Retail Trade: Smuggling
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how (i) consumers and (ii) businesses can report incidents of illicit trade on high streets.
Answered by Blair McDougall
The National Crime Agency estimates that at least £1 billion is being laundered through rogue shops operating on UK high streets. Addressing this threat is a priority for the Government, and on 19 May, the government announced a £30 million crackdown targeting cash intensive business such as barber shops, vape stores, mini-marts and sweet shops operating on our high streets, over three years.
Consumers who have concerns about the conduct or legitimacy of a business can contact the Citizens Advice consumer service. The helpline can refer issues to local trading standards officers for them to act upon. The information shared is also used by enforcement teams and regulators nationwide to identify wider market issues and allow for more serious action to be taken against the most egregious breaches of consumer law.
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