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: 6 December 2011
Over 500 consumers are telling us what they think. Our expanding Scotland-wide panel of volunteers help us get right to the heart of the big consumer issues. Find out more…
Published: 6 December 2011
For over 25 years we have had a network of consumers telling us what they think of issues affecting consumers and acting as our eyes and ears across the country. In tough times for consumers, more and more consumers are now joining up and we are very pleased to say that we now have over [...]
Published: 1 December 2011
Consumer Focus Scotland welcomes Ofgem’s proposals 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 [...]
Published: 23 November 2011
Responding to the UK Government’s Annual Energy Statement, Andrew Faulk, energy expert at Consumer Focus Scotland said:“We will be looking closely at how these proposals are going to work for consumers, especially for those living in tenements in Scottish cities and rural areas with no access to mains gas. “Removing the up-front costs for installing [...]
Published: 16 November 2011
Responding to new internet access figures published by the Office for National Statistics, Annie McGovern, digital expert at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: “It’s welcome news that there has been a fall in the last few months, in the number of people in Scotland who have never used the internet. ‘The best deals are often online [...]
Published: 10 November 2011
Response from Consumer Focus Scotland to EDF Energy’s recent price rise which comes into effect today. EDF Energy announced on 15 September 2011 that they were increasing their prices by 15.4% for gas and 4.5% for electricity. Trisha McAuley, Deputy Director of Consumer Focus Scotland, Scotland’s independent consumer watchdog, said: “This will be a difficult [...]
Published: 9 November 2011
Consumer Focus Scotland is working in partnership with the Scottish Government to promote the Home Energy Scotland Hotline, to help consumers save money on their fuel bills. When it’s cold you lose heat from your head. And it’s the same with your house. Without enough insulation, you could be losing over 50% of your home’s [...]
Published: 1 November 2011
Responding to the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol today, Sarah O’Neill, Director of Policy at Consumer Focus Scotland said: “The quantity of alcohol consumers buy is influenced by price so, given the tragic consequences which alcohol abuse can have, it is only right that there is a minimum price for a [...]
Published: 31 October 2011
Responding to Ofgem’s £2m fine of npower for mishandling customer complaints, Trisha McAuley, Deputy Director at Consumer Focus Scotland said: ‘It is encouraging to see Ofgem willing to hammer home the point that unless energy companies start treating consumers fairly there will be a price to pay. ‘Dealing with complaints properly is the foundation of [...]
Published: 28 October 2011
Annie McGovern, Policy Manager at Consumer Focus Scotland said: “Many people don’t want valuable or private mail to be left with neighbours. And with many people in Edinburgh living in tenements, in reality it means people can have quite a large number of neighbours who they don’t necessarily know. “That’s probably why four out of [...]
Published: 21 October 2011
Responding to Scottish Power’s announcement today that it will be ending energy doorstep sales, Trisha McAuley, Deputy Director at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: ‘After Wednesday’s Energy Summit in Scotland, it is great news that Scottish Power has shown they have listened to consumer concerns about energy doorstep sales. “Sales on the doorstep don’t offer the [...]
Published: 20 October 2011
Responding to Ofcom proposals on regulation of the postal service, Sarah O’Neill, Director of Policy at Consumer Focus Scotland, said:‘This could be the biggest shake-up to the mail market that we have ever seen. We must ensure the right balance between putting Royal Mail on a stable footing and ensuring value and service for consumers [...]
Published: 20 October 2011
**INTEVIEWS / PHOTOS AVAILABLE AT ENERGY SUMMIT TODAY AT 13.30 – BATHGATE PARTNERSHIP CENTRE, LINDSAY HOUSE, SOUTH BRIDGE STREET, BATHGATE, EH48 1TS** Watchdog – ‘best prices’ and ‘winter tariff checks’ needed now Energy companies must act now – ahead of winter – to help customers get the cheapest tariffs, says Scotland’s consumer watchdog. Consumer Focus [...]
Published: 18 October 2011
Responding to the OFT’s study into the off-gas energy market and problems experienced by heating oil and other customers: Andrew Faulk, energy expert at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: ‘While competition may be working, in general customers are still clearly facing problems. It is welcome that the OFT has taken action on comparison sites and is [...]
Published: 17 October 2011
Ahead of the UK Energy Summit today, Trisha McAuley, Depute Director of Consumer Focus Scotland, said: ‘Cash-strapped consumers in Scotland are worried about energy costs but aren’t sure how best to save energy or where to get a better deal. They will expect to see some concrete proposals that will help them get the help [...]
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: 2 February 2012
Responding to Ofcom’s new research on UK broadband speeds, Adam Scorer, Director of Policy and External Affairs at Consumer Focus, said: ‘It’s good news that customers are getting faster broadband speeds. But there is still often a very clear gap between the maximum speeds advertised by suppliers and what people actually receive. People don’t expect [...]
Published: 1 February 2012
Following DECC confirmation of Government assurances that it will be voluntary rather than compulsory for households to have a smart energy meter fitted, Zoe McLeod, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: ‘It is welcome that the Government has clarified that customers have a choice over whether they have a smart meter or not. Smart meters have [...]
Published: 27 January 2012
This month: - Energy news - Post news - What consumers think of online public services - Downsides to digital - What’s new from Consumer Focus – our latest research - Behaviour change and CSR conference
Published: 27 January 2012
Responding to the announcement of the Financial Services Bill, Sarah Brooks, Director of Financial Services at Consumer Focus said: ‘This is a once in a generation opportunity to reform our financial regulation and it is vital we get it right. Consumers have been losing out for too long. It is important that the Bill ensures [...]
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 [...]
