Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is taking steps with (a) Google UK and (b) other search engines to help tackle advertisements by fraudulent locksmiths.

Online platforms must comply with The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act which prohibits unfair trading, including misleading omissions and actions. The Act clarifies that online platforms must exercise professional diligence in relation to consumer transactions promoted or made on their platforms. The legislation carries criminal penalties and is enforced by Trading Standards officers.

The Government encourages consumers to use providers that operate under a regulated trusted trader scheme, such as the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA), which has a Police Crime Prevention-approved licensing scheme in place to ensure approved locksmiths are appropriately vetted, inspected and qualified.