Consumer Scotland Act 2020

Accountability

14 Forward work programmes

(1) Consumer Scotland must before each programme year prepare and publish a document (the “forward work programme”) containing—

(a) a statement of any priorities of Consumer Scotland for the year in relation to consumers generally and in relation to vulnerable consumers,

(b) a general description of the main activities (including any investigations) which it plans to undertake during the year in relation to consumers generally and in relation to vulnerable consumers,

(c) a statement of any other priorities of Consumer Scotland for the year,

(d) a general description of any other investigations which it plans to undertake during the year (other than those comprising routine activities in the exercise of its functions).

(2) The description of an investigation under subsection (1)(b) or (d) must include the objectives of the investigation.

(3) In preparing the forward work programme for any year, Consumer Scotland must have regard to the views of consumers and other persons, bodies and organisations having an interest in consumer matters.

(4) Consumer Scotland must lay a copy of any forward work programme published under subsection (1) before the Scottish Parliament.

(5) In this section, “programme year” means—

(a) the first period of 12 months beginning on 1 April following the day this section comes into force, and

(b) each successive period of 12 months.

15 Reports on investigations

(1) Consumer Scotland must, as soon as reasonably practicable after the conclusion of any investigation conducted under section 4(2), prepare and publish a report setting out—

(a) its findings,

(b) any recommendations arising out of the investigation,

(c) how, in conducting the investigation, Consumer Scotland has had regard to any activities carried on by specified persons and any other persons with the same functions as, or similar functions to, Consumer Scotland.

(2) Consumer Scotland must send a copy of each report prepared under subsection (1) to the Scottish Ministers.

(3) In subsection (1)(c), “specified” means specified in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers under section 7(8).

16 Annual report

(1) Consumer Scotland must, as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year—

(a) prepare and publish a report on its activities during the year,

(b) lay a copy of the report before the Scottish Parliament, and

(c) send a copy of the report to the Scottish Ministers.

(2) It is for Consumer Scotland to determine the form and content of each report.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), a report under subsection (1) must set out how Consumer Scotland has had regard to any activities carried on by specified persons and any other persons with the same functions as, or similar functions to, Consumer Scotland.

(4) In subsection (3), “specified” means specified in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers under section 7(8).

17 Consumer welfare report

(1) Consumer Scotland must, as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each reporting period, prepare and publish a report on—

(a) how well the interests of consumers are being served in Scotland, and

(b) where harm is being caused to the interests of consumers in Scotland, the nature and extent of that harm.

(2) A report under subsection (1) must set out how Consumer Scotland has had regard to the interests of vulnerable consumers.

(3) In preparing a report under subsection (1), Consumer Scotland must have regard to the views of consumers and other persons, bodies and organisations having an interest in consumer matters.

(4) Consumer Scotland must—

(a) lay a copy of each report prepared under subsection (1) before the Scottish Parliament, and

(b) send a copy of it to the Scottish Ministers.

(5) In this section, “reporting period” means—

(a) the period of 3 years beginning with 1 April next following the coming into force of this section, and

(b) each subsequent period of 3 years.