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: 4 October 2010
Speaking in advance of Wednesday’s Scottish Parliament debate on the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill at Stage 3, Marieke Dwarshuis, Director of Consumer Focus Scotland, said: “Throughout the Parliament’s consideration of this Bill, the arguments in favour of widening choice and protection for users of legal services and increasing access to justice have often been overshadowed [...]
Published: 1 October 2010
Responding to the Justice Secretary’s announcement that a Scottish tribunals service will be established on 1st December, initially bringing together administrative support for five of Scotland’s tribunals, Sarah O’Neill, Head of Policy and Solicitor at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: “This announcement is a welcome first step towards making Scotland’s tribunals system more efficient and user-friendly. Tribunals are a crucial [...]
Published: 1 October 2010
Responding to the Scottish Government’s publication of the Interim Review of the Home Report, Sarah O’Neill, Consumer Focus Scotland’s Head of Policy, said: “We are pleased that this wide-ranging and thorough review of Home Reports has found that most homebuyers think they are of value and that they are bringing the benefits for consumers that we envisaged they would. However, [...]
Published: 22 September 2010
Responding to today’s announcement by Ofgem of the launch of Project TransmiT, an independent review of charges for using Britain’s gas and electricity grids, Trisha McAuley, Head of Services and Advocacy at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: “This review is welcome but it will be critical that it has the consumer interest at its heart. Any change [...]
Published: 15 September 2010
A health resource providing essential information and advice to carers was one of the winners at this year’s BMA patient information awards ceremony. Health Rights Information Scotland’s Caring and Consent publication about the rights of carers and those they care for won in the information for carers category, while the multilingual DVD and web-based resource [...]
Published: 2 September 2010
Consumer Focus Scotland is today calling on all broadband providers to follow the lead of Virgin Media by agreeing to publish details of the typical average speed customers receive each month.1 In response to new figures showing consumers are confused and frustrated by misleading broadband advertising, Douglas White, telecoms expert at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: [...]
Published: 2 September 2010
Welcoming today’s announcement by Ofgem of an investigation into doorstep and telephone energy sales practices by four of the ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers, Trisha McAuley, energy expert at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: ‘This is a welcome step by Ofgem to address years of customers getting a bad deal on energy prices on their doorstep. ‘Complaints [...]
Published: 16 August 2010
Consumer Focus Scotland annual review is now available to download by clicking here.
Published: 6 August 2010
A major new Consumer Focus Scotland report, Turning up the Heat, Benchmarking Fuel Poverty in Scotland, says that a step change is needed now at Scottish and UK level if targets to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016 have any chance of being achieved. Scottish Government figures estimate that the number of Scottish households living in [...]
Published: 30 July 2010
Lord Coulsfield’s expert group on reforming Scotland’s civil justice system has launched a consultation to debate some of the key proposals of Lord Gill’s Scottish civil courts review report and determine the best way forward. The Civil Justice Advisory Group (CJAG), which was re-convened in January under the leadership of retired judge the Right Honourable [...]
Published: 29 July 2010
Responding to the final report of Scotland’s Independent Budget Review Panel, Marieke Dwarshuis, Director, Consumer Focus Scotland, said: “The options outlined in the budget review panel’s report have far reaching implications for users of public services in Scotland. At the same time as budgets tighten and services are reduced, consumer demand and need for public [...]
Published: 27 July 2010
Responding to the smart meter prospectus issued jointly by the Department for Energy and Climate Change and Ofgem today, Trisha McAuley, energy expert at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: “The measures proposed today are a major step forward for energy customers. We are delighted that the UK Government has made such smart moves in response to [...]
Published: 22 July 2010
Responding to Ofcom’s announcement of plans to make it easier for phone and broadband users to take their unresolved complaints to a free independent resolution service, Trisha McAuley, telecoms expert at Consumer Focus Scotland, said: “Each year, millions of customers experience problems resolving their complaints about phone and broadband services. Making it easier for consumers [...]
Published: 12 July 2010
More direct communication between parcel operators and consumers and increased use of alternative delivery points, are key to improving consumers’ experience of parcel deliveries, postal watchdog Consumer Focus Scotland argues in a new report. The recommendations to parcel operators are made in Parcel Deliveries: Current Practice and Possible Solutions published this week by the consumer [...]
Published: 1 July 2010
But lost mail and queuing are key consumer concerns The most comprehensive independent survey ever conducted into the views and experiences of postal service users in Scotland has revealed that mail services and post offices are meeting their needs on many different levels. Scottish Postal Services: Consumer Survey 2010, was commissioned by Consumer Focus Scotland [...]
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 [...]
