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: 10 November 2010
Responding to the High Court granting BT and Talk Talk permission to judicially review the Digital Economy Act, Robert Hammond, Head of Post and Digital Communications at Consumer Focus, said: ‘This decision will mean that the Digital Economy Act is subjected to some much needed extra scrutiny. These laws will have a big impact on [...]
Published: 9 November 2010
In response to the Financial Services Authority’s new ‘Know Your Rights’ booklet for banking customers, Sarah Brooks, head of financial services at Consumer Focus said: ‘Guides like this are helpful, but it is a shame that financial products and services are now so complex that 20 page booklets are needed for consumers to navigate a [...]
Published: 9 November 2010
Consumer Focus welcomes the Government’s commitment to making changes to help the post office network survive in the long-term. However the consumer watchdog is warning that there are potential risks in the implementation of these changes. Andy Burrows, post expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘We welcome the Government’s commitment to improve the Post Office network [...]
Published: 9 November 2010
In response to EDF Energy’s announcement that it will be keeping standard gas and electricity prices at their current levels this winter, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘EDF Energy’s customers will be reassured that the company has committed to freezing prices this winter, particularly given Scottish and Southern Energy’s recent price [...]
Published: 8 November 2010
Responding to Postcomm’s final consultation on Royal Mail price rises, Robert Hammond, head of Post and Digital Communication at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Many customers will be extremely disappointed that stamp prices are likely to rise by ten percent next year, particularly as prices have already risen by double the rate of inflation in the last [...]
Published: 8 November 2010
A major new piece of research from Postcomm and Consumer Focus, published today, has surveyed the needs of postal customers and tested their views on potential changes to the postal service. The research is being published against the backdrop of the Postal Services Bill which proposes major reforms to Royal Mail, and a general view [...]
Published: 4 November 2010
Responding to the announcement today by the Prime Minster of the copyright and intellectual property review, Robert Hammond, Head of Post and Digital Communications at Consumer Focus, said: “Consumers will be pleased to see that the Government is committed to reviewing the UK’s out of date copyright laws. We have long made the case for [...]
Published: 4 November 2010
Responding to the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) review of barriers to entry in retail banking, Sarah Brooks, head of financial services at Consumer Focus said: ‘The OFT states that consumers staying with their banks acts as a brake on increasing competition. We found that just seven per cent of people switched current account in [...]
Published: 2 November 2010
Consumers must be the winners from game-changing Green Deal Responding to Chris Huhne’s comments on the Government’s ‘Green Deal’ – which aims to make energy efficiency affordable and accessible for homeowners – Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘The Government’s Green Deal is a total game-changer in how householders can make their [...]
Published: 2 November 2010
Responding to Ofcom’s threat of further enforcement action against Talk Talk and Tiscali UK, Robert Hammond, head of digital and telecoms at Consumer Focus said: ‘It is shocking that it has taken the intervention of the regulator for Talk Talk and Tiscali UK to play fair with their customers. How hard can it be to [...]
Published: 1 November 2010
In response to Scottish and Southern’s increase in gas prices, Audrey Gallacher, head of energy at Consumer Focus said: ‘Scottish and Southern’s (SSE)1 announcement of an increase in gas prices at the start of winter is the last thing its customers need. We are worried that this could be the start of some serious bad [...]
Published: 30 October 2010
Consumer Focus has today published details of how it will ensure that its work affecting consumers in Wales is available in the language people want – Welsh or English. The consumer watchdog’s Welsh Language Scheme demonstrates its commitment to ensuring all consumers can take advantage of its work. Consumer Focus recognises that many consumers in [...]
Published: 28 October 2010
The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) has announced that Christine Farnish will be the Interim Chair of Consumer Focus. Christine will take up the role when current Chair, Lord Whitty retires in December 2010. She has been a Consumer Focus Board member since January 2008 and also chairs its Audit and Risk Committee. [...]
Published: 27 October 2010
Business as usual This month the Government announced that it has decided to transfer at least some of our functions to Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland. We will work closely with these bodies to try and make sure that our functions are transferred in a way which maintains consumer protection and ensures that there [...]
Published: 27 October 2010
Responding to the announcement on funding for Post Office Limited, Mike O’Connor CBE, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: “Government support for our Post Office network is very welcome but its long term future can only be secured if post offices provide the services consumers need at a high standard in places people can access. [...]
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 [...]
