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: 29 September 2011
On 26 October, Consumer Focus is hosting a discussion to bring together legislators, regulators, industry and consumer and third sector organisations to consider how the interests of consumers can be most effectively represented as we face up to these critical energy policy challenges.
Published: 28 September 2011
Commenting on the latest complaints figures issued by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), Adam Scorer, Director of External Affairs at Consumer Focus said: ‘Again it seems PPI is driving the rise in overall complaints. This issue continues to dog the financial sector and is a big test of its commitment to treating consumers fairly. All [...]
Published: 26 September 2011
This month:
- Our super-complaint on the cost of buying foreign currency
- An interview with our Chief Executive, Mike O’Connor, on the Government’s consumer landscape review
- Post news
- EDF Energy agrees to suspend doorstep sales
- An update on our energy event coming up in October
- New e-learning courses
- What’s new from Consumer Focus – our latest research and reports
- Energy tips
Published: 23 September 2011
Responding to reports today that three of the ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers would back a Competition Commission inquiry into the energy market, to help restore consumer confidence, Adam Scorer, Director of External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘The penny is starting to drop with energy firms that consumer mistrust of them is off the scale. [...]
Published: 21 September 2011
Commenting on the announcement that RBS customers will be able to make cash withdrawals at the post office, Adam Scorer, Director of External Affairs, at Consumer Focus, said: ‘This is very good news for consumers who want to do their everyday banking at the post office. ‘With nearly four in five bank customers now able [...]
Published: 21 September 2011
Consumer Focus has today issued a super-complaint to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) about the amount consumers pay for their holiday money. In 2009, UK travellers spent around £27 billion while holidaying abroad.1 The watchdog believes that a combination of complex charges and poor or misleading information means consumers are paying too much when [...]
Published: 20 September 2011
Responding to energy proposals made by Chris Huhne today, Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: ‘Hard-pressed consumers will welcome tougher action on energy firms. Consumers need the market to be more fair, to help those struggling in fuel poverty and to get to the root of why the energy market does not work [...]
Published: 19 September 2011
Responding to the announcement of a Consumer Bill of Rights, Christine Farnish, Chair of Consumer Focus, said: ‘A Consumer Bill of Rights would help streamline and modernise the current patchwork of consumer protection law, making things easier for consumers and businesses alike. ‘Well informed consumers make markets work better. This is good for consumers, good [...]
Published: 19 September 2011
Responding to Government proposals on the mutualisation of Post Office Ltd, Christine Farnish, Chair of Consumer Focus, said: ‘It is welcome that the Government is exploring this possibility. Most people value their local post office and the services they can access there, but sometimes feel let down by the queues, opening hours and customer service [...]
Published: 19 September 2011
We asked delegates at the Citizens Advice Conference in York on 14-15 September 2011 for their ideas on how to empower the most vulnerable consumers.
Published: 15 September 2011
Responding to EDF Energy’s price rise of 15.4% for gas and 4.5% for electricity announced today, Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: ‘As the last of the Big Six to put up prices, EDF Energy’s announcement today will take the average energy bill to almost £1300. This not unexpected news means more consumers [...]
Published: 15 September 2011
New research released today by Consumer Focus 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 – [...]
Published: 13 September 2011
Responding to npower signing up to Which?’s ‘No selling, just installing’ smart meter promise, Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘It’s good to see npower stepping up to the mark to give their customers extra reassurance over smart meters. People often feel pressured to buy when sold to in their own homes, so [...]
Published: 13 September 2011
Responding to Ofcom’s ban on rollover contracts announced today, Adam Scorer, Director of External affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘A rollover ban is extremely welcome for consumers. Rollover contracts can be confusing and penalise customers. Many people have been unknowingly rolled over into another contract. This has left them unfairly tied into a contract which [...]
Published: 12 September 2011
Consumer Focus is calling for people to get in touch through a new survey to share their good and bad experiences of producing solar and wind power at their home as worrying reports of mis-selling have already been reported to the industry accreditation scheme. The Government has created incentives for households to get involved in [...]
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 [...]
