Trading standards
Watchdog warning over food standards resourcing
A watchdog has warned of ‘inadequate resourcing’ of environmental health and trading standards services by councils.
Trading standards - market regulator and champion of fairness
Now more than ever, councils’ trading standards service is essential to our economy and the environment, says Cllr Jenny Hannaby.
Guidance to 'reduce burdens' in pandemic issued
Councils will be allowed to deprioritise some trading standards and health and safety work to focus on tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit disruption.
It’s time to see trading standards as a value creator
Trish Caldwell says that a new report really demonstrates the case for local trading standards services being a priority – and one that will add value to their communities.
EXCLUSIVE: Trading standards Brexit cash plea
Councils have pleaded for extra Government cash amid fears Brexit will heap additional demands on trading standards officers.
Care services face five-day delays for medicines under no-deal Brexit
The Government’s report on readiness for a no-deal Brexit has warned adult care services to prepare for delays in receiving medical products.
Funeral review could lead to new burdens
A review of funeral services could lead to a ratings system for the industry and hand responsibility for poor practice to local government.
EXCLUSIVE: Sector fumes over lack of pre-Brexit briefing
Councils have threatened to walk away from Government attempts to engage with them on Brexit amid growing frustrations about the response to their concerns.
The final countdown
Dan Peters reports on how local authorities are making contingency plans for Brexit while also endeavouring to maintain an open dialogue with the relevant UK agencies.
EXCLUSIVE: Chiefs' no-deal Brexit capacity warning
Council capacity will be stretched under a no-deal Brexit scenario, local authority chief executives have warned the Government.
Caught bag to rights
In Diary’s opinion, trading standards are the unsung heroes on an unsung sector.
‘Robust’ trading standards required
Council chiefs have been urged to think carefully about their statutory duties when cutting services amid the threat of legal action.
Spend on trading standards falls dramatically
The total trading standards spend in Britain has fallen dramatically, undermining the ability of councils to undertake complex prosecutions, it has been claimed.
Worcestershire to bring trading standards back in-house
A district council leader has expressed her disappointment after Worcestershire CC decided to quit a shared service.
Safari, so goody
Just when you thought local government had got through the horsemeat scandal and along comes another...But this time, it’s not just your plain old burgers from Iceland.
The money makers
Dan Peters reports on the results of a joint The MJ, LGN and Localis study in which local authorities have highlighted income generation as a vital part of their survival.
Frozen’s chilling fraudsters
It’s the bane of every parent’s life – particularly those with young daughters – and now the unstoppable force of Disney’s all-conquering film Frozen has prompted an avalanche of fake goods.
Authority launches national scheme for soft drinks sector
Surrey CC has joined forces with the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) to launch a national trading standards scheme for the sector. Under the scheme, Association members including Coca-Cola and AG Barr will receive advice from Surrey Trading Standards about issues relating to food standards, safety and labelling.
Sharing the secrets of Sutton's safer success story
Sutton LBC has benefited from an innovative decade-long anti-crime partnership with the Met Police, which has not just made the borough safer but also driven real cost-savings.
How we handled Hovelgate
If Trading Standards is in your portfolio, dodgy schemes are just part of the job, explains Cllr John McCreesh, Cumbria CC environment portfolio holder.
