Ensuring that markets work well for businesses and consumers – a strategic assessment of markets in Scotland

Conclusions

The devolution of certain competition powers gives the Scottish Government the opportunity to ensure that Scotland's markets are competitive and fair to consumers and to highlight where markets are not working well for consumers. The Scottish Government will work closely with stakeholders to ensure that areas of current or potential detriment to Scottish consumers are highlighted and that solutions are found.

The Strategic Assessment of Markets in Scotland is our first step in highlighting markets where there may be detriment to Scottish consumers. Specifically, the Assessment identifies areas of specific detriment to Scottish consumers due to our distinct economic, geographic and social circumstances which may mean that problems faced by Scottish consumers are different to other parts of the UK.

The findings of the Strategic Assessment of Markets in Scotland will inform the Scottish Government's work in the short to medium term. This Assessment contains actions that the Scottish Government will take forward in order to address market failures in Scotland. In taking action on these issues, the Scottish Government will work in close partnership with stakeholders to address the detriment to Scottish consumers.