News

Post Office Locals need to improve if consumers are to get full benefits says report

Published: 7 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.

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Consumer Focus Wales News

Post Office Locals need to improve if consumers are to get full benefits says report

Published: 7 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.

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Have your say on Food Hygiene Bill

Published: 2 February 2012

Consumer Focus Wales is calling on consumers to back their campaign to make changes to food law in Wales.

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Greater protection needed from rogue park home site owners

Published: 1 February 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.

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Energy market is major switch off for Welsh Consumers

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.

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Workplan 2011-2013

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.

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Response to Welsh Government’s Food Hygiene Rating (Wales) Bill consultation.

Published: 14 December 2011

Maria Battle, Senior Director at Consumer Focus Wales, said: ‘Consumer Focus Wales has long argued that Wales can and should lead the way in the UK when it comes to food safety and now the opportunity has arrived. The consultation presents a great opportunity for the people of Wales to voice any concerns they have [...]

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DELIVERY TO NEIGHBOURS – ROYAL MAIL TRIALS NEW DELIVERY PROCESS

Published: 28 November 2011

Royal Mail is starting trials today in the SA postcode area of South West Wales (Monday 28 November) to leave post with a neighbour if people aren’t home and the package is too big for their letterbox. The trial covers more than 80,000 addresses and runs until 25 February 2012. The postman or woman will [...]

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Welsh consumers want easy access to food hygiene reports

Published: 17 November 2011

More than 90 per cent of people in Wales think consumers should have easy access to inspection reports which show why food businesses have received a rating. Consumer Focus Wales research shows the majority (85 per cent) of those surveyed also think they should be able to do this via the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme [...]

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As fears rise over affording energy bills, new campaign launches to ‘plug the debt’

Published: 16 November 2011

Consumer Focus and Citizens Advice are launching a new drive to help people understand what to do and what their rights are if they fall behind on their energy bills. The organisations are launching the awareness campaign as they are concerned that the number of people in debt to their energy firm and needing help [...]

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Schools poster will help young people stay warm this winter

Published: 3 November 2011

A bilingual poster highlighting ways children and young people can keep warm this winter is being distributed to schools across Wales. The posters, produced by Consumer Focus Wales and Children in Wales, feature ten tips drawn up by young people for young people.

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Consumer Focus News

E.ON’s announcement of improvements to its Direct Debit policy

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 [...]

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Faster broadband must be followed up with honest advertising

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 [...]

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Government assurances on voluntary smart meter roll-out

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 [...]

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January e-newsletter: The latest energy news, the lowdown on online public services and more

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

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Financial Services Bill announcement

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 [...]

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Consumer Focus Scotland News

Faster broadband must be followed up with honest advertising

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 [...]

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Consumer watchdog response to the Scottish Government’s digital action plan

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 [...]

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Consumers in Scotland yet to be convinced on Green Deal

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 [...]

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Consumer watchdog response to post office 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 [...]

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Response from Scotland’s water watchdog, Consumer Focus Scotland about Scottish Water announcing water charges

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 [...]

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Consumer Focus Post (Northern Ireland) News

Post office improvements must be delivered

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 [...]

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Consumer Focus Post response to post office deal

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 [...]

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Yule save money if you plan ahead on Christmas post

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: [...]

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Consumer Focus Post’s response to calls for Northern Ireland online car tax renewals.

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 [...]

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Consumer Focus Post’s response to Ofcom’s proposals on regulation of the postal service

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 [...]

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