Cowboys are 'on the run' in Scotland

Scotland is now well on the way towards driving cowboy contractors out of town, according to Scottish Building chief executive Sid Patten.

The building employer's chief was speaking as the first batch of 35 companies received "licensed contractor" status after assessment by Scotland's Construction Licensing Executive (CLE). More than 200 members of Scottish Building have already applied for licensing by the quality watchdog, including` some of Scotland's largest building firms.

Patten said: "We are in a position to say with confidence that the scourge of the rogue traders can now be dealt a serious blow. I am confident the CLE will go from strength to strength as the network of licensed contractors increases and as consumers are made increasingly aware of the benefits the initiative can bring."

As an independent regulatory body, the CLE is backed by the Scottish Executive, the TUC, the professions, insurers, mortgage lenders and consumer interest groups, as well as the industry's own trade bodies. Criteria for registration include technical capability, employee skills and qualifications, financial probity, warranties, health and safety, liability insurance and customer care.

Patten concluded: "We want to create a situation where only businesses the public can trust can operate and where the work of legitimate contractors is recognised."