Consumer Scotland

Consumer Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Luchd-Cleachdaidh Alba) is a non-ministerial office of the Scottish Government.[1] It was established in 2022 following the passage of the Consumer Scotland Act 2020 to act as the statutory, independent voice for consumers in Scotland. This act defines the general functions of the organisation:[2]

• Reducing harm to consumers in Scotland
• Increasing confidence among consumers in Scotland in dealing with businesses that supply goods and services to consumers
• Increasing the extent to which consumer matters are taken into account by public authorities in Scotland
• Promoting sustainable consumption of natural resources, and other environmentally sustainable practices, in relation to the acquisition, use and disposal of goods by consumers in Scotland
• Otherwise advancing inclusion, fairness, prosperity and other aspects of wellbeing in Scotland.
  — Consumer Scotland Act 2020, Part 1, Section 2

Consumer Scotland

Scottish Gaelic: Luchd-Cleachdaidh Alba
Logo of Consumer Scotland
Agency overview
Formed	2022
Type	Non-ministerial government department
Jurisdiction	Scotland
Headquarters	Meadowbank House, 153 London Road, Edinburgh
Annual budget	£2.5 million (2022-23)[1]
Agency executives	Sam Ghibaldan, Chief Executive David Wilson, Chair
Website	consumer.scot

Consumer Scotland does not provide consumer advice direct to individuals;[3] the office's role is to gather and use data and analysis to represent consumer interests to the Scottish Parliament, business and the public sector.[2] It receives funding from two sources: the Scottish Government’s annual budget, which is approved by the Scottish Parliament; and levy-funding for specific advocacy activity in the electricity, gas, post and water industries.[4]

In July 2019, the body began to look at issues surrounding delivery charges to consumers in the Highlands and Islands, and encouraged customers to report misleading advertising and sales tactics.[5]