Published: 7 February 2012
Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘We welcome the move by E.ON to change its Direct Debit policy. It is a victory for common sense and hopefully the first of many steps the company will take in its Reset Review programme to improve the experience of its customers. ‘With this in mind [...]
Published: 7 February 2012
Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘We welcome the move by E.ON to change its Direct Debit policy. It is a victory for common sense and hopefully the first of many steps the company will take in its Reset Review programme to improve the experience of its customers. ‘With this in mind [...]
Published: 2 February 2012
Responding to Ofcom’s new research on UK broadband speeds, Adam Scorer, Director of Policy and External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘It’s good news that customers are getting faster broadband speeds. But there is still often a very clear gap between the maximum speeds advertised by suppliers and what people actually receive. People don’t expect [...]
Published: 1 February 2012
Following DECC confirmation of Government assurances that it will be voluntary rather than compulsory for households to have a smart energy meter fitted, Zoe McLeod, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘It is welcome that the Government has clarified that customers have a choice over whether they have a smart meter or not. Smart meters have [...]
Published: 27 January 2012
This month:
- Energy news
- Post news
- What consumers think of online public services
- Downsides to digital
- What’s new from Consumer Focus – our latest research
- Behaviour change and CSR conference
Published: 27 January 2012
Responding to the announcement of the Financial Services Bill, Sarah Brooks, Director of Financial Services at Consumer Focus said: ‘This is a once in a generation opportunity to reform our financial regulation and it is vital we get it right. Consumers have been losing out for too long. It is important that the Bill ensures [...]
Published: 25 January 2012
Responding to the solar subsidy appeal decision today Liz Lainé, energy expert at Consumer Focus said: ‘Consumers want certainty on what to expect when they sign up for solar panels, or any other energy efficiency programme. An ongoing legal battle would be likely to undermine consumer confidence so we’d urge the Government to draw a [...]
Published: 25 January 2012
Consumer Focus and National Energy Action are warning that the UK Government’s flagship scheme to help the poorest households in England to make their homes warmer and cut their energy bills, is set for up to a £30 million underspend this year. This means many older people, families and people with long-term health problems will [...]
Published: 24 January 2012
Responding to the news that Royal Mail and Post Office Limited (POL) have agreed a commercial arrangement that will provide a significant amount of security for the network over the next ten years, Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus said: ‘We welcome this announcement by Edward Davey – a ten year deal is good [...]
Published: 18 January 2012
Consumer Focus and Energy UK are urging consumers to take one simple step to call their supplier and find out how much they could save on their energy bills, by better insulating their home and checking they are on the best tariff or payment method. The call comes during Big Energy Week, as millions of [...]
Published: 17 January 2012
Welcoming the Public Accounts Committee report on preparations for the roll-out of smart meters, Zoe McLeod, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘This report echoes concerns that we have raised repeatedly about the cost and rollout of smart meters. There are many potential benefits of smart metering but they will only be realised if Government [...]
Published: 16 January 2012
Responding to E.ON’s 6% price cut on electricity announced today, Adam Scorer, Director of Policy and External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘With cuts from five of the Big Six the spotlight is now on Scottish Power as the last of the major suppliers to act. Their customers will also be keen to see if [...]
Published: 13 January 2012
Responding to npower’s gas price cut of 5%, Adam Scorer, Director of Policy and External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Cuts from four firms in three days is a good sign. We hope this rapid succession of announcements means that they understand that consumers expect them to respond quickly when wholesale costs are down for [...]
Published: 13 January 2012
Welcoming this important report from the Treasury Committee on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Sarah Brooks, Director of Financial Services at Consumer Focus said: ‘We agree that the Financial Services Bill needs to have stronger provisions to protect consumers. The right balance between the demands of industry and the needs of consumers has not yet [...]
Published: 12 January 2012
Responding to British Gas’ 5% cut in electricity prices and SSE’s 4.5% cut in gas prices announced today, Adam Scorer, Director of Policy and External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Consumers will be pleased with further price cuts so hot on the heels of EDF Energy’s reductions. This is the quickest succession of price changes [...]
Published: 11 January 2012
Adam Scorer, Director of Policy and External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘This is an overdue but nonetheless welcome move. EDF Energy is the first of the major suppliers to reduce prices and the others will need to respond. The cut is not enormous given the scale of increases last year but it creates some [...]
