Trading standards are part financed by companies they regulate

[Judge mental]

I heard a worrying article on 5 live, that Trading Standards are in bed with many companies they regulate, by having 'partnership agreements' where the company pays TS for 'consultations and advise' as an alternative method of funding.

Such arrangements are surly a conflict of interest as TS may become (or already be) so dependant on the money they would not prosecute a company for fear of losing their income.

The program can be listened to here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tl99q

[TUTTSI]

Re: Trading standards are part financed by companies they regulate

I can think of one such credit card company who the TS never take to court....

I heard a worrying article on 5 live, that Trading Standards are in bed with many companies they regulate, by having 'partnership agreements' where the company pays TS for 'consultations and advise' as an alternative method of funding.

Such arrangements are surly a conflict of interest as TS may become (or already be) so dependant on the money they would not prosecute a company for fear of losing their income.

The program can be listened to here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tl99q

[Judge mental]

Re: Trading standards are part financed by companies they regulate

the program centers around a finance company who, under their 'partnership' carried the Trading Standards logo, and has calls from trading standards officers who express their concerns, one also discloses that no company with a 'partnership arrangements' has ever been prosecuted