccupation with speed rather than distance is to be expected. But we only need to look at the Parliamentary debates around the Public Bodies Bill which seeks to abolish consumer relevant organisations like Consumer Focus and the Office of Fair Trading to know that there are real concerns around 'more haste less speed'.
It feels like we are all caught in extra turbulent waters. The key is to know how to swim and not sink.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
We are all in this together?
Not one of the better days in my trading standards life (40 years of it now!). These are very difficult times for so many of my professional friends and colleagues. Some of the pillars that have become such a familiar part of the trading standards world are crumbling before our eyes.
LACOTS was set up as the trading standards coordinating body in 1978. I worked for it for 13 years from 1989. It has done a fantastic job and is a real success story. Genuine value for money.
It became LACORS and then the Local Government Regulation, LGR, and I always feared for its future when it moved under the same roof as its parent the Local Government Association -feared for its independence and its top slice funding both of which were its core strengths.
Now it is to go and quickly, a victim of the Local Government Association, LGA, losing subscribers and money and a 38% cut over 4 years in top slice funds to the central bodies like the LGR.
Trading standards needs the LGR and never more so than now, but that won't persuade the LGA. Now therefore is the time to stay together, to keep close, to take strength from being a team working to fill the huge void left by LGR. But others see it differently and see opportunity. I try to understand them. I'm glad I'm not easily depressed.
LACOTS was set up as the trading standards coordinating body in 1978. I worked for it for 13 years from 1989. It has done a fantastic job and is a real success story. Genuine value for money.
It became LACORS and then the Local Government Regulation, LGR, and I always feared for its future when it moved under the same roof as its parent the Local Government Association -feared for its independence and its top slice funding both of which were its core strengths.
Now it is to go and quickly, a victim of the Local Government Association, LGA, losing subscribers and money and a 38% cut over 4 years in top slice funds to the central bodies like the LGR.
Trading standards needs the LGR and never more so than now, but that won't persuade the LGA. Now therefore is the time to stay together, to keep close, to take strength from being a team working to fill the huge void left by LGR. But others see it differently and see opportunity. I try to understand them. I'm glad I'm not easily depressed.
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Three Lions show us the way
Wasn't it great to see an England cricket team wear the three lions with such pride and purpose?
Their resounding Ashes victory down under has given so many of us, whether cricket fans or not, a wonderful boost at the start of this new year. They have illustrated what teamwork, preparation, courage and determination can achieve. All those qualities are required for trading standards and for TSI in this extraordinary year of change and transformation ahead.
The three lions boys have shown that belief and a positive attitude can turn the odds in your favour and ultimately secure success. An inspiration and very timely too.
Talking of lions I hope that another pride of Lions will be similarly inspired to turn the odds in their favour too when they entertain Birmingham City in the FA Cup third round at The Den today. I'll be there to cheer them onto victory.
Another boost when we all need it most. Taking part is fine but playing well and winning...there is no better feeling whether in work or recreation. Welcome again 2011. We are ready for you!
Their resounding Ashes victory down under has given so many of us, whether cricket fans or not, a wonderful boost at the start of this new year. They have illustrated what teamwork, preparation, courage and determination can achieve. All those qualities are required for trading standards and for TSI in this extraordinary year of change and transformation ahead.
The three lions boys have shown that belief and a positive attitude can turn the odds in your favour and ultimately secure success. An inspiration and very timely too.
Talking of lions I hope that another pride of Lions will be similarly inspired to turn the odds in their favour too when they entertain Birmingham City in the FA Cup third round at The Den today. I'll be there to cheer them onto victory.
Another boost when we all need it most. Taking part is fine but playing well and winning...there is no better feeling whether in work or recreation. Welcome again 2011. We are ready for you!
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Loan Sharks and Scams
Not everyone knows what an incredible and courageous job many of my trading standards friends do in tackling the menace of illegal money lending. The Government via BIS has funded a handful of teams to bring loan sharks to task and they have been spectacularly successful.
More than 500 loan sharks have been arrested, £37million of illegal debts have been written off, over £1.3million cash has been seized from the sharks, 16,000 victims have been helped, and £20million of assets are being investigated with a view to removing these from illegal money lenders.
The return on the funds provided has been immense and we have all been working hard to ensure that the funds did not fall foul of the Government's cuts to public spending. Imagine our delight when we saw the Consumer Minister Ed Davey MP announce on 28 December that funding would continue for this work and for our scambuster teams for the next year and probably to 2013.
In these cash strapped times for ordinary people the loan sharks are only too eager to sink their teeth into those desperate for money. That's is when the cycle of ever growing repayments and potential threats begins. Loan sharks beware.
More than 500 loan sharks have been arrested, £37million of illegal debts have been written off, over £1.3million cash has been seized from the sharks, 16,000 victims have been helped, and £20million of assets are being investigated with a view to removing these from illegal money lenders.
The return on the funds provided has been immense and we have all been working hard to ensure that the funds did not fall foul of the Government's cuts to public spending. Imagine our delight when we saw the Consumer Minister Ed Davey MP announce on 28 December that funding would continue for this work and for our scambuster teams for the next year and probably to 2013.
In these cash strapped times for ordinary people the loan sharks are only too eager to sink their teeth into those desperate for money. That's is when the cycle of ever growing repayments and potential threats begins. Loan sharks beware.
Hooray for Trading standard officers and MBEs
It was brilliant to see two of my trading standards colleagues awarded MBEs in the New Years Honours list. Fantastic.
Martin Woodley does a great job in Oxfordshire in leading the fight against doorstep crime. Too many hard-pressed people are taken to the cleaners by rogues and criminals that see them as fleecing targets. They have no hearts or conscience and think nothing of robbing the elderly and others of their life savings. Martin and his team work closely with the police and other agencies to track them down and his MBE award is richly deserved.
Similarly Peter Aston has done an exceptional job in supporting consumers across the north west of England. He runs Warrington and Halton trading standards services and is one of those guys who leaves no stone unturned in his determination to help those who need help. If there isn't a solution on the shelf he'll look to invent one and he has been an inspiration to many trading standards professionals who work their socks off in support of honest people and businesses. Both suffer at the hands of the cowboys if they are allowed to run unchecked. Martin and Peter are two examples of trading standards professionals who live to stop that happening.
Martin Woodley does a great job in Oxfordshire in leading the fight against doorstep crime. Too many hard-pressed people are taken to the cleaners by rogues and criminals that see them as fleecing targets. They have no hearts or conscience and think nothing of robbing the elderly and others of their life savings. Martin and his team work closely with the police and other agencies to track them down and his MBE award is richly deserved.
Similarly Peter Aston has done an exceptional job in supporting consumers across the north west of England. He runs Warrington and Halton trading standards services and is one of those guys who leaves no stone unturned in his determination to help those who need help. If there isn't a solution on the shelf he'll look to invent one and he has been an inspiration to many trading standards professionals who work their socks off in support of honest people and businesses. Both suffer at the hands of the cowboys if they are allowed to run unchecked. Martin and Peter are two examples of trading standards professionals who live to stop that happening.
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