Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service

10/06/2026

Does your child love these squishy dumplings? They’re the latest craze – with unboxing videos gaining millions of views.

But their popularity and high demand mean lots of fakes are now available to buy. And the counterfeit versions may contain harmful levels of dangerous chemicals.

✓ Buy from trusted retailers if you can – fakes may not meet our safety standards
✓ Check for proper labelling – missing safety information is a sign it’s fake
✓ If the toy is damaged, leaking or smells unusual, stop using it
✓ Avoid buying for under 3s - they’re most at risk from dangerous toys.

More tips on buying safe toys: https://capt.org.uk/buy-safe-toys/

05/06/2026

Set your business apart with Buy With Confidence.
We are committed to supporting professional, customer-focused businesses to join the Buy With Confidence (BWC) scheme.

Stand out from the crowd
Build trust with your customers
Demonstrate your commitment to excellent service

Interested? Visit the Buy With Confidence website to find out more about costs, what’s involved, and how to apply:
https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/apply

Once you register your interest, we’ll contact you to talk things through and send further information. There is no application fee until you decide you are ready to proceed.

01/06/2026

Great work from the team

29/05/2026

Buy With Confidence - Customer Feedback
Residents often tell us how reassuring it is to find a business they can truly trust.
Our word cloud showcases the most common themes from customer feedback received in March —and it’s clear that quality, care, and dedication really stand out. This feedback highlights the professionalism, reliability, and pride our members bring to their work every day.
At Buy With Confidence, we couldn’t be prouder of our members. We’re also incredibly grateful to all the customers who take the time to share their experiences—every review helps build and strengthen trust in our scheme.
Find a Buy With Confidence member at https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/

20/05/2026

Get involved with the My Home Made Better scheme!

My Home Made Better is a project led by the The Environment Centre (tEC), helping local residents improve energy efficiency, stay warm, access grants, and save money.
Learn more: www.myhomemadebetter.org

Calling all Buy With Confidence (BWC) members in Hampshire, Southampton or Portsmouth:
If you deliver retrofit work, you can join the My Home Made Better directory. The team is particularly keen to hear from members who support low-carbon and energy-efficiency improvements—whether you install measures or carry out preparatory work (e.g. damp treatment or ventilation ahead of insulation).
BWC members can register here:
www.myhomemadebetter.org/about-us/supplier-registration/

For questions, contact: [email protected]

About the scheme:
The My Home Made Better service is funded by the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme, managed by the Environment Centre (tEC), with significant support from Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council, Portsmouth City Council, and local charities.

15/05/2026

Cracking down on illegal to***co and v**es, see more below

Cracking down on illegal to***co and v**es 🚫

Our Trading Standards team continues to take action against the sale of illegal to***co and v**e products – helping to keep potentially dangerous, unregulated items off the streets and out of our communities.

This week, officers joined Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary for an operation at two retail premises in New Milton. The visit led to the seizure of illegal v**es, ci******es and hand-rolling to***co. The total value of the seized items, if sold illegally, would have been £8,989.

The team were also joined by George – pictured here – who played a key role in sniffing out the haul 🐾

If you suspect illegal to***co or v**e sales in Hampshire, please report it in confidence via the link in the comments below.

12/05/2026

We thoroughly check out all Buy With Confidence members to ensure they offer high standards of service and customer care.
Find a local trusted trader at https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/

08/05/2026

Buy With Confidence, Trading Standards Approved - have you bookmarked the website? https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/

New season, fresh start!

Spring is the perfect time to tackle those home jobs you've been putting off, but, before you book anyone, make sure you're choosing a trader you can actually trust.

Buy With Confidence is a free Trading Standards approved scheme that connects you with vetted, council-checked businesses in your area.

No regrets. No rip-offs. Just results.

🔎 Search Buy With Confidence before your next job: www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

21/04/2026

Find builders, roofers, plumbers, electricians and plenty more local businesses on https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/ vetted and approved by Trading Standards.
If you run a local business and would like to become a Buy With Confidence member get in touch at [email protected]

15/04/2026

Action from the CMA based on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA).
Drip pricing - where the headline price is one price, and then other additional mandatory fees are added, such as booking fees, postage etc.
It`s a topic we will be covering in the May Buy With Confidence Member`s newsletter. Buy With Confidence members receive consumer legislation updates and personalised advice as part of their membership package.

https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/

🚗 Learning to drive or know someone that is?

After looking into the AA Driving School and BSM Driving Schools’ online pricing practices, we’ve ordered them to refund thousands of learner drivers and pay a fine of £4.2m over drip pricing.

More than 80,000 customers will be refunded after they weren’t shown the total price upfront when booking lessons online. Instead, a mandatory £3 booking fee was included later, which is against the law.

This action follows our investigations into both driving schools - owned by Automobile Association Developments Limited (the AA).

This is the first time we’ve used our new consumer powers to secure money back for consumers. Where the rules are ignored, we’ll step in to put things right.

Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-orders-the-aa-and-bsm-driving-schools-to-refund-learner-drivers-over-drip-pricing