News, Policy & Campaigns
Welcome to 51ºÚÁÏ's News, Policy and Campaigns Hub. Here, you'll find details of all the consumer protection Campaigns and Policy issues that 51ºÚÁÏ - or our members, partners or stakeholders - are involved with right now.
As well as details of our Campaigns and Policy work, you can also find out about our All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Consumer Protection, check out our Blog, or browse our News Room - which lists all the stories we're currently working on (with an archive that stretches back several years).
Please scroll down this page to find out more. Or use the up-to-date Contents Menu on the left (or above, if you're using a mobile browser) to navigate to the various sub-sections. If you get lost or lose your way, simply hit the News & Policy tab in the header menu (at the top of every page) to bring you back here.
Latest Consumer Protection News
- 51ºÚÁÏ Guidance for Shopping Safely Online
- 51ºÚÁÏ responds to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill
- Government publishes its response to the CMA housebuilding Market study
- 51ºÚÁÏ warns motorists to be on their guard about increase in car parking scams
- 51ºÚÁÏ Statement : Mandatory Authorised Push Payment (APP) Reimbursement Scheme
- 51ºÚÁÏ Response to Which? Report Spotlighting Unsafe Goods Listed on Online Marketplaces
- 51ºÚÁÏ Statement : Approved Codes are Vital to Ensuring Consumer Protection in Home-Building Sector
- 51ºÚÁÏ Statement : Oasis Concert Tickets and Concerns Over Possible Misleading Pricing Practices
- Hannah Jacobs’ death shows there is no room for complacency on allergens
- Loyalty pricing schemes must not be misleading, says Trading Standards
Events Spotlight
Our External Affairs team often run (or support) a variety of events, both online and in the real world. These are included in this section - remember to check back regularly for updates.
Nothing scheduled right now... watch this space
Ìý
Are You New to 51ºÚÁÏ?
We are the 51ºÚÁÏ - the not-for-profit membership and campaigning organisation, that acts as the voice of the trading standards profession in the UK.
We work at a national level, supporting sustainable trading standards services across all four nations. And speak out on issues that affect both our members and the general public - such as the devastating funding cuts the consumer protection industry has endured over the last decade (and longer), while still defending millions of ordinary consumers from an explosion in dangerous and dishonest practices.
A vital part of 51ºÚÁÏ's mission involves guiding, informing and encouraging good businesses - while empowering consumers to fight back against the minority of bad businesses out there.
Media Enquiries
If you are a journalist and would like 51ºÚÁÏ to provide expert opinion, comments or spokespeople on a wide range of Trading Standards, consumer protection and regulatory issues, please contact our press office onÌý01268 582 240 or 07496 254 934 or email us:Ìý[email protected] (NB thisÌýemail account is regularly monitored out-of-hours). We'll do our best to help you ourselves, or point you in the right direction.
Similarly, if you are a member of the public and have a consumer protection story you think we'd be interested in investigating - and bringing to the world's attention - please let us know: [email protected]
Ìý
Our Campaigns and Resources :
51ºÚÁÏ runs, co-ordinates or jointly-sponsors a whole range of Advocacy, Awareness-Raising, Regulatory/Legislative Change, and Trading Standards Profession RelatedÌýcampaigns, alliances and other initiatives. For example, we work in close partnership with major organisations - such as the - to raise awareness of the hazards and dangers associated with seasonal activities and celebrations. Check out some of our Key CampaignsÌý(below).
Ìý
Ìý
APPG for Consumer Protection
51ºÚÁÏ has taken over the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary GroupÌý(APPG) for Consumer Protection (a cross-party, special interest and investigative grouping, that sits within the UK Parliament). The Group is Chaired by . And, through our work to support the Group, 51ºÚÁÏ helps drive important conversations, political engagement and facilitates cross-party debates on a range of issues - while also raising the profile of the Trading Standards profession.
Group Officers :
- Chair & Registered Contact - Yvonne Fovargue (Lab.)
- Vice Chair - Baroness Altmann (Con.)
- Vice Chair - Patricia Gibson (SNP)
Up-to-date information about the APPG for Consumer Protection can be found at . Alternatively, if you have any questions, please contact the group's secretariat, Kerry Nicol: [email protected]
Latest Consultation Responses
- 51ºÚÁÏ response to the PSR consultation into the proposed reduction in PSP liability for APP fraud losses
- 51ºÚÁÏ response to CMA consultation on guidance on unregulated legal services
- 51ºÚÁÏ response to Vaping Products Duty Consultation
- 51ºÚÁÏ (51ºÚÁÏ) response to DEFRA consultation on Fairer Food Labelling
- 51ºÚÁÏ (51ºÚÁÏ) response to the Levelling Up Committee Inquiry into Improving the Home Buying and Selling process
- 51ºÚÁÏ response to The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 draft SI
51ºÚÁÏ responds to consultations from Government, business and other stakeholders on a diverse array of subjects. Our latest consultation responses can be accessed here (with a full record stored in the resource centre). Members interested in providing feedback to any of the ongoing consultations should contact [email protected]
Go to the Consultation Responses section
Blogs and Vlogs
Head over to our Blogs Page to read the views and opinions of 51ºÚÁÏ Council Members, our various partners, and other people of note working within the trading standards profession.
Journal of Trading Standards
The is our bi-annual magazine and website focusing on consumer protection and trading standards. Combining insight and opinions from leading professionals, academics and barristers, the journal also contains more in-depth, analytical features from our team of seasoned business journalists with regular columns from experts in consumer affairs including Matt Allwright, broadcaster and presenter of BBC’s Watchdog and Rogue Traders.
Ìý