Current work

Making Markets Work

In 2007/08 SCC contributed to Phase 2 of a Scottish Council Foundation study on Making Markets Work. This research identified the main factors to consider in stimulating and supporting better-functioning markets, greater choice and value for money for low-income consumers. Phase 2 consisted of interviews with private sector providers to explore their engagement with disadvantaged consumers and communities.

The report of this work is due for publication in Summer 2008.

A third phase of this work, planned for 2008, will focus on the views of consumers themselves.

Access to the internet via public terminals

In Scotland, less people have access to the internet than anywhere else in the UK and this is more marked in lower income groups. A key feature of the Scottish Executive’s policy on universal Internet access is focused on public access terminals in libraries, community centres etc. As more and more services are delivered electronically, the danger of people without Internet access being marginalised becomes greater.

We will be continuing research with local authorities on how they provide access to the internet. We will be complementing this with research on consumers experiences of using public internet terminals.

Essential services in Scotland

Many consumers still have difficulty in accessing the services that are essential to meeting their basic needs. In Scotland, there are particular issues around geography and the problems faced by people living in rural, remote and island areas.

What goods and services should be available?

There is a need for a debate on what goods and services should be universally accessible and how they should be funded and delivered, with particular emphasis on disadvantaged consumers.

We will be examining:

• what services consumers think are essential
• how they can or cannot access them
• how these services are paid for.

The National Consumer Council has produced a series of reports on meeting basic needs.

NCC Everyday Essentials: meeting basic needs