Extra money for import checks welcomed

4 Mar 2010 09:34 AM

An extra £300,000 to stop dangerous products finding their way into British shops has been welcomed by LBRO, the public body responsible for better local regulation.

LBRO undertook groundbreaking research to help Government to understand the value of the work of enforcement officers at the country's ports and other key points of entry and support the case to provide more funding for product safety testing.

Consumer Minister Kevin Brennan announced the extra cash at Felixstowe on Tuesday, where it is estimated that 40 per cent of non-EU goods enter the UK. According to the LBRO report - Addressing National Threats Through National Service Delivery - Trading Standards officers at ports such as Felixstowe in Suffolk are tackling £160m of potential harm to UK citizens and the economy every year.

LBRO recently undertook the analysis work and advised the government on where the money should be allocated for pilot programmes. Felixstowe will get an additional £85,000 this year and Trading Standards in the South East will get an additional £45,000 - if the concept is proven, more should follow.

Chairman of LBRO, Clive Grace, said: "This is about improving the way the system of checks on imports operates nationally and enhancing protection for UK citizens. This extra money will go a long way.

"We're delighted that our work with Suffolk County Council, which underpinned the Consumer White Paper published by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, has resulted in this welcome extra funding.

"The work done by our Trading Standards officers is often underappreciated when one considers they are protecting us from harm and financial loss."

According to the British Ports Association, in 2005 the value of trade through British ports was £336bn.

The LBRO summary report - Addressing National Threats Through National Service Delivery - is available at www.lbro.org.uk/docs/national-threats-lbro-summary-report.pdf. The full report is available on application.

1. The Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) helps local authorities improve their environmental health, trading standards, fire safety and licensing services - reducing burdens on businesses that comply with the law while targeting those who flout it. It was incorporated as a government-owned limited company in May 2007. Following the commencement of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 on 1 October 2008, it now operates as an executive non-departmental public body, accountable to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills through the Better Regulation Executive. LBRO is governed by an independent Board, has a staff of around 25 and is based in central Birmingham. Our remit covers the whole of the UK and we liaise closely with the devolved administrations to ensure our work in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is appropriate. For further information please visit www.lbro.org.uk

 

Media enquiries to Jo Barker or Roland Curtis. Tel: 0121 226 4019.

Email: jo.barker@lbro.org.uk or roland.curtis@lbro.org.uk