37.Section 14 requires that Consumer Scotland must, before each programme year, prepare and publish a forward work programme. A programme year corresponds to a financial year (i.e. 1 April to 31 March). This document must include, for the following year:
Consumer Scotland’s priorities (in relation to consumers generally and in relation to vulnerable consumers);
a description of its main planned activities (in relation to consumers generally and in relation to vulnerable consumers);
details of any other priorities, and
details of any investigations it plans to undertake over and above those which are routine activities necessary to fulfil its functions.
38.When the forward work programme is being prepared, Consumer Scotland must have regard to the views of consumers and other persons, bodies and organisations having an interest in consumer matters.
39.This published programme must also be laid before the Scottish Parliament. Under section 7, Consumer Scotland must have regard to its forward work programme when exercising its functions.