Minister for Public Finance
Ivan McKee MSP
Sam Ghibaldan
Chief Executive
Consumer Scotland
Thistle House
91 Haymarket Terrace
Edinburgh
EH12 5HD
04 March 2026
Dear Sam Ghibaldan,
As you know, Trading Standards services in Scotland are facing significant challenges that threaten their long-term viability. In recent months, the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS), Which?, and The Federation of Independent Retailers (The Fed) have proactively sought discussions with the Scottish Government on this issue.
With my responsibilities for public finance and public service reform (PSR) I am keen to see progress as soon possible. Scotland benefits from having an independent body in Consumer Scotland, with the skills, knowledge and expertise to drive meaningful change for consumers. I am therefore formally requesting proposals from Consumer Scotland, under section 3 of the Consumer Scotland Act 2020, on the future viability of trading standards and
consumer enforcement in Scotland.
It is important that your proposals set out how we can most effectively safeguard Trading Standards services in line with PSR ambitions – focusing on prevention, improved collaboration and efficiency in order to better deliver for Scotland’s communities.
I am pleased to attach a Terms of Reference document which should guide Consumer Scotland’s work and support you in scoping the issues involved, with the objective of providing meaningful recommendations which will make tangible progress. I would ask that Consumer Scotland provide a report to Scottish Ministers by no later than June 2026.
Thank you for taking this work forward and I look forward to receiving the report.
Yours sincerely,
IVAN MCKEE
Minister for Public Finance