Office of Fair Trading consults with rural communities

The UK’s more remote rural communities are being invited to contribute to a fact-finding review by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

The watchdog wants to know about the challenges facing consumers and businesses in remote communities, having recognised that prices of many goods (not least fuel!) and services are frequently high.

It is also taking a look at access to key services such as shops, dentists, chemists, banks and public transport.

As part of the project, workshops will be run with residents in Devon, Northumberland, Shetland, Highland, Gwynedd, Bridgend and County Tyrone.

OFT director, Kyla Brand, comments: “We want to get a clearer picture of these issues and understand and explain some of the reasons behind them.”

Adding: “We also want to explore what the OFT, or other bodies could do to reduce the downsides, and maximise the benefits of remoteness.”

Consumers and businesses wishing to contribute to the study need to send their views before 20th April to the OFT Office in Scotland, 23 Walker Street, Edinburgh EH3 7HX, or fill in an online form available from www.oft.gov.uk/remcom or email remotecommunities@oft.gsi.gov.uk.

The outcome of this call for evidence should be published by July.