Published: 2 February 2012
Responding to Ofcom’s new research on UK broadband speeds, Annie McGovern, Digital Expert at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: ‘It’s good news that the Ofcom research shows customers are getting faster broadband speeds but many people across Scotland will take some convincing. There is still a digital divide in Scotland between the speeds people can get [...]
Published: 31 January 2012
Annie McGovern, digital expert at Consumer Focus Scotland said: “Consumers in Scotland want fast and reliable broadband services and to be able to keep pace with all the new fantastic technology developments the 21st century will offer. Having the right infrastructure in place is absolutely critical to doing this. “These commitments by the Scottish [...]
Published: 25 January 2012
More work needed to make Green Deal right for consumers The success of the UK government’s Green Deal – the new scheme intended to transform the energy efficiency of homes and businesses and lower fuel bills – needs more work for consumers in Scotland to be convinced. In response to the UK government’s ‘Green Deal [...]
Published: 24 January 2012
Consumer watchdog response to post office deal Responding to the UK government’s announcement that Royal Mail and Post Office Limited (POL) have agreed a commercial arrangement that will provide a significant amount of security for the network over the next ten years, Sarah O’Neill, Director of Policy at Consumer Focus Scotland said: “This ten year [...]
Published: 24 January 2012
Trisha McAuley, Deputy Director at Consumer Focus Scotland said: “It is good news that water charges are not going up. Households budgets are under a lot of pressure with the high cost of basic items such as energy and food so consumers need to see value for money from their public services and will expect [...]
Published: 6 February 2012
In a report Staying Local: the Future of the Post Office Network, the consumer watchdog found that while there are clear benefits for customers in PO Locals, consumers also have concerns.
Published: 2 February 2012
Consumer Focus Wales is calling on consumers to back their campaign to make changes to food law in Wales.
Published: 31 January 2012
Consumer Focus Wales has asked AMs to support action to protect people who live in park homes from financial abuse by rogue site owners.
Published: 18 January 2012
“More than two in every five Welsh consumers have never switched their energy supplier. Many of those who have switched have done so just once, switching from separate gas and electricity suppliers to a dual fuel deal. That means as many as eight out of ten households in Wales could be paying more than they need to heat their homes." - Lindsey Kearton, Consumer Focus Wales.
Published: 9 January 2012
We believe that these goals, which have been drawn from our major consultation exercise with consumers in all corners of Wales – will provide a fitting legacy for all the hard work undertaken by Consumer Focus Wales.
Published: 5 February 2012
A new report published today by Consumer Focus Post – called ‘Consumer Friendly Post Offices?’1 – examines how well the Post Office network is meeting the needs of Northern Ireland consumers. The new findings show that post offices are well-used and valued, with four in 10 consumers visiting the post office once a week, increasing [...]
Published: 24 January 2012
Responding to the news that Royal Mail and Post Office Limited (POL) have agreed a commercial arrangement that will provide a significant amount of security for the network over the next ten years, Kellin McCloskey, Head of Postal Policy at Consumer Focus Post said: ‘We welcome this announcement by Edward Davey – a ten year [...]
Published: 5 December 2011
Consumer Focus Post is calling for people to think about posting cards and presents and ordering online Christmas shopping earlier this year. Many people may be risking Christmas disappointment by posting their Christmas mail and doing their online Christmas shopping at the last minute. Kellin McCloskey, Head of Postal Policy at Consumer Focus Post said: [...]
Published: 24 October 2011
Responding to Simon Hamilton MLA’s call today for drivers in Northern Ireland to be allowed to renew their car tax online, Kellin McCloskey, Head of Postal Policy at Consumer Focus Post, ‘Consumers in Northern Ireland need a range of options for renewing their car tax, or indeed accessing any government service. Access both online and [...]
Published: 20 October 2011
Responding to Ofcom proposals on regulation of the postal service, Kellin McCloskey, Head of Postal Policy, Consumer Focus Post, said: ‘The proposals made by Ofcom today suggest major change for the future of Northern Ireland’s postal service. We must ensure the right balance between putting Royal Mail on a stable footing and ensuring value and [...]
