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: 20 June 2011
This month: – the goings on in the world of energy – what’s new from Consumer Focus – our latest research and reports – our round table on super-complaints – what our new empowered consumers team will be up to – what we’ve got planned for the Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards Conference Don’t forget [...]
Published: 14 June 2011
In response to independent research carried out by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS), William Baker, fuel poverty expert at Consumer Focus, which commissioned the work, said: ‘The research shows low-income households spend more than twice as much of their budget on energy when compared to the highest income groups. This means they live in [...]
Published: 8 June 2011
Consumer Focus has today published the third of its quarterly energy complaints league tables. The rankings compiled by the consumer champion show that complaints against several of the ‘Big 6’ have decreased over the second half of winter 2010/2011. Several energy suppliers have gone up by one-star in the rankings as a result. SSE has [...]
Published: 7 June 2011
Responding to Scottish Power’s price rise of 19% for gas 10% for electricity announced today, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘This huge increase will be a body blow for consumers and we fear other firms will follow Scottish Power’s lead. Companies have been softening customers up for price rises for months [...]
Published: 7 June 2011
As Ofgem considers whether energy companies will cooperate with its Retail Market Review, Consumer Focus calls on the regulator to stick to its guns and drive through key reforms in the energy market.1 Commenting on the necessary changes to the energy market, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Consumer Focus has argued [...]
Published: 2 June 2011
Responding to the Government’s consumer protection plans announced today for its ‘Green Deal’ energy efficiency scheme, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Consumers need to have confidence in the Green Deal if it is to work. So it is good news that the Government has responded to our challenges on the need [...]
Published: 31 May 2011
Responding to eBay’s research on mobile shopping, Marzena Lipman, digital expert at Consumer Focus said: ‘Mobile commerce offers consumers another choice on how they shop. But it is only an easy option for customers if they have the coverage to make it workable on their handset. ‘Patchy coverage, particularly in more isolated areas, hits consumers [...]
Published: 27 May 2011
In response to SSE’s appeal today against the guilty verdict against it for doorstep mis-selling in a court case pursued by Surrey Trading Standards, Adam Scorer, Director of External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘No-one who has seen SSE’s sales script could doubt that it was misleading and that this was not just a rogue [...]
Published: 27 May 2011
Welcoming the changes to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) rules on complaint handling, Adam Scorer, Director of External Affairs at Consumer Focus said: ‘It’s good news for consumers that FSA is taking a stronger line on complaints handling. This is an industry with confusing products and an appalling record for mis-selling. It feels designed to [...]
Published: 27 May 2011
Responding to Ofcom’s research on mobile broadband access1, Adam Scorer, Director of External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Ofcom’s research shows that the small number of consumers relying on mobile broadband to get access to the internet, is increasing. Yet coverage for mobile and fixed broadband is still patchy – leaving a lottery for consumers [...]
Published: 27 May 2011
In response to Royal Mail’s performance statistics published today, Robert Hammond, Head of Post at Consumer Focus, said: ‘We cannot judge whether Royal Mail has failed to meet its service targets from this data. Royal Mail uses figures it has adjusted to take account of disruption from snow and volcanic ash. These adjustments have not yet [...]
Published: 27 May 2011
In response to SSE’s appeal today against the guilty verdict against it for doorstep mis-selling in a court case pursued by Surrey Trading Standards, Adam Scorer, Director of External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘No-one who has seen SSE’s sales script could doubt that it was misleading and that this was not just a rogue [...]
Published: 25 May 2011
Responding to new Telecoms regulations coming into effect limiting mobile phone and broadband contract lengths and improving mobile phone portability, Adam Scorer, Director of External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘These welcome new regulations will help to give consumers greater choice. ‘Increasingly long contracts, particularly for smart phones, have had a sting in the tail [...]
Published: 24 May 2011
In response to the Communications Consumer Panel’s press release which reveals widespread concerns over online data privacy, Marzena Lipman, digital expertise at Consumer Focus said: ‘Consumers are extremely concerned about how their personal data is collected online and they need clear information about how to keep it private. If someone’s online activity is being monitored [...]
Published: 23 May 2011
This month: – our successful campaign to stop landlords from renting out cold homes – a new online tool for tenants who want to take over the management of their building – a training day for those interested in behaviour change programmes – details of our recent publications including our annual plan Next month we’ll [...]
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 [...]
