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: 24 October 2010
Public call for police to improve standard of customer service At a time when the coalition Government plans to make police more accountable to the communities they serve, research issued by Consumer Focus, shows how far the police need to go to improve their reputation for being open and approachable with local people. The consumer [...]
Published: 22 October 2010
Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive, Consumer Focus. Presentation to the European Retail Seminar
Published: 19 October 2010
Oliver Morgans, Senior Policy Advocate, Consumer Focus Policy drivers in credit Presentation to the Responsible Credit Conference
Published: 16 October 2010
A new report from Consumer Focus warns that the Small Claims Court process is letting consumers down because people are confused by the process and big businesses are clogging up the system, causing off-putting delays. Worryingly, the new research highlights that six out of ten people who have a potential claim do not even consider [...]
Published: 14 October 2010
Responding to the announcement by Government today, Mike O’Connor CBE, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: ‘Consumer Focus has achieved big wins for consumers in just two years – including a £70 million pound energy bill refund and cash ISA reforms saving over £15 million a year. We’ve delivered our biggest results in the last [...]
Published: 14 October 2010
Consumer Focus is calling for a clear government strategy to deal with the extent of fuel poverty following official figures, released today, which indicate that 4 million households in England are unable to keep their homes warm. The consumer watchdog says this is a stark reminder that concentrated action by the energy industry and Government [...]
Published: 13 October 2010
In response to today’s Postal Services Bill, Robert Hammond, head of post at Consumer Focus said: ‘Consumers need this Bill to be about much more than getting Royal Mail out of its structural predicament. The issues it faces are critical and need to be resolved. But, preserving Royal Mail is not an end in itself. [...]
Published: 10 October 2010
Saskia Walzel, Policy Advocate, Consumer Focus Copyright – the consumer perspective Training Course in Copyright and Related Rights
Published: 9 October 2010
Three-quarters of consumers have never even considered switching their current account to another bank, according to new research by Consumer Focus1. A further 17 per cent (equating to more than eight million people2) said they had thought about switching but had not done so. Fear of costs when things go wrong, the hassle involved and fear [...]
Published: 7 October 2010
Responding to Ofcom’s announcement on the future of superfast broadband in the UK, Robert Hammond, Head of Digital Communications at Consumer Focus, said: “Boosting competition in the market for superfast broadband is key to driving down prices and getting a better deal for consumers, so today’s news is welcome. However, in many remote and rural [...]
Published: 4 October 2010
Richard Hall, energy expert at Consumer Focus said: ‘Funding network improvements is just one of a cocktail of costs energy customers are being asked to foot the bill for.1 While moves to make our energy supply more secure and efficient are essential, the costs involved are huge. Ofgem needs to be vigilant so that customers [...]
Published: 1 October 2010
Consumer Focus, the consumer watchdog, welcomes npower’s announcement today (Fri 1 Oct) to refund customers who overpaid for gas in 2007. Consumer Focus has worked with npower to achieve the right outcome for its customers. In 2007 npower changed the way it applied its charges for the first block of higher-priced gas units which households [...]
Published: 30 September 2010
Audrey Gallacher, head of energy policy at Consumer Focus, said: “Ensuring energy customers get advance notice of prices rises is something we have long called on Ofgem to do and it is a welcome move for consumers. If people’s energy bills are going to go up, of course they should be told in advance, not [...]
Published: 24 September 2010
Responding to Which? research into energy tariffs, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy Policy at Consumer Focus, said: “The array of energy tariffs is just mindboggling for consumers trying to get the best deal. Suppliers are increasingly luring people in with eye-catching special offers that may not last. Worryingly, suppliers are also locking people into longer [...]
Published: 24 September 2010
Responding to the Independent Banking Commission’s publication of its discussion paper outlining the issues it will look into, Philip Cullum, Deputy Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: “After years of being on the receiving end of banks’ poor service and high charges, consumers will welcome this independent review. Banks have been taking customers for granted [...]
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 [...]
