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: 26 February 2011
The private rented sector generates more complaints than almost any other. According to a new report issued today by Consumer Focus, the consumer watchdog, one of the biggest issues is that private renters often know very little about their landlords before signing a tenancy agreement. Today the watchdog has written to some of the largest [...]
Published: 24 February 2011
In response to Centrica’s profits announcement, Mike O’Connor CBE, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: ‘We need successful energy companies but consumers may look at today’s profits and at recent prices rises and question how one justifies the other. ‘The issue is not about one company or one year’s profit or loss but it is [...]
Published: 23 February 2011
Consumer Focus is calling for the Government to consider how it could extend its energy bill discount scheme to more fuel poor households and give greater consistency to its approach to fuel poverty.1 A new report from the watchdog2 argues that the Government’s ‘Warm Home Discount’ plans may miss the opportunity to help 1.5 million [...]
Published: 23 February 2011
Welcoming Which?’s report into Cash ISAs, Sarah Brooks, head of financial services at Consumer Focus said: ‘Our super-complaint about cash ISAs showed that consumers were getting a raw deal because of failings in bank procedures. A third of adults have cash ISAs which are meant to be straight-forward savings accounts. Banks seem to be making [...]
Published: 19 February 2011
Three quarters of customers with a grievance against their bank make a complaint, but fewer than half of those who complain (47 per cent) are happy with the response they receive, according to new Consumer Focus research.1 The banking industry attracted more than 1.25 million complaints in the first half of 2010 alone2. The consumer [...]
Published: 14 February 2011
Consumer Focus Labs, the online arm of watchdog Consumer Focus, has extended its StayPrivate.org website to allow businesses to sign up to reduce junk faxes and cold calls. Almost 30,000 consumers have signed up to StayPrivate.org since last summer. The site provides a free and easy way of opting out of receiving junk mail and [...]
Published: 11 February 2011
In response to profit predictions for banks by City analysts today Sarah Brooks, Head of Financial Services at Consumer Focus, said: ‘These profit predictions suggest most GB banks are back on track for their shareholders, but they’ve got a lot to do to get back on track with their customers. The quality of competition in [...]
Published: 11 February 2011
Giving full support to the Which? super-complaint against credit and debit card surcharges, Prashant Vaze, head of fair markets at Consumer Focus said: ‘Consumers are fed up with paying these surcharges. Often they have no other option, especially for internet transactions where there is no alternative to using cards. The worst offenders even ask for [...]
Published: 7 February 2011
In response to the package of consumer protection measures around smart meters announced today by Ofgem, Zoe McLeod, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘It is very welcome that Ofgem is proposing measures to protect consumers against being remotely disconnected or their supply switched and their energy supply limited. These are essential steps to stop [...]
Published: 4 February 2011
Commenting on the new parcel delivery service, Collect +, being launched today, Andy Burrows, postal expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Consumers will welcome this extra choice in how they send and receive their parcels. More competition in postal services should mean a better service and lower prices for customers. However, Collect + will need to [...]
Published: 3 February 2011
Responding to EDF Energy’s price rises of 7.5% for electricity and 6.5% for gas, Audrey Gallacher, Head of energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘EDF Energy’s customers will be hugely disappointed that the supplier has chosen to up its prices as soon as possible after its price freeze ends. Consumers will be further annoyed that this [...]
Published: 3 February 2011
Philip Cullum, Deputy Chief Executive, Consumer Focus Bridging the gap The Law Society 3 February 2011
Published: 2 February 2011
Roger Darlington, Board member, Consumer Focus Westminster eForum seminar on postal services Overseas House, London
Published: 31 January 2011
Responding to the announcement by the Department for Communities and Local Government that households will receive tailored advice on making their homes more energy efficient, Audrey Gallacher, head of energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Every house is different so it is good news that consumers will get better tailored advice on what would make their [...]
Published: 28 January 2011
We want your views There is still time to give us your comments and feedback on our suggested plans for Consumer Focus’s work in 2011/12. Our draft Annual Plan is full of things that we could be working on over the next year, and we want your help deciding which ones are the most important. [...]
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 [...]
