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 May 2011
Consumer Focus has published its Annual Plan for 2011/12 which details how it will continue to seek a fair deal for consumers in what will be a challenging year for millions of people. The Government has proposed transferring some of Consumer Focus’s functions to other bodies, and this process is likely to take until at [...]
Published: 20 May 2011
Responding to SSE’s full-year results, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Hard-pressed consumers will be grinding their teeth in frustration as the second of the Big Six hints at price rises while reporting increased profits.1 Customers simply don’t have faith that they are being asked to pay a fair price and Ofgem [...]
Published: 18 May 2011
Welcoming the Hargreaves review, which Consumer Focus believes should help drive much needed economic growth by providing real benefits for consumers, Mike O’Connor CBE, Chief Executive at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Our copyright regime is out of date and out of touch. It is high time that the law is updated for the “iPad era” where [...]
Published: 18 May 2011
Responding to proposals from Co-operatives UK for the mutualisation of Post Office Ltd1, Andy Burrows, postal services expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Changing the Post Office’s ownership to a mutual model could have potential benefits and we welcome the UK Government’s plan to explore these options. However, the critical issue for consumers must be that [...]
Published: 18 May 2011
Responding to the Financial Ombudsman Service’s (FOS) annual review, Sarah Brooks, Head of Financial Services at Consumer Focus said: ‘The FOS is to be commended for helping with so many consumers’ complaints this year. The banks’ battle to dodge its PPI responsibilities has damaged the industry’s reputation, tied up the Ombudsman’s resources and worst of [...]
Published: 17 May 2011
Responding to tougher carbon emission reduction targets announced today, Adam Scorer, Director of External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘The UK Government has committed to a landmark target to cut our carbon emissions. The need for tough action on carbon is widely accepted, but this will come at a high cost. The challenge now is [...]
Published: 12 May 2011
Consumer Focus is launching a new web tool which allows leaseholders to look at whether they could work with their neighbours to take over the management of their building. While many people own the leasehold to their individual flat, the building will sometimes be owned by an outside landlord who usually charges a fee for [...]
Published: 11 May 2011
Welcoming the Government’s announcement that it will ban landlord’s from renting homes that have poor energy ratings from 2018, Consumer Focus energy expert, Audrey Gallacher, said, ‘This is a significant move by the Government, which could lift up to 150,000 households out of fuel poverty. ‘The Green Deal will cut the up-front costs of home improvements [...]
Published: 10 May 2011
Responding to SSE being found guilty today of using a misleading sales script for doorstep energy sales in a court case pursued by Surrey Trading Standards, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Misleading doorstep energy sales have been a nightmare for consumers for years, leaving many switching to a worse energy deal. [...]
Published: 10 May 2011
Commenting on the Second Reading debate on the Energy Bill today, Liz Lainé, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘For this ambitious scheme to deliver results consumers need to have complete faith that it will work for them. The Government still needs to answer essential questions on Green Deal, ensure the right protections are in [...]
Published: 10 May 2011
Welcoming the introduction of Co-op Energy as a new competitor into the UK energy market, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘We’re glad to see a new player enter this market, which has long been dominated by only the big six firms. Co-operative Energy is making some welcome promises on trying to [...]
Published: 9 May 2011
Responding to speculation of energy price rises in light of Centrica’s interim management satement, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘This is going to be an acid test of whether Ofgem’s inquiry has managed to discipline energy firms’ behaviour. Global gas prices are volatile, but Centrica will benefit hugely at the production [...]
Published: 9 May 2011
In response to British Bankers Association dropping its legal action about the handling of complaints about Payment Protection Insurance (PPI, Adam Scorer, Director of External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Finally the banks have agreed to face the music on the issue of PPI. The entire episode is an embarrassment for our High Street banks [...]
Published: 9 May 2011
Responding to E.ON’s announcement that it will be installing one million smart meters by the end of March 2014, Zoe McLeod, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘With British Gas and now E.ON starting major rollouts of smart meters there will be at least three million meters in customers’ homes by 2014. ‘Some customers will [...]
Published: 5 May 2011
In response to Lloyds Banking Group’s decision to set aside £3.2 billion to reimburse customers mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI), Oliver Morgans, financial services expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘It is good news that Lloyds has recognised the PPI court ruling has left banks with nowhere to hide. This was mis-selling on an epic scale. [...]
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 [...]
