OFT training for Trading Standards proves an all round success

176/06 13 December 2006

An independent evaluation of OFT training provided to Local Authority Trading Standards Services (LATSS) in the use of the Enterprise Act 2002 (EA2002) has found that LATSS knowledge and confidence in the use of their new powers had increased substantially.

Download the Evaluation of Enterprise Act training for TSS report (pdf 537 kb)

The OFT provide training and case support to LATSS officers in the use of Part 8 of the EA2002, which gives TSS officers significant new civil powers to prevent illegal trading actions without having to secure a criminal conviction.

The evaluation also found:

that over 90 per cent of LATSS officers felt that the OFT was best placed to deliver the training
that the training saved local government £5m per year through increased efficiency even though the total cost of the support is £150k per year, and
that following training, the use of EA2002 increased amongst those trained.

The evaluation highlighted a number of factors that hinder the use of EA2002 by LATSS including, some LATSS seeing the Act an extra burden and perceived a lack of support from other Trading Standards Services, as well as judiciary and internal legal departments in the use of the Act.

The evaluation therefore recommended that the OFT build on current success by:

continuing to encourage LATSS to use market intelligence to decide the best combination of EA2002 civil action and traditional criminal enforcement techniques
expanding the system of regional EA2002 forums and encourage discussion and co-operation in the use of the act, and
continue to target EA2002 training specifically at LATSS legal departments.

John Fingleton, OFT Chief Executive, said:

'We are pleased with the results of this evaluation as they show a good working relationship between the OFT and local Trading Standards Services. Through wide-ranging evaluation of all areas of our work, the OFT aims to offer continued improvements, and further increase our positive impact.'

NOTES

1. The evaluation was conducted by IFF, an independent full service market research agency specialising in bespoke, high quality, quantitative and qualitative research. IFF has over 30 years experience in working with the public sector, particularly in the area of skills, training and education/learning. Their estimate of impact was based on qualitative discussions with LATSS managers.

2. Part 8 of the Enterprise Act 2002 allows the OFT and the 204 individual members of the Local Authorities Trading Standards Service, and certain other bodies, to seek Enforcement Orders from the court to prevent breaches of a wide range of legislation to do with consumer protection.

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