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: 25 March 2010
Consumer Focus today published Regulating in the Consumer Interest (PDF 330 KB), a paper calling for a more incisive debate on how effective and efficient regulation can deliver greater value for consumers and the economy. A year on from the publication of Consumer Focus’ Rating Regulators report (PDF 813 KB), with plans for reforming Arms [...]
Published: 25 March 2010
Prashant Vaze, Chief Economist and Head of Fair Markets, Consumer Focus Driving energy efficiency in the home AISE / CECED EU Sustainability Week Conference
Published: 25 March 2010
Fairer deals needed for credit cards and overdrafts Consumer Focus has been pressing for reforms in the way credit card debts are repaid and we are pleased with elements of the Government’s new measures. Previously, if you have a credit card account, providers could pay off the least expensive debts first, rather than those with [...]
Published: 24 March 2010
Commenting on aspects of today’s Budget announcement, Philip Cullum, Deputy Chief Executive at Consumer Focus said: Basic bank accounts ‘Providing greater access to basic bank accounts is a welcome first step, but the Government needs to go further. Many people have lived without bank accounts for years – to encourage them into the world of [...]
Published: 23 March 2010
Andy Burrows, Consumer Focus public services expert said: ‘This is a welcome first step but far more needs to be done. People on low incomes won’t open bank accounts unless they are designed to meet their needs, and are offered in a supportive environment. Many people without bank accounts have had bad experiences in the [...]
Published: 22 March 2010
Consumer Focus welcomes the Government’s commitment to universal access in broadband and public service delivery online, but remains concerned about affordability issues. Linda Weatherhead, digital rights expert at Consumer Focus, said: “While we welcome the Government’s commitment to universal broadband access and public service delivery online, it’s easy to forget not everyone can afford the [...]
Published: 18 March 2010
Linda Weatherhead, policy expert at Consumer Focus said: ‘The Codes need to be both reflective of current trends and responsive to new developments. While they have gone some way to reflecting online developments, they have not dealt adequately with the buying and selling of personal information that is a feature of targeted advertising. ‘It is [...]
Published: 18 March 2010
Today’s announcement relies on the banking industry to fix the problems it has created. This settlement still leaves consumers vulnerable, with no firm commitments from banks. About a third of bank profits are made from charges levied on consumers when things go wrong [1]. Consumers may risk charges for being overdrawn even when this is [...]
Published: 17 March 2010
A major coalition of anti-poverty, energy, environmental and health campaigning organisations are today (Weds 17 March) launching a charter of measures needed to eradicate the scandal of fuel poverty1. The campaigners are calling for the UK Government and political parties to commit to making all fuel poor homes as energy efficient as a home built [...]
Published: 15 March 2010
Consumer Focus welcomes the Government announcement on measures to ensure that the most expensive debts on consumer’s credit cards are paid off first. This will put vital pounds back in to the pockets of consumers. However, the Government has not gone far enough to tackle unsolicited credit card limit increases. It should be for consumers [...]
Published: 12 March 2010
In response to today’s announcement by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Department for Work and Pensions of an agreement over data-sharing with suppliers to target assistance to low-income energy customers, Jonathan Stearn, energy expert for Consumer Focus, said: ‘Better targeting of assistance to low income households is the way forward in assisting [...]
Published: 11 March 2010
Audrey Gallacher, energy expert at Consumer Focus said: ‘The final cuts from the ‘Big 6’ will be welcome for Scottish Power and EDF customers, particularly as EDF also cut bills for many customers over the winter. ‘However, we are very disappointed Scottish Power hasn’t taken this opportunity to address its unfair penalties for customers paying [...]
Published: 11 March 2010
Consumers could save significant amounts of money* every year by switching to the best mobile package for their needs, new figures show today. Examples of case studies from Ofcom accredited comparison website BillMonitor show how much consumers could save. A new guide published today by Ofcom, Consumer Focus and the Communications Consumer Panel is designed [...]
Published: 10 March 2010
March 9, 2010 Dear Sirs, We regret that the House of Lords last week adopted amendment 120A to the Digital Economy Bill. This amendment not only significantly changes the injunctions procedure in the UK but will lead to an increase in Internet service providers blocking websites accused of illegally hosting copyrighted material without cases even reaching a judge. The amendment [...]
Published: 10 March 2010
Philip Cullum, Deputy Chief Executive, Consumer Focus Prospect seminar on economic regulation
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 [...]
