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: 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: 21 July 2010
Supporting the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) campaign against rogue doorstep traders, Philip Cullum, deputy chief executive at Consumer Focus said: “Being in your own home doesn’t mean you’re safe from unscrupulous salesmen. Persuasive crooks can make it hard for people to turn down what might sound like a great deal. That’s why Consumer Focus [...]
Published: 16 July 2010
Responding to the Prime Minister’s ‘Big Society’ speech today, Mike O’Connor, CBE, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus said: “The Big Society initiative has at its heart the kernel of a great idea – putting people at the heart of the services that matter to them. Consumers will clearly want to work with services in very [...]
Published: 16 July 2010
New report finds: 1.4m people living in homes that cut off their energy supply Half of households disconnecting include someone with an illness or disability Two in five are home to children under 16 Consumer Focus is today calling on energy suppliers to transform the experience of the 8.8m people who rely on pre-pay meters. [...]
Published: 15 July 2010
In response to the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt’s, speech today at a Broadband Delivery UK conference, Jillian Pitt, digital expert at Consumer Focus said: ‘We welcome such a high-level commitment from the Government to ensure that broadband reaches rural and remote areas and that everyone can reap the [...]
Published: 14 July 2010
Jonathan Stearn, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘It is of considerable concern that the poorest in our society, particularly those in the private rented sector, live in dangerously cold homes. This is an action call to the Government – it must make sure help reaches those who need it most. Energy efficiency schemes must [...]
Published: 14 July 2010
Linda Weatherhead, financial services expert at Consumer Focus said: ‘The review is a golden opportunity to swing the balance back in favour of the consumer, who has been losing out for too long. Reform of the credit industry is needed to ensure customers are getting products and services that are both fit for purpose and [...]
Published: 13 July 2010
Audrey Gallacher, Head of Energy Policy at Consumer Focus, said: “Fuel poverty is leaving millions of pensioners, families and disabled people fighting a daily battle to make ends meet. The number of people affected is shockingly high and is only likely to increase as energy bills rise in the next decade. “It is essential that [...]
Published: 13 July 2010
Nigel Woods, postal expert at Consumer Focus said: ‘By extending opening hours, Royal Mail has delivered a really welcome piece of news for its customers. Shopping online and irregular working patterns are features of modern life, so people need greater flexibility when it comes to receiving mail. ‘Royal Mail must continue to look at other [...]
Published: 10 July 2010
Philip Cullum, Deputy Chief Executive, Consumer Focus Presentation to the Legal services consumer panel
Published: 7 July 2010
More than 10,000 people have signed up to a website which helps consumers reduce unwanted junk mail and cold calling, in less than a month. Consumer Focus Labs, the online arm of watchdog Consumer Focus, launched StayPrivate.org to provide an easy way of opting out of receiving junk mail and sales calls by simplifying the [...]
Published: 6 July 2010
Prashant Vaze, Chief Economist, Consumer Focus Consumers in a recession Consumer Action Network
Published: 1 July 2010
Consumer Focus is pleased Ofgem has taken action to tackle price gaps and on clearer information on bills but energy firms still have a long way to go in giving a fair deal to all their customers. News that Ofgem are demanding explanations from two suppliers who may be overcharging is very welcome. The consumer [...]
Published: 30 June 2010
Consumer Focus welcomes the fact that extra homes will be insulated under CERT. However, it is disappointing that the announcement today has not seen an increase in targets to help low income households become more energy efficient through the CERT scheme and Warm Front.1 Commenting on today’s announcement on Government plans to boost home insulation [...]
Published: 30 June 2010
Shoppers looking for cheap deals in the summer sales can avoid bargain hunting misery by arming themselves with their consumer rights, Consumer Focus warns today. As shoppers flock to the sales in search of a sizzling bargain, the consumer champion is publishing its five top tips to help people avoid a wash-out at the tills [...]
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 [...]
