Section 17 – Consumer welfare report
42.Section 17 requires Consumer Scotland to produce a consumer welfare report as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of every three year reporting period (to 31 March). This report must be published, sent to the Scottish Ministers and laid before the Scottish Parliament. The report must set out how well consumer interests are being served in Scotland and, where there is consumer harm, what form that takes and how widespread it is.
43.Consumer Scotland must have regard to the views of consumers and other persons, bodies and organisations having an interest in consumer matters when preparing this report. Consumer Scotland will therefore have to consult, ask for evidence from, or work collaboratively with such persons when preparing the report.
44.Consumer Scotland must also, when preparing the consumer welfare report, set out how it has had regard to the interests of vulnerable consumers.