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Publications

2008

Making Markets Work (Phase II): Engaging with providers

25 June 2008

The Scottish Consumer Council (and the Scottish Centre for Regeneration) supported this research by the Scottish Council Foundation. The report builds on SCF’s earlier report which identified the need for a much deeper appreciation of private sector knowledge and assumptions about the barriers to (and opportunities for) market provision to low income households, communities and consumers.

The report argues that if businesses can take a different approach which helps to stimulate and support better functioning markets, this in turn can offer genuine choice and value for money for low income consumers, even if profit margins are less than at the middle to high income end of the market.

The Chair of the Scottish Consumer Council, Douglas Sinclair, said the report adds force to SCC’s argument that suppliers need to get better at serving disadvantaged consumers.

“This report is important because it helps us see more clearly how markets are operating for consumers in Scotland. We welcome its focus on developing innovative solutions to supplying goods and services to low-income households. Instead of forcing poorer consumers to pay a premium, providers should see them as an important group to reach. We hope that Scottish businesses will now move towards adopting the new ways of working explored in the report”.

The full report (512KB) can be downloaded by clicking here.

The summary report (1.24MB) can be downloaded by clicking here.

Making markets work for Consumers in Scotland - everyone benefits
Consumer switching behaviour and attitudes in key markets
6 May 2008
(993 KB)

Many of Scotland's consumers are happy to switch providers across a range of household services with the aim of getting better deals on price and quality. However, key groups are still being left behind.

A full report can be found by clicking the above link, however a report including the research data can be found here (513 KB).

Scottish Consumer Council response to the OFT Annual Plan 2008/09 Consultation
February 2008
The Scottish Consumer Council welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Office of Fair Trading's Annual Plan 2008/09 consultation. We congratulate the OFT on this well-structured plan and particularly welcome the focus on improving outcomes for consumers and on evaluating the OFT's impact on markets.
64KB

2007

Digital Diaries: consumers' experiences in the run-up to digital TV switchover in the Scottish Borders

3 December 2007

(3.07 MB)

Rural Advocacy in Scotland
12 Novermber 2007

Scotland's rural communities need to be given a louder voice and Scottish Government policies need to be properly "rural proofed", according to the findings of a new study published by Scotland's foremost consumer organisation.

Full Report (1.27MB)

Summary (2.67MB)

Response to the Ofcom Digital Dividend Review
The spectrum is a public resource, allocated through international agreements between states. We recognise Ofcom’s desire to make the best use of the released spectrum and the objectives of promoting innovation and a flexible approach to spectrum use that will allow for the development of services that will bring added value to consumers in the future. However, we believe that reliance, almost exclusively, on the market to deliver this will bring risks to some consumers and that it runs the risk of exacerbating rather than relieving the digital divide that still persists in Scotland.
79KB March 2007

Response to consultation - EU commission communication on health services
The SCC sets out the kind of information people are likely to need in relation to their rights to health care in other EU countries
123KB January 2007

2006

Working for a healthier Scotland: NHS 24’s strategy, 2006-2009

SCC welcomes this document and generally supports the strategy.

July 2006
85KB

2005

Is anybody listening? the user perspective on interpretation and translation services for minority ethnic communities

128KB May 2005

A summary of this report can be downloaded here.

In the Shadows: Emergency out of hours social work services in Scotland
This research report describes the variable pattern of provision of this service outside normal office hours.

220KB January 2005

£10 by post

2003

Scottish Consumer Council's response to the Scottish Executive Consultation on the OFT study on the Taxi and Private Hire Car Market

December 2003
52KB

Response supporting the OFTs investigation into the taxi and private hire car market, in relation to quantity restrictions on taxi licenses, on controls over quality, safety and disabled access and the maintenance of fare controls for

Policy paper on increasing the financial limit in small claims procedure

An analysis of the policy arguments for and against a significant increase in the existing limit under the small claims procedure in Scotland.
November 2003
Free by post

Response to the OFT Report on the Control of Entry Regulations and Retail Pharmacy in the UK
March 2003
61KB