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: 27 July 2011
Responding to Ofgem’s £2.5 million fine of British Gas for failures on customer complaints handling, Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said:
‘Ofgem’s action against British Gas is welcome. Frustrating the attempts of customers to get complaints sorted out is unacceptable. It adds to the lack of trust in energy companies and it denies British Gas important insight into customer service problems.
Published: 27 July 2011
Responding to Ofcom’s new research into broadband speeds, Adam Scorer, Director of External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Consumers often pay extra for faster broadband and if they are paying a premium price they rightly expect a premium product. It is worrying that the gap between advertised and actual speeds has grown. This is something [...]
Published: 26 July 2011
In response to Vince Cable’s call for greater competition in retail banking, Sarah Brooks, Director of Financial Services at Consumer Focus said: ‘Vince Cable is right to highlight competition as a weak link in our retail banking market. Consumers have been getting a raw deal from banks for too long. Banks think they can take [...]
Published: 26 July 2011
The last year has been a tumultuous one for consumers. Consumer Focus’s Annual Report shows how the consumer watchdog has made a difference for all consumers during a period of challenge and change. Consumer Focus estimates that it has helped to recover around £500 million for consumers since it was established in 2008. Consumer Focus [...]
Published: 25 July 2011
Responding to the Energy and Climate Change Committee’s report on Ofgem’s Retail Market Review, Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: ‘This is a broadside from MPs on whether consumers can trust energy companies to sell fairly, especially on the doorstep. Cold calling on the doorstep should end now. Organised confusion, pressured selling, misleading [...]
Published: 23 July 2011
Consumer Focus is calling on the energy industry to end cold-call doorstep sales. The call comes as new research from the watchdog shows that more than nine out of ten people who have bought energy products on the door would never do so again and only 4% of people are positive about energy door step [...]
Published: 21 July 2011
Responding to the announcement of the first Government grants to fund renewable heat measures for households, Liz Laine, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘This is a welcome step from Government to help consumers living without access to a gas supply, who rely on expensive and polluting heating fuels. It is also good news that [...]
Published: 21 July 2011
Responding to SSE’s price rise of 18 per cent for gas and11 per cent for electricity announced today, Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said: ‘Knowing another price rise was round the corner will not soften its impact for customers. This increase heaps more pressure onto already cash-strapped consumers and will tip many thousands [...]
Published: 20 July 2011
This month:
- Ofgem’s overhaul of the retail energy market
- New fuel poverty figures
- Highlights from our ‘The future for energy consumers’ event
- A snapshot of the ‘Customer life in Britain’ survey results
- 60-second interview with Gemma Bowen on EHICs and being search-engine savvy
- What’s new from Consumer Focus – our latest research and reports
Published: 20 July 2011
A report published today by Consumer Focus highlights serious problems in the Individual Personal Pensions (IPP) market. The watchdog has written to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) asking that further action be taken to tackle consumer detriment in this market, and to the Pensions Minister asking that Government review their policy of ‘no transfers’ into [...]
Published: 19 July 2011
In response to the Government’s announcement of research into a cap on high cost credit, Marie Burton, financial services expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Hard-pressed consumers can end up in financial difficulties by taking out loans they can’t afford. Better protection is needed to stop consumers falling into a debt trap. ‘Looking into a cap [...]
Published: 17 July 2011
In this update: The end of the road; Energy consumers’ experiences with doorstep sellers Have your clients had problems with ‘time of use’ energy tariffs? (e.g. Economy 7, economy 10, dynamic teleswitching) Empowering and Protecting Consumers Changes to SSE’s assistance for low income and vulnerable households ——————————————————————————– End of the road for cold-call energy doorstep [...]
Published: 14 July 2011
Responding to a new report by the Post Bank Coalition, Andy Burrows, Head Of Post Offices & Essential Community Services at Consumer Focus, said: ‘A Post Bank could offer consumers a triple bonus. It could help put banking services back into the heart of communities where local banks have closed and offer a trusted alternative. [...]
Published: 14 July 2011
In response to the OFT opening investigations into websites that charge people for government services that are available at no cost or for a lower fee, Gemma Bowen, Head of Consumer Focus Investigations, said: ‘This is a welcome move by the OFT following our research. Consumer Focus’ work in this area has found many examples [...]
Published: 14 July 2011
Responding to new official fuel poverty figures and estimates published today, Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said: ‘Fuel poverty levels are set to soar as energy price hikes and the cost of investment in making our energy supply more secure and sustainable kick in. Increasing energy costs create hardship for millions of [...]
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 [...]
