CONSUMER NETWORK FOR SCOTLAND MEETING
Thursday 19 December 2024
10:00 – 12:30
Edinburgh, CMA Offices
Present:
Consumer Scotland – David Wilson (Chair); Sam Ghibaldan; Eleanor Mullan; Tracey Reilly; Andy Murphy
Advertising Standards Authority – Matt Wilson
Advice Direct Scotland – Pam Stewart
Competition and Markets Authority – Carole-Anne Frame
Competition and Markets Authority – Brendan McGinty
CTSI Scotland Branch – Mark McGinty
Department for Business and Trade – Carol Rice
Federation of Small Businesses – Vikki Manson
Financial Conduct Authority – Euan Macfarlane
Ofgem – Kathryn Kennedy
Trust Alliance Group – Craig Wilson
Wendy McCutcheon – Scottish Government
Scottish Legal Complaints Commission – Vicky Crichton
Joseph Rowntree Foundation – Chris Birt
Communications Consumer Panel – Jenny Borritt
Trading Standards Scotland – Fiona Richardson
Apologies:
Consumer Scotland – David Wilson
Scottish Government – Wendy McCutcheon
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman – Rosemary Agnew
Scottish Legal Complaints Commission – Vicky Crichton
Ofgem – Adam Cochrane-Williams
Ofcom – Ross Hamilton
CAS – David Hilferty
WICS – Andrea Mancini
Which? – Tim Mouncer
SPSO – Rosemary Crichton
Home Energy Scotland – Harry Mayers
Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) – Alex Connell
Transport Focus – Robert Samson
FCA – Rebecca Evans
Welcome and introductions
1. The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting with a round of introductions, and thanked everyone for attending so close to Christmas. Welcomed guest speakers and gave an overview of agenda. Chair also positioned the discussion paper item, and asked those in attendance to think about any feedback for the network on work programme activities.
Minutes and matters arising
2. Members approved the minutes of the September 2024 Consumer Network meeting for publication on the Consumer Scotland website.
Issues affecting small and micro businesses as consumers: Federation of Small Businesses
3. Victoria Manson, Deputy Head of Policy for Scotland, delivered a presentation on issues affecting small and micro businesses as consumers.
4. The presentation and following discussion highlighted the below points:
- Chair raised the issues of net zero targets, and potential impact on businesses. Stressed importance of undertaking full and proper impact assessments. Discussion was then had on readiness of businesses in this regard.
- FSB are supporting businesses on the journey to net zero. Emphasised importance of relationships with policymakers and to ensure voice of business is heard.
- Early and meaningful interaction with businesses is crucial – point echoed by members round the table and online.
- Point raised around better understanding required of impact on small businesses of changes to digital infrastructure. Example of Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 cited by FSB as an example where they had sought to understand business’ impact on a detailed level. Also noted work in same area by the CMA.
- Discussion around the interconnectedness of different policy areas when it comes to fully understanding impacts on small businesses. General agreement that things could be more joined up. FSB noted that they are continually raising awareness through stakeholder engagement.
Cost of Living Series: Joseph Rowntree Report – Poverty in Scotland
5. Chris Birt, Associate Director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, delivered a presentation on poverty levels in Scotland.
6. The presentation and subsequent discussion highlighted the following points:
- Point raised around potential efficacy of better targeting of social security support, and whether better data is needed to support this.
- Understanding who and where people are is key to delivering best possible support. General acceptance that this is not happening at present.
- General discussion around accessibility of welfare programmes. Agreement that it is too easy for people to fall out of the system if it’s too difficult to access support.
- Difficulty in accessing critical services a theme that comes up regularly during discussion. Services should be easiest to access where they’re needed the most.
- Chair noted potential issue where failure to provide key services impinges on people’s human rights.
- Acknowledgement that more targeted support is going to become increasingly important if the likes of infrastructure / investment costs increase.
- Discussion around current mechanisms for targeting support, and where they are likely to fall short. Acknowledgement that some decisions in this area are political.
- Consumer Scotland agreed to return to the issue of how better data can potentially make support more targeted and help to improve outcomes.
Discussion Paper 1 – Reflections on Network Workplan 2024 / Looking ahead
7. There followed a short discussion on feedback of the Network’s workplan for the previous year, and where members think things have gone well / where additional attention should be focussed etc.
- General positive feedback about the items that the Network has focussed on over the previous 12 month – largely focussing on the right areas, and has inspired good discussion and interaction amongst members.
- Agreement that for the coming 12-18 months, the Network will need to pivot to ensure that it’s focussing on most pertinent matters as strategic issues emerge and evolve, and to best understand where we can exert influence.
- Comments made around the potential benefit of some / all Network members working together to tackle common problems / speak with one voice on certain issues.
- Working more intelligently to identify and explore gaps in current understanding.
- Consumer Scotland agreed to return at next session with an overview of potential areas for focus, with a view to working with members to refine priorities.
Flash updates and AOCB
- Action: Secretariat agreed to circulate presentation slides.
- Chair thanked everyone for attending, and in particular those who had made the journey in person. Also thanked everyone for their input into the Network over the past year, and noted that we are all looking forward to working together in 2025.
Close
The meeting closed at 12:30.