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: 28 May 2010
Fed up consumers who say no to receiving cold calls have today won assurances from energy firms that they will no longer be bothered on the doorstep. Following lengthy campaigning by energy watchdog Consumer Focus and the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) the Big Six energy companies have said they are now committed to respecting the [...]
Published: 27 May 2010
Huge response in support of cash ISA super-complaint Consumer Focus has received an overwhelming response from the public since we launched a super-complaint about the cash individual savings account (ISA) market. In March we issued the complaint to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). We estimate that 15 million cash ISA holders could be losing [...]
Published: 26 May 2010
UK consumers are sitting on an estimated 85 million old mobile phones that could make money if they sold them, according to new research by Consumer Focus. The survey, conducted by ICM for the consumer watchdog, found that almost seven out of ten mobile phone users (68%) have at least one or more old phones, [...]
Published: 25 May 2010
Consumer Focus and the Open Rights Group are today warning that new online copyright laws could see consumers picking up an unfair cost for enforcing the powers. Laws emerging from the recently passed Digital Economy Act could mean that internet services providers (ISPs) have to pick up a substantial part of the cost of notifying [...]
Published: 25 May 2010
In response to the Queen’s Speech earlier today, Philip Cullum, Deputy Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: Postal Services Bill “Whatever its ownership structure, Royal Mail must meet the needs of consumers in 21st century Britain. The Bill must help Royal Mail balance modernising the business with delivering a world class universal service for its [...]
Published: 25 May 2010
Prashant Vaze, Chief Economist and Head of Fair Markets, Consumer Focus Individuals, community and the nation – reducing emissions Community Energy Saving Workshop, Trafford Hall
Published: 24 May 2010
In response to the coalition Government agreement published today, Mike O’Connor CBE Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: “There is some good news for consumers on much needed changes in the energy, postal and banking markets, where customers face major problems. However there are blanks that the Government must fill in to ensure that customers’ [...]
Published: 19 May 2010
With the last of the Big Six announcing very healthy annual profits today1, whilst only small consumer price cuts have been made this year despite falls in wholesale costs, Consumer Focus is calling on energy companies to prove that customers are paying a fair price for their energy. Figures from the industry regulator Ofgem have [...]
Published: 12 May 2010
Consumer Focus is highlighting that small firms who qualify as ‘micro-businesses’ could make big savings by taking advantage of new rules on energy contracts.
Around one million UK micro-businesses could potentially benefit from reforms introduced by Ofgem this year.
Published: 20 April 2010
Saskia Walzel, Policy Advocate, Consumer Focus 300 years of British copyright Consumer International 2010 global meeting on A2K – Access to Knowledge
Published: 1 April 2010
Nick Hutton, telecoms expert at Consumer Focus said: “Consumer Focus has called on Ofcom to reduce mobile termination rates as far and as fast as reasonably possible. We are pleased Ofcom has chosen to set out this significant reduction up to 2015 in a clear and predictable way, providing certainty for both consumers and industry. [...]
Published: 31 March 2010
Commenting on today’s announcement on Pay TV, Philip Cullum, Deputy Chief Executive, Consumer Focus, said, ‘This has been a mammoth review by Ofcom, and the regulator’s determination to put the consumer first deserves much praise. Sky has transformed millions of viewers’ experience of sport, but there are also real concerns about whether it has now [...]
Published: 31 March 2010
Consumer Focus is today submitting a super-complaint to the OFT about the £158 billion cash ISA market. The consumer champion estimates that 15 million cash ISA holders could be losing out in interest worth up to £3 billion a year because of the way the market operates¹. The complaint is being made under the terms [...]
Published: 29 March 2010
This announcement means that millions of households will have the chance to experience some of the benefits of smart meters sooner than expected. But while new technology can bring real benefits there are also new risks. Protections around how companies use new customer data and disconnect and switch consumers are not yet in place. The [...]
Published: 29 March 2010
Commenting on today’s announcement on post office banking, Andy Burrows, Consumer Focus postal expert said, ‘Today’s announcement could change the way that millions of people bank. It could put banking services back into communities, and offer a genuine alternative for low income customers left behind or turned off by mainstream banks. ‘Consumer Focus research shows [...]
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 [...]
