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: 9 December 2011
Responding to the House of Common’s decision to challenge the European Commission’s proposal for a common European Sales Law, Jill Johnstone, Director of International Policy Advocacy said: ‘We’re pleased that the House of Commons has taken on board our and Which?’s concerns around a Common European Sales Law. The European Commission’s proposals could potentially offer [...]
Published: 9 December 2011
The most recent energy complaints information compiled by Consumer Focus shows an almost universal rise in complaints about energy suppliers in the last quarter, at the same time as energy price rises were announced and started to take effect.1 The figures from July to September 2011 show an increase in complaints to five of the [...]
Published: 8 December 2011
Consumer Focus is today warning that changes made by major banks to basic bank accounts could push more consumers out of the banking system. The warning comes as Barclays is making changes to its basic bank account. This will see a tripling in the maximum daily charge for missed direct debit payments if there are [...]
Published: 7 December 2011
Richard Bates, Director of Consumer Empowerment Programme, speaks at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skill’s Buy It Together conference on Wednesday 7 December.
Published: 7 December 2011
In response to the findings of the research issued by R3 today looking at debt and short-term lending, Sarah Brooks, Director of Financial Services at Consumer Focus said: ‘These are hard times and in the run up to Christmas, many will be tempted by a payday loan despite APRs of over 1,000%. Considering this is [...]
Published: 7 December 2011
A new study from Consumer Focus shows how engaging with local communities and local authorities in a planned way can ensure consumers do not lose out when post office services change. Insight into how a rural county like Devon dealt with the loss of post offices during the closure programme in 2007 is timely. A [...]
Published: 5 December 2011
Consumer Focus has published a new consumer checklist for energy customers entitled ‘staying connected’. It is a guide containing the key information that energy consumers need to know about their energy supply. It has information about your rights as an energy customer, the level of service you should expect, how to switch supplier and get [...]
Published: 3 December 2011
Consumer Focus is calling for people to think about posting cards and presents and ordering online Christmas shopping earlier this year. The call comes as the consumer watchdog highlights that if people posted all their Christmas cards by first class rather than second class it would add an extra £75 million onto the cost of [...]
Published: 1 December 2011
Consumer Focus welcomes Ofgem’s proposals energy to reset the rules for energy companies. In particular the consumer watchdog welcomes the proposal to require energy tariffs to be simple and easily comparable. Consumer Focus wrote to Ofgem in December 2010 and again last month outlining the ways in which energy companies confuse and mislead consumers with complex [...]
Published: 28 November 2011
Royal Mail is rolling out trials in selected areas today (Monday 28 November) to leave post with a neighbour if people aren’t home and the package is too big for their letterbox. The trial covers nearly 750,000 addresses and runs until 25 February 2012. The postman or woman will choose a neighbour and ask if [...]
Published: 24 November 2011
Welcoming OVO Energy’s decision to cancel its scheduled price rises in January, Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus said: ‘This is a good sign and it throws down a gauntlet to the Big Six. Wholesale prices have been falling recently, and all suppliers should be looking at whether that provides an opportunity to [...]
Published: 24 November 2011
This month:
• A new campaign to help consumers manage energy debt
• ScottishPower ends doorstep sales
• Young people leaving care and their experience of public services
• Our public service satisfaction index
• The big pocket guide to behaviour change
• What’s new from Consumer Focus – our latest research and reports
Published: 24 November 2011
Responding to the announcement that British Gas and other energy suppliers will simplify energy tariffs, Adam Scorer, Consumer Focus Director of Policy & External Affairs said: ‘The penny has dropped. We welcome the news that energy companies recognise that the ways in which they have constructed and sold tariffs has confused, antagonised and alienated consumers. [...]
Published: 23 November 2011
Responding to the Government’s Annual Energy Statement, Audrey Gallacher, Consumer Focus Director of Energy, said: ‘If the Government gets this right, it has the potential to transform millions of homes. The key test is for Government to engage people thoroughly and makes sure they have full confidence in the changes ahead. ‘We welcome the plans [...]
Published: 21 November 2011
Responding to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and HM Treasury measures to improve consumer credit , Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said, ‘The Government is giving the industry more time to get its act in order. Unfortunately the history of the credit market and financial services shows that self-regulation rarely works. [...]
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 [...]
