Member

Amendments 60 and 63, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Udny-Lister, are of course similar to the amendments he introduced in Committee. On the issue of warning notices and escalating fixed penalties for repeat offences, local trading standards must have regard to the Regulators’ Code, underpinned by the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006, when carrying out their enforcement activity. As such, they take a proportionate approach, which the noble Baroness, Lady Fox, endorsed—which was helpful. In the first instance, they must support businesses to be compliant through advice and guidance, an approach that was clearly highlighted during oral evidence presented to the Public Bill Committee in the other place. This includes issuing warning notices to encourage compliance before escalating to formal action and penalties.