Committee for Consumers in Vulnerable Circumstances
Minutes of meeting, Meeting 6, 4 December 2024, 10.00am – St Vincent Plaza, Glasgow
Attendees:
Angela Morgan, Chair (Board, Consumer Scotland) joined remotely
Aaliya Seyal (Chief Executive Officer, Legal Services Agency)
John McKendrick (Glasgow Caledonian University) joined remotely
Tracey Reilly (Head of Consumer Markets, Consumer Scotland)
Chris Birt (Joseph Rowntree Foundation) joined remotely
Douglas White (Director of Policy and Advocacy, Consumer Scotland)
Jane Williams (Head of Research, Consumer Scotland)
Andy Murphy (Strategic Partnerships Manager, Consumer Scotland)
David Jackson (Policy and Advocacy Officer, Consumer Scotland)
Shona Hamilton (Water Policy Officer, Consumer Scotland)
Catriona Kirk (Consumer Scotland – Minutes)
Apologies:
Twimukye Macline Mushaka (Representing herself)
Artemis Pana (Scottish Rural Action)
Kendal Morris (SP Energy Networks)
Kirsten Urquhart (Young Scot)
Karen Nailen (West Lothian Citizens Advice Bureau)
Agenda Item 1: Arrival
Agenda Item 2: Welcome and Introductions
1. Douglas White welcomed members to the sixth meeting of the Advisory Committee on Consumers in Vulnerable Circumstances and noted apologies received. As the Chair had joined remotely, Douglas White led the meeting.
2. The minutes of the previous Committee meeting held on 18th September 2024 were approved.
Agenda Item 3: Updates Log
3. David Jackson provided an overview of updates relevant to previous Committee discussions since the last meeting held on the 18th September 2024.
4. A brief overview of the paper was provided. Key points from the summary were as below:
- Work Programme 2025-2026 – scoping is continuing for workstreams and drafting of the Work Programme is underway. The Draft is due to be published in January and it will be circulated to Committee members.
- Research on disabled consumers in rural areas – Engagement with relevant groups is underway, with a key focus on services such as transport, health and social care and leisure facilities. Once the report has been published, this will also be circulated to Committee members.
Agenda Item 4: Update and Discussion on ad hoc Meeting with Ofgem
5. Douglas White provided a summary of the meeting with Ofgem held on 5th November 2024.
6. The Committee noted that they find these types of session helpful, specifically in terms of broadening networks and knowledge in key areas of consumer detriment. The only area of improvement suggested was trying to provide more advance notice where possible, as it is important to ensure there is sufficient time for Committee members to respond.
Agenda Item 5: Implementation of the Consumer Duty
7. Douglas White welcomed Andy Murphy (Consumer Scotland), who was invited to the meeting to discuss the implementation of the Consumer Duty.
8. The aim of the session was to discuss the Consumer Duty (“the duty”) and consider how consumers’ views and best interests can be embedded into strategic decision-making processes across the public sector. Discussion points are summarised below:
- The Consumer Duty is a statutory duty introduced by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020 that places a duty on relevant public authorities in Scotland to consider consumers when making strategic decisions. The duty looks to challenge relevant public bodies to be more robust in considering, and prioritising the needs of, consumers in their decision-making
- Around 160 bodies are required to apply the duty (e.g., Scottish Ministers, Executive Agencies, NDPBs, Local Authorities and Health Boards, Non-ministerial Offices)
- Final guidance is scheduled to be issued in the new year, with any changes being implemented in the final version in April 2025
- More information on the duty can be found on the Consumer Scotland website
9. Committee views or questions were invited. An overview of the discussion can be found below:
- A need to develop understanding on how the impact of the duty links in with other statutory rights/duties. An integrated approach for assessments is currently being considered.
- Examples of good practice are beneficial, and further examples should be provided to enhance understanding of compliance with the duty
- Discussions with other groups regarding overlap of rights in specific areas (e.g., human and consumer rights) are ongoing
- The importance of avoiding the duty becoming an administrative burden on organisations with pre-existing capacity constraints
10. The Chair noted that the discussion with the Committee had been incredibly valuable and thanked them for their input
Agenda Item 6: Consumers and Choices in the Future of Transport
11. David Jackson presented Consumer Scotland’s work so far on consumers and choices in the future of transport:
- This is Consumer Scotland’s first year working on public transport services and consumer experiences. Primary interest is around bus and rail travel, although other transport services are being considered on an ongoing basis
- Findings so far suggest that consumers are not being consistently offered a service that meets their needs and there are limited options available to them
12. The key points from the discussion included:
- The necessity of reliable public transport in both rural and urban Scotland
- Understanding the purpose of consumers’ use of public transport will be a key consideration
- There are a number of key stakeholders involved in transport policy and this requires the need to be clear and focussed. There is also a need to look across more modes more routinely to act on behalf of all national consumers of public transport.
- Overlooked public transport user groups - how do we ensure we hear the voices that are not often involved in these discussions
13. The discussion was closed and the Committee were encouraged to get in touch if they had any further views to share following the meeting.
Agenda Item 7: Consumer Scotland Roundup
14. Tracey Reilly summarised the Update Paper for the Committee on aspects of Consumer Scotland’s recent work which focuses on vulnerability issues across multiple workstreams.
Agenda Item 8: Flash Updates
15. The Flash Updates agenda item is time protected in the agenda to allow Committee members to share any areas of work they are aware of, or involved in, that would be of interest to the group
16. Committee members noted this was useful to have on the agenda.
Agenda Item 9: AOB/Next Steps
17. Membership Revisions - The Chair updated the Committee on revisions made to the chairing of the group. It was noted that Nick Martin (Consumer Scotland) had stepped back from the Committee and Consumer Scotland Board have agreed that Douglas White will lead meetings in the Chair’s absence. An action was taken for the published Terms of Reference to be amended to reflect this.
18. Appointment Terms for Members – the Terms of Reference currently state that members’ initial appointment would be up until March 2025. Following considerations of the group’s progress, the Chair noted that members would receive an extension offer up until September 2026. An action was taken for David Jackson to contact Committee members for further discussions.
19. In-person Meetings – Committee members agreed via email that Glasgow would be the base for in-person meetings going forward.
20. Jane Williams formally thanked Committee members Aaliya Seyal, Twimukye Macline Mushaka and Artemis Pana for their help with recent research work.
21. Douglas White thanked everyone for attending and engaging.
22. The next meeting is set for the 12th March 2025.
23. With no other business, the meeting was closed
Confirmed Dates for Upcoming Meetings
12th March 2025
12th June 2025
11th September 2025