Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of fraudulent locksmith advertising on (a) consumers and (b) legitimate locksmith businesses.

The government is aware of concerns about fraudulent locksmiths advertising and the harm it causes consumers and legitimate locksmith businesses. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 prohibits unfair commercial practices, including misleading actions and omissions, and clarifies that online platforms must exercise professional diligence in relation to consumer transactions promoted or made on their platforms.

The department is engaging with relevant stakeholders (including the Master Locksmiths Association) and enforcement bodies to better understand the issue and consider how fraudulent practices can best be addressed.