Published: 2 February 2012
Responding to Ofcom’s new research on UK broadband speeds, Adam Scorer, Director of Policy and External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘It’s good news that customers are getting faster broadband speeds. But there is still often a very clear gap between the maximum speeds advertised by suppliers and what people actually receive. People don’t expect [...]
Published: 25 August 2010
Consumer Focus Post, the Northern Ireland arm of UK watchdog Consumer Focus, is calling on Royal Mail to be more transparent about the performance of First Class mail delivery between Britain and Northern Ireland. It must also make sure the service meets the UK-wide standard for 93% of first class mail to be delivered the [...]
Published: 20 August 2010
Keeping the plates spinning Consumer Focus’s new report Keeping the plates spinning looks at the payday loan market in the UK and the experiences of payday loan users. The report estimates that the number of payday loan borrowers in the UK has risen from 0.3 million in 2006 to 1.2 million in 2009. Our in-depth qualitative [...]
Published: 14 August 2010
The number of people taking out expensive payday loans has quadrupled over the last four years, a new report by Consumer Focus highlights. The consumer champion warns that banks need to offer affordable short-term loans as alternatives, as well as recommending stronger safeguards to protect consumers from spiralling payday loan debts. In its study – [...]
Published: 9 August 2010
Responding to the publication of the first report by the Regulatory Policy Committee, Mike O’Connor CBE, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: “Good regulation plays an important role in protecting vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers, while ensuring markets work better for everyone. Consumers pay the price when businesses are hit by poor and unnecessary regulation. The [...]
Published: 5 August 2010
Following an announcement from a company who say they intend to provide free solar panels to 100,000 households, Consumer Focus and the Centre for Sustainable Energy are warning consumers to investigate the details of such schemes to avoid future problems. The service offered by companies providing free solar panels is a legitimate business model which [...]
Published: 5 August 2010
Responding to the Government’s announcement of a package of measures to support the drive to cut government interference and red tape, Mike O’Connor CBE, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: “Rather than tying businesses up in red tape, regulation should help steer them towards providing better goods and services for consumers. Regulation can help protect [...]
Published: 4 August 2010
Commenting on today’s announcement by Ofcom on Pay TV movie markets, Mike O’Connor CBE, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said, “Consumers benefit from truly competitive markets and, although Sky has enabled millions of viewers to watch the newest films on demand, there are concerns that its power in the Pay TV market limits competition. We [...]
Published: 28 July 2010
Consumer Focus has published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2009/10 which details its work to get a fair deal for consumers. As the year began the consumer champion was calling energy suppliers to account with research showing that a failure to pass on cuts in wholesale energy prices was costing customers £1.6bn. Consumer Focus [...]
Published: 28 July 2010
Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy Policy at Consumer Focus, said: “Millions of customers struggled to afford high energy prices over one of the coldest winters in recent years and for British Gas and other companies the result is massive returns. Such huge supplier profits will sound alarm bells, yet again, over wholesale price cuts not [...]
Published: 27 July 2010
In response to the Government’s first annual energy statement which outlines action on energy and climate change policy, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy Policy at Consumer Focus, said: “The Government is taking welcome steps to ensure the UK has a secure, lower carbon, energy supply. Measures to help customers, such as using smart meters to [...]
Published: 27 July 2010
Responding to the smart meter prospectus issued jointly by the Department for Energy and Climate Change and Ofgem today, Zoe McLeod, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: “The measures proposed today are a major step forward for energy customers. We are delighted that the Government and Ofgem have made such smart moves in response to [...]
Published: 27 July 2010
Responding to Ofcom research into UK broadband speeds, Robert Hammond, Head of Post and Digital Communications at Consumer Focus, said: “If consumers pay for a Ferrari-style internet service, they should not get push bike speeds. Broadband users should get what they pay for. The Advertising Standards Authority should take a tough approach to broadband providers [...]
Published: 26 July 2010
In response to Ofgem’s package of reforms on network price controls announced today, Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy Policy at Consumer Focus, said: “We are pleased with the regulator’s moves to put consumers’ needs at the heart of performance incentives and punishments. This will help to peg back the price increases needed to pay for [...]
Published: 22 July 2010
Responding to Ofcom’s announcement of plans to make it easier for phone and broadband users to take their unresolved complaints to a free independent resolution service, Nick Hutton, telecoms expert at Consumer Focus, said: “Each year, millions of customers experience problems resolving their complaints about phone and broadband services. Making it easier for consumers to [...]
Published: 21 July 2010
Cutting back, cutting down, cutting off Our new report Cutting back, cutting down, cutting off is the biggest ever study of prepayment meter (PPM) energy customers. It shows that around one in six pre-pay households, or up to 1.4 million people, are living in homes that have cut off their own energy supply in the [...]
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: 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: 14 December 2011
Maria Battle, Senior Director at Consumer Focus Wales, said: ‘Consumer Focus Wales has long argued that Wales can and should lead the way in the UK when it comes to food safety and now the opportunity has arrived. The consultation presents a great opportunity for the people of Wales to voice any concerns they have [...]
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 [...]
Published: 14 September 2011
New research released today by Consumer Focus1 shows that people are unconvinced and unimpressed by Royal Mail proposals to leave post with a neighbour if they are not home. With the high level of consumer concern – and one in five people unhappy for any of their neighbours to receive any of their post – [...]
