Consumer group highlights lack of trading standards staff

An investigation by a consumer watchdog has revealed inadequate staffing levels for trading standards in many areas of the United Kingdom.

As part of a Freedom of Information request into capacity and performance, consumer group Which? contacted 187 trading standards services in England, Wales, and Scotland. Reponses were received by November 2024.

Which? said some areas have fewer than one trading standards officer per 100,000 people and there are situations where small teams of staff are responsible for enforcing certain areas of compliance by some of the world’s biggest businesses.

Trading standards officers have a range of responsibilities including the safety of consumer goods, food labeling and allergen requirements, and animal health and welfare.

About two thirds of trading standards services that answered Which?’s question about allocating resources said that low staffing levels meant they could not investigate tip-offs at least some of the time.

Which? said funding was a big factor but also called on the government to review and reform trading standards by looking at prioritizing resources more effectively and the sharing of services, better use of intelligence, and a greater role for national regulators. 

Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: “Our research shows that trading standards is no longer fit for purpose. Millions of people face a postcode lottery, which dictates whether they get adequate protection from crime, dangerous products and blatant rip-offs.”

Lack of financial and staff resources
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) welcomed the research and said findings reflect many previously highlighted challenges.

John Herriman, chief executive at CTSI, said: “While these findings from Which? help us to make the case for further investment in the service it is important to acknowledge that there has been a great deal of innovation across local authority trading standards in response to funding constraints.

“Recent initiatives to future proof the profession includes investing in new apprenticeships, adopting an intelligence-led model to help prioritize work, and building effective partnerships both locally and nationally, and these have yielded some impressive results. However, there is no escaping the fact that our trading standards service is severely under-resourced and that this research from Which? points to the stark fact that unless our service is properly resourced consumers continue to be at risk from unscrupulous businesses.”

Valerie Simpson, chair of the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers (ACTSO), said reductions in staffing levels since 2011 have been well documented.

“Trading standards services nationally have moved away from routine inspections, as part of the Regulators Code, to reduce the burden on businesses and to have a targeted focus on those issues that pose the highest risk to consumers.”

Fiona Richardson, chief officer for Trading Standards Scotland, said: “The declining workforce coupled with an increasing range of legislation to enforce is creating serious issues for the service. Prioritization and effective use of intelligence is required to ensure trading standards can continue to prevent and tackle consumer detriment.”

Heather Kidd, from the Local Government Association, said: “Council’s trading standards teams work hard to provide effective inspections and ensure that products on sale to the public are safe for consumption. However, ongoing budget constraints have had an impact on council’s enforcement abilities. This is compounded by regulatory services’ aging workforce and a lack of new entrants.”

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/02/consumer-group-highlights-lack-of-trading-standards-staff/