Household Bills
One call to Consumer Direct could save you hundreds
A recent customer survey has shown that over half the callers to Consumer Direct who successfully resolve their complaint save more than £100 per person.
Consumers and businesses could get more out of the Internet
The rapid growth of Internet shopping is a success story that benefits both consumers and businesses across a range of markets, but that both could do more to make the most of the opportunities it provides, according to a report by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
Britain’s biggest bill? UK digital switchover to cost consumers £2.2bn
As the countdown to the digital switchover gathers pace, nearly half (46%) of UK consumers remain blissfully unaware that their home video recorder will not work in the same way once they have ‘gone digital’, reveals independent comparison and switching service uSwitch.com.
Online guide provides top tips for making payments abroad
APACS, the UK payments association, and ABTA, the travel association, have published a consumer advice guide - Payments abroad - giving UK consumers advice on how to make their trip overseas safer and easier.
British Gas announces regional price cuts
British Gas has announced price cuts to its standard tariff for customers in the ‘Scottish Power’ and ‘Scottish Power/Manweb’ regions. The energy supplier has made the adjustment in light of Scottish Power’s price cut which comes into effect on 15 June 2007.
Elderly inflation rate 36% above headline rate
While the official rate of headline inflation fell back to 2.5% in May, an independent study reveals that the inflation rate facing the over-75s is 36% higher.
UK retail sales growth remains firm
Underlying growth in retail sales volume remained firm, buoyed by an increase in monthly sales volume in May, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Inflation rate falls to 2.5% in May
Consumer price inflation (CPI) was 2.5 per cent in May, down from 2.8 per cent in April, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Energy billing problems
Energy supplier British Gas has been criticised by Energywatch after 45,000 customers were told that their direct debits were mistakenly cancelled in February.
Virgin Media’s helpline goes ‘premium rate’
From 1 July 2007, Virgin Media’s broadband helpline will change from a local rate ‘0845’ number to an ‘09’ number costing at least 25p per minute plus a 10p connection charge.
People not on cheapest energy deals being advertised by suppliers
People are being urged to check the small print after new research reveals that only one in eight of customers are actually on the cheapest energy deals being advertised by suppliers.
NCC welcomes call for rethink on post office closure plans
The National Consumer Council (NCC) welcomes the Trade and Industry Select Committee’s announcement today that it will publish a further report seeking substantive answers on aspects of Post Office closure plans.
Benefits of insurance for your mobile phone rings true
With more mobiles than people in the UK and 800,000 thefts per year, it is surprising how complacent Britons are about insuring their phone.
3 has already abolished roaming charges on sister networks
Cuts in European roaming call charges have come too late for the 18 million UK holidaymakers heading to Europe this Summer.
moneysupermarket.com: "rubber-stamping" of EU roaming charges regulation
The “rubber-stamping” of the EU Regulation will, from this summer, result in a cap on mobile roaming charges. The charges will then be reduced further in 2008 and again in 2009.