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: 23 September 2010
Prashant Vaze, Head of Fair Markets and Chief Economist, Consumer Focus Involving the consumer watchdog in the regulatory process
Published: 22 September 2010
Robert Hammond, Head of Post at Consumer Focus said: “Customers want to see a high performing and up-to-date Royal Mail service, which meets their needs today and in the future. There needs to be clarity about how the future of the postal service can be safeguarded but decisions should not be made without a thorough [...]
Published: 22 September 2010
Consumer Focus work We are about to enter our third full year in operation. We are busier than ever and we wanted to let you know what is coming up over the next few months. You can visit our website for more details. As usual we will be issuing our draft 2011/12 work programme for [...]
Published: 21 September 2010
Audrey Gallacher, head of energy policy at Consumer Focus, said: “Getting energy suppliers to give consumers more warning of price rises is something we’ve called on Ofgem to do and this announcement is a step in the right direction. However, there is no justification for price hikes this winter. “If people are going to pay [...]
Published: 17 September 2010
Welcoming proposals from Friends of the Earth to boost energy efficiency in the private rented sector, Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: “Many people on the lowest incomes are in private rented accommodation, living in homes that are cold and leaking heat, which is bad for their health, bad for their pockets and [...]
Published: 14 September 2010
Responding to the Government’s announcement today detailing how new laws under the Digital Economy Act will be paid for, Robert Hammond, Head of Post and Digital Communications at Consumer Focus, said: “Consumers should not be picking up the tab for the enforcement of copyright laws that will benefit the music industry to the tune of [...]
Published: 14 September 2010
The volume of complaints referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service shows scant evidence of improvement in the way many financial institutions respond to complaints from their customers, according to Consumer Focus. The response comes as the Financial Ombudsman Service publishes the third set of six-monthly complaints data relating to banks, insurance companies and investment firms. Mike [...]
Published: 13 September 2010
Responding to the publication of Richard Hooper’s updated review into the future of Royal Mail, Robert Hammond, Head of Post and Digital Communications at Consumer Focus said: “Whatever the future holds for Royal Mail, our primary concern is that it protects consumers’ interests. It must maintain the Universal Service Obligation and strengthen the Post Office [...]
Published: 10 September 2010
Responding to new research and proposals from Ofcom on switching telecoms provider, Robert Hammond, Head of Post and Digital Communications at Consumer Focus, said: “It is worrying that so many consumers think switching their broadband or phone line is not worth the trouble. Making switching easier can boost competition among providers and bring down prices [...]
Published: 9 September 2010
New rural post offices set up in shops, community centres and mobile vans are in danger of closing because of a lack of support from Post Office Limited, Consumer Focus warns today. In its latest tracking report of outreach post offices, called ‘Sink or Swim?’, the consumer champion says many risk closure unless Post Office [...]
Published: 7 September 2010
Organised criminals are found to be operating across UK selling illegal meter credit Energy companies and Consumer Focus, the consumer watchdog, are warning that an estimated 85,000 households have been affected by a doorstep scam which seems to offer cheaper electricity meter top-ups but just ends up with consumers paying twice. Today, Tuesday 7 September, [...]
Published: 3 September 2010
Commenting on figures from O2 showing that broadband customers are spending an estimated £700m a year on broadband speeds they do not need, Robert Hammond, Head of Post and Digital Communications at Consumer Focus, said: “These figures are adding insult to injury for broadband customers. Not only are people paying for internet speeds they do [...]
Published: 2 September 2010
Welcoming today’s announcement by Ofgem of an investigation into doorstep and telephone energy sales practices by four of the ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘This is a welcome step by Ofgem to address years of customers getting a bad deal on energy prices on their doorstep. ‘Complaints [...]
Published: 2 September 2010
Consumer Focus is today calling on all broadband providers to follow the lead of Virgin Media by agreeing to publish details of the typical average speed customers receive each month.1 In response to new figures showing consumers are confused and frustrated by misleading broadband advertising, Robert Hammond, Head of Post and Digital Communications at Consumer [...]
Published: 31 August 2010
In response to the price increase announced by EDF Energy today, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: “Any rise in bills will obviously be a big disappointment to those customers already struggling to afford expensive prices. We would urge any customer affected to shop around to make sure they find the best [...]
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 [...]
