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: 11 April 2011
Commenting on the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) interim report, Mike O’Connor CBE, chief executive of Consumer Focus said: ‘We welcome the ICB findings but want to see action to create more and better competition and appropriate regulation. It is also vital that the new regulatory system has the tools and culture to create an [...]
Published: 9 April 2011
There is an urgent need to tackle rogue parking companies operating on private land, say Citizens Advice and Consumer Focus today. The consumer bodies are concerned that government plans to ban clamping and towing, while essential, will not be enough to curb rogue practices. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales saw 16,840 new problems [...]
Published: 6 April 2011
In response to the launch of the Energy Best Deal online campaign by Ofgem and Citizens Advice, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘With energy just one of many rising household bills, customers will be keen to save extra pounds but may not know the best way to cut their costs. ‘Switching [...]
Published: 5 April 2011
Consumer Focus is urging consumers to set their alarm clocks for April 2012 to make sure they switch their cash ISAs to the best-rates available. Many of the attractive ‘teaser rates’ of up to 3.5% offered by banks expire after one year and fall as low as 0.5%. Consumer Focus research shows almost a quarter [...]
Published: 2 April 2011
Responding to the Treasury Committee report on competition and choice in retail banking, Sarah Brooks, Head of Financial Services at Consumer Focus, said: ‘The Treasury Committee has recognised what consumers have long known. The banking sector is not sufficiently competitive and is failing many of its customers. Today’s report echoes our own research1 which shows this [...]
Published: 1 April 2011
A report published today by Consumer Focus highlights people’s experiences of the new Post Office Local (PO Local) scheme which could see around 2,000 traditional sub-post offices replaced.1 The report ‘Local but limited?’ argues that while the PO Local model offers benefits, significant changes are still needed to make sure it works for customers and [...]
Published: 31 March 2011
In response to Ofcom’s announcement on BT wholesale landline and broadband prices Adam Scorer, Director of External Affairs for Consumer Focus, said: ‘At a time when every penny counts for consumers, this move could see much needed extra pounds shaved off the cost of landline and broadband for people across the UK. Customers will obviously [...]
Published: 30 March 2011
In response to the smart meter decision document published today by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Zoe McLeod, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘We welcome this announcement today. This shows the UK Government is heading in the right direction on smart meter protection, but there is still some way to go. [...]
Published: 30 March 2011
In response to the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA) industry complaints data published today, Oliver Morgans, financial services expert at Consumer Focus said: ‘These figures show a double whammy on customer complaints about the banking industry. Not only have total complaints risen to almost 1.8 million, upheld complaint levels have increased too.1 Nearly ten thousand complaints [...]
Published: 28 March 2011
In response to Ofgem’s requirement coming into effect for energy suppliers to give customers 30 days advance notice of price rises, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘If people are going to pay more for their energy, clearly they need to know in advance, not as much as two months later. This [...]
Published: 28 March 2011
New research by Consumer Focus shows that two-thirds of people who opened a cash ISA with a ‘teaser’ interest rate are likely to be losing out by failing to switch once the higher introductory interest rate runs out.1 The consumer watchdog is raising concerns because in a market 15 million customers use, worth £172 billion, [...]
Published: 21 March 2011
Consumer Focus welcomes Ofgem’s conclusion that the energy market needs radical reform if consumers are to get a fair deal. These proposals, and the looming threat of a Competition Commission referral if they are not carried out, show that Ofgem has decided that energy companies cannot be guided to a better market, they need to [...]
Published: 18 March 2011
Commenting on Ofgem’s announcement of its new RIIO price review regime, Consumer Focus energy expert, Richard Hall, said, ‘This review concerns the way in which consumers will pay for £30bn of investment in energy networks over the next decade and how Ofgem will ensure that they get good value for money and high quality, reliable [...]
Published: 18 March 2011
Some of the smallest businesses are losing out on the best energy deals because of the ways some brokers1 work when they negotiate contracts with energy suppliers, new Consumer Focus research, Watching the middlemen shows. The problems micro-businesses2 face are compounded by a ‘protection gap’ with confusion about who takes lead responsibility – Ofgem or [...]
Published: 18 March 2011
Learning lessons from private and public markets on how choice-tools can be provided – OFT and Cabinet Office roundtable 14 March 2011 Remarks by Philip Cullum, Deputy Chief Executive, Consumer Focus
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 [...]
