OPINION: Trading Standards cannot protect modern consumers or attract future talent from the sidelines. A direct call for the profession to engage with digital culture, diverse communities and social media on their own terms.

UPDATES: CTSI has marked National Apprenticeship Week by promoting Trading Standards as an open and rewarding career path, with apprenticeships helping services build skills and attract new talent.

UPDATES: Consumer group Which? has published a new report on the capacity and performance of Local Authority Trading Standards services which it says exposes ‘shocking differences in staffing levels.

DEVELOPMENT: The Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) is a vital piece of UK legislation that allows Trading Standards authorities (and other law enforcement agencies) to tackle criminal activity by.

UPDATES: CTSI is offering free training for members on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, covering new online consumer protections, enforcement powers and rules affecting tech firms, marketplaces and sellers.

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ANALYSIS: Peter Tompkins’ 60-year Trading Standards career spans from Weights and Measures inspections to modern consumer protection. He’s seen major changes: more women in the profession, shifts from prosecutions to advice, and challenges from austerity. Optimistic, he stresses the need for proper funding, sensible regulation, and further support for new officers ...

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ANALYSIS: Nearly half a billion pounds was lost to bank scams in the UK last year, leaving victims “devastated, embarrassed and angry with themselves.” Experts warn that consumer education is key to prevention, yet dwindling resources mean many miss out on vital guidance. Discover how Trading Standards is fighting back - and why early education could protect you for life ...

OPINION: The language used by regulators, businesses and campaigners can shape behaviour as much as policy itself. Clear communication remains a powerful tool for consumer protection.

OPINION: Progress depends on creating the conditions for success rather than simply identifying obstacles. This piece explores a positive, practical approach to leadership and change.

OPINION: As the profession continues to evolve, travelling new roads brings fresh opportunities alongside difficult decisions. Reflection, resilience and ambition are central themes.