Proposed reintroduction of imperial measures could cost taxpayers millions of pounds

29 Aug 2022 04:27 PM

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has urged the next Government to rethink plans to reintroduce imperial measures – in light of new research which suggests the plans could cost millions and potentially confuse consumers and businesses.

The Institute estimates that the plans would cost at least £2.2 million due to the need to purchase new measurement tools and provide training to trading standards professionals.  CTSI also commissioned a public opinion poll, which reveals deep divisions on the proposals.  The findings revealed:

• The public is either divided or apathetic around the proposal – around 1 in 4 (23.66%) believed that imperial measures would enhance their shopping experience, 1 in 4 (26.34%) disagreed, and the majority (50%) were not convinced either way.
• Almost 1 in 5 consumers (18%) said they were not confident that they could apply imperial measurements to their shopping.
• Over half of the respondents (56.40%) said they neither agreed nor disagreed that they would be more likely to shop from a business that provides imperial measures. The public was similarly split and indifferent on their likeliness to shop from a business that provides metric measures - 57.59% neither agreed nor disagreed.
• Only around 30% of respondents aged 16-44 said they would be confident applying imperial measures, compared to around 64% of those aged 65+.

Imperial measures have not been formally taught as a part of the national curriculum since 1972, leaving an enormous gap in knowledge among consumers. Overcoming this would require new additions to the national curriculum, as well as a national public education campaign requiring TV, radio and online advertising, potentially costing many millions of pounds.

CTSI, whose professional members would apply and enforce the potential changes, has warned that its members are concerned about the deeply negative impacts this could have on consumer confidence, alongside the public costs of implementing significant changes to the weights and measures regime, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis.

CTSI Chief Executive, John Herriman, recently said:

"Our polling does demonstrate a broad range of views when it comes to reintroducing imperial measures.  However, at a time when we are facing a cost-of-living crisis, we would question whether this measure is necessary.  When many of us are thinking about pounds and pence, should we be distracted by discussions about pounds and ounces?

“During this period of economic uncertainty, maintaining business confidence and having clarity of purpose is also vital.  While this proposal is voluntary, it could place businesses in a difficult position, with ambiguity and indecision as to how to satisfy the conflicting consumer views.   

“Our members, many of who are Trading Standards professionals, will naturally implement whatever is ultimately decided.  However, with Trading Standards already stretched, we are mindful of the not insignificant costs and additional burdens which the move to reintroduce imperial could have, and would therefore urge the Government to think again.”

Graham Wynn, Assistant Director of Business Regulation at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), recently said:

“Supermarkets are focusing on delivering the best value for their customers in the face of intense inflationary pressures. Introducing new rules, even if voluntary, to change the way we measure food and drink would distract from this vital task and add unnecessary complexity for consumers. Currently, the indication of imperial measures is allowed alongside metric ones, where that is helpful for customers.”

• The survey was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI). 2,016 UK adults were surveyed between 9 August 2022 - 12 August 2022

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is a national not-for-profit established in 1881 which supports the UK’s trading standards profession and works to protect consumers and safeguard honest businesses.  CTSI's members deliver frontline trading standards services at local authorities and businesses. www.tradingstandards.uk