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The relatively recent indicative fee scales were based on historic data which combined with the competitive realities of practice resulted in a downward ratchet on fees. Not helpful in the slightest.

Fixed fee scales of the sort that existed prior to this are surely ethically dubious.

Demand is key to the fee situation architects face and this is where a compulsory requirement for competent persons to be involved in planning applications would obviously bring benefit (without the moral hazard) alongside the wider benefit one would imagines it would engender in the quality of the built environment.