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: 24 November 2010
Responding to the announcement that online is set to become the default channel for dealing with a number of UK Government services, Sarah O’Neill, Head of Policy at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: ‘This is a real chance to get back to the drawing board on how public services are delivered online. It would be a [...]
Published: 23 November 2010
Consumer Focus Scotland is urging people to make sure they post their cards and presents in time to beat the festive post rush. Consumer Focus Scotland’s top five Christmas post tips are: 1) Post your item as early as possible to ensure it is delivered before Christmas 1 – check the last postal dates and [...]
Published: 19 November 2010
In response to price rises of 2% on gas and 8.9% on electricity announced by Scottish Power today, Marieke Dwarshuis, Director of Consumer Focus Scotland, said: ‘Consumers will watch with dismay as another energy firm joins in the rush to hike prices. This latest round of price rises will further increase the distrust that consumers [...]
Published: 18 November 2010
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) wants shoppers to remember their consumer rights when buying Christmas presents this year. BIS conducted research as part of the ‘Know Your Consumer Rights’ campaign with Consumer Focus, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and Consumer Direct. The research showed that many are still uncertain of their [...]
Published: 17 November 2010
A report on the generation of power at home using renewable energy sources, known as microgeneration, argues that if the barriers consumers currently face to generating their own power at home are removed, it can lead to the production of cheaper, greener energy, and also reduce fuel poverty. The Consumer Focus Scotland report, Power at [...]
Published: 12 November 2010
Consumer Focus Scotland have reacted with dismay to the announcement by British Gas today of average price rises of 7% for both gas and electricity. The announcement comes just one day after Consumer Focus Scotland launched its Energy Best Deal Scotland campaign to help consumers secure the best deal on their energy bills. Trisha McAuley, Deputy Director of Consumer Focus Scotland, said: [...]
Published: 12 November 2010
Responding to the publication of the Scottish Government’s response to the civil courts review, Sarah O’Neill, Head of Policy and Solicitor at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: “We welcome the publication of the Scottish Government’s response to the civil courts review, and look forward to considering its content in detail. Clearly since the review’s report was published, [...]
Published: 11 November 2010
New Consumer Focus Scotland campaign launched to target best energy deal Nearly half of all Scots (48 per cent) have never switched their energy supplier and could be missing out on big savings according to a survey published today[1] (Thursday 11 November 2010) by Consumer Focus Scotland. That means that around a million households in [...]
Published: 9 November 2010
Consumer Focus Scotland welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to making changes to help the post office network survive in the long-term. However the consumer watchdog is warning that there are potential risks in the implementation of these changes. Douglas White, post expert at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: ‘We welcome the UK Government’s commitment to improve [...]
Published: 5 November 2010
Consumer Focus Scotland has published two new information leaflets on domestic energy supply for tenants and landlords. Sort your supply: gas and electricity supply – advice for tenants, covers everything a new tenant needs to think about when they begin their tenancy. It includes finding out who their supplier is, taking meter readings and checking [...]
Published: 29 October 2010
In response to Scottish and Southern Energy’s increase in gas prices, Trisha McAuley, Deputy Director at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: ‘Scottish and Southern’s (SSE) announcement of an increase in gas prices at the start of winter is the last thing its customers need. We are worried that this could be the start of some serious [...]
Published: 19 October 2010
Dear colleague, I am writing to you in the light of the announcement last week that the UK Government has decided to transfer Consumer Focus’ functions to Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland. Subject to the approval of the UK Parliament, it is proposed that the work of Consumer Focus Scotland will transfer to Citizens [...]
Published: 14 October 2010
Responding to the announcement by the UK Government today, Douglas Sinclair, Chair of Consumer Focus Scotland, said: ‘Consumer Focus, and Consumer Focus Scotland have achieved a huge amount for consumers. In the last few months alone Consumer Focus has obtained a £70 million pound energy bill refund for consumers across the UK and in Scotland [...]
Published: 13 October 2010
In response to today’s Postal Services Bill, Sarah O’Neill, head of policy at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: ‘Consumers need this Bill to be about much more than getting Royal Mail out of its structural predicament. The issues it faces are critical and need to be resolved. But, preserving Royal Mail is not an end in [...]
Published: 6 October 2010
Responding to the passage of the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill by the Scottish Parliament today, Marieke Dwarshuis, Director of Consumer Focus Scotland, said: ‘We are delighted that Parliament has voted in favour of widening choice and protection for users of legal services and increasing access to justice. We have long argued that these changes are [...]
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 [...]
