Member

Finally, I will say a few words in support of Amendment 109. Ring-fencing the funds raised would help to mitigate current critical shortages in funding for trading standards. This would better enable them to sustain enforcement efforts and activities, especially in high-risk areas such as online marketplaces. With dedicated funds, trading standards can increase their operational capacity, enabling them to perform regular checks, respond to complaints and uphold compliance more effectively. This amendment would also help to level the competitive playing field. It would benefit our high streets—our bricks and mortar retail outlets—by ensuring that online and overseas sellers face equivalent compliance standards, creating fairer competition across different sales channels.