CONSUMERS who claim they have been ripped off by unscrupulous firms would have their complaints championed in an independent Scotland.

A new ombudsman would support a one-stop shop for complaints and dispute involving customers and businesses under a paper unveiled yesterday by Finance Secretary John Swinney.

He wants to create the world's most comprehensive, integrated system of consumer protection and business regulation if the voters back independence in next year's referendum.

Mr Swinney said an independent state would replace the "cluttered and confusing" UK-wide approach that currently leaves consumers unsure who to turn to with their complaints about goods and services.

There are 95 ombudsman schemes operating across 35 different sectors, but Mr Swinney is considering two options.

The first would see just three agencies covering economic regulation, competition and consumer advocacy, advice, education and enforcement.

The other would see two combining a consumer and competition authority and an allied economic regulator.

Problems endured by people using payday loan firms, parcel delivery charges and businesses cold-calling calling households would also be tackled, Mr Swinney added.

Companies that offer short-term cash to struggling consumers would also be faced with a new system to cap interest rates and prevent debts "rolling over".

He said: "At the heart of what we are setting out is an agenda that essentially champions the interests of consumers, and ensuring the regulatory landscape addresses the needs of consumers, and does it in a way that reflects the needs of good, reliable solid businesses.

"As incomes are squeezed and costs continue to increase, it is even more important we are protected from unscrupulous traders, with those on low incomes, the elderly and the vulnerable particularly at risk of being exploited."

Richard Lloyd, executive director of Which?, the consumer campaigning group, praised the streamlined consumer protection landscape and its "healthy acceptance of external influence," adding: "The mess we are in at the moment is because the consumer is seen as an aftermath.

However, a UK Government spokesman said trading standards provided an effective remedy for disgruntled consumers.

The spoesman added: "Rogue traders do not respect national borders and it is far more effective to take a UK-wide approach to gathering intelligence, threat assessment and enforcement."