CTSI calls for rescue plan for local councils

Posted 26/06/20

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) asks the Government to support councils struggling to pay the bills in the wake of the COVID-19 coronavirus lockdown. 

Yesterday it was reported that five councils declared that they might need to issue emergency spending controls, known as section 114 notices, due to the impact of lockdown on local government income. The notices are effectively a form of bankruptcy declaration. 

Leon Livermore, Chief Executive of CTSI, said: "The coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for individuals, businesses, and local government services. Local government officers and trading standards professionals are key workers due to their involvement in the contact made to over 100,000 UK businesses and advising over 50,000 on the Government's business closure rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trading Standards has proved to be an essential service during the crisis and will be vital for the UK's economic recovery as we leave lockdown. 

"Due to the austerity measures of the last decade, leading to ongoing cuts, trading standards services are stretched. 

"The Government has said that it has a comprehensive plan in the works and we look forward to reading it as soon as it is launched."

ENDS

 

Notes for Editors:

CTSI Press Office: [email protected], 01268 582240

Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)

CTSI is a training and membership organisation that has represented the interests of the Trading Standards profession since 1881 nationally and internationally. We aim to raise the profile of the profession while working towards fairer, better informed and safer consumer and business communities. CTSI's members are engaged in delivering frontline trading standards services in local authorities and in businesses. www.tradingstandards.uk

---