Question reference: S6W-02079
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 10 August 2021
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Current status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 2 September 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had or plans to hold with the Scottish Funding Council regarding supporting universities and colleges to ensure that there is capacity to grow and develop the number of trading standards officers required to meet any increase in demand arising from the (a) impact of Brexit, (b) recovery from COVID-19 and (c) changes in the environmental standards that are delivered through local authorities.
Answer
The Scottish Government has not and does not plan to hold any discussions with the Scottish Funding Council on this matter unless approached or asked for support by our partners in local government. Scottish Ministers routinely engage with COSLA which provides an opportunity for areas of concern for local government to be raised.
Trading Standards Officers are employed by Scotland’s local authorities and it is therefore a matter for them, as independent corporate bodies with responsibility for the management of their workforce, to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet their future needs and requirements.