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: 3 May 2011
Responding to CWU polling of sub postmasters’ concerns about changes to Royal Mail and the Post Office network, Andy Burrows, postal services expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Our research shows consumers see warning lights about the Post Office Local scheme, which could see around 2,000 traditional sub-post offices replaced.1 Consumers would also be very concerned [...]
Published: 28 April 2011
30-day energy price rise notifications come into effect In response to Ofgem’s requirement coming into effect for energy suppliers to give customers 30 days advance notice of price rises, Hannah Mummery, energy expert for Consumer Focus, said: ‘People clearly need to be given fair warning if prices are going to go up, not told months [...]
Published: 27 April 2011
Challenging behaviours: making sustainable choices everyday choices Over 150 delegates from business, government, local and health authorities, and consumer groups came to our conference on 19 April to hear how people can be encouraged to change their behaviour to be more sustainable. Speakers used a variety of case studies to show how sustainable behaviour can [...]
Published: 21 April 2011
Welcoming Ofcom’s decision to publish details of complaints it receives, Robert Hammond, Head of Digital Communications at Consumer Focus said: ‘This is a good first step in helping customers make more rounded choices when deciding which provider to use. Giving people access to complaints data allows them to consider customer service and not just be [...]
Published: 20 April 2011
Oliver Morgans, financial services expert at Consumer Focus said: ‘This is a huge win for the millions of people mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI). It has taken years of the banks being dragged kicking and screaming, but they are finally being forced to do the right thing by their customers. ‘PPI is a clear example [...]
Published: 20 April 2011
Responding to the High Court ruling on the judicial review of the Digital Economy Act today, Robert Hammond, Head of Post and Digital Communications at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Although the judgment provides some clarification on preventing a disproportionate impact on internet access and who pays for copyright enforcement, disappointingly it fails to provide reassurance for [...]
Published: 20 April 2011
19 April 2011 Cavendish Conference Centre, London W1G 9DT Changing consumer behaviour is vital to achieving a sustainable society. Some sustainable behaviours, like recycling, have become mainstream, but more far reaching change is needed. Over 150 delegates from business, government, local and health authorities, and consumer groups came to our conference to hear how people [...]
Published: 19 April 2011
As a new international survey1 rates UK copyright law the third worst in the world, Consumer Focus and the Open Rights Group are calling for outdated UK copyright law to be made fair for consumers and help drive economic growth. The consequences of the failure to update copyright law are becoming ever more apparent and [...]
Published: 18 April 2011
A new report from Consumer Focus, ‘In Case of Emergency’, reveals that Before the Event Legal Expenses Insurance (BTE LEI) could play a bigger role in widening access to justice, but the current design and promotion of these products leaves them a long way short of the mark. Forty-three percent of people surveyed by the [...]
Published: 15 April 2011
Thursday 31 March 2011 Consumer Focus roundtable, Fleetbank House, Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8JX In anticipation of the creation of a new regulator for retail financial services, Consumer Focus organised a roundtable to take a view on product design in the financial services sector, considering how should the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and its successor body [...]
Published: 15 April 2011
Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy team, Consumer Focus Micro-businesses and energy – the protection gap
Published: 14 April 2011
Responding to the reopening of the Treasury Select Committee on the future of cheques, Sarah Brooks, Head of Financial Services at Consumer Focus, said: ‘It is very welcome that the committee are looking again at this issue given the concerns people have raised. Banning cheques could spell bad news for many who rely on them, [...]
Published: 13 April 2011
Welcoming the UK Government’s consumer empowerment strategy, Christine Farnish, Chair of Consumer Focus, said: ‘Empowered consumers are good for business and good for the economy. They get a better deal and can improve competition by rewarding good businesses and punishing bad ones. ‘We welcome these moves to enable consumers to make informed choices and magnify [...]
Published: 13 April 2011
Consumer Focus is warning that thousands of small businesses could be being hit by potentially crippling energy bills after being under-charged by their supplier for years at a time. New figures show that last year Consumer Direct’s helpline received 1,848 complaints from microbusinesses1 who got unexpected bills after their energy charges were underestimated, and the [...]
Published: 12 April 2011
Responding to the Law Commission’s proposals to clamp down on rip-off trading practices Philip Cullum, Deputy Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: ‘Unsuspecting consumers have been falling foul of dodgy dealers for far too long, due to a legal loophole on sharp selling practices. ‘Customers lose out on billions of pounds each year because of [...]
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 [...]
