Consumer Focus
Spark to give £250K to Citizens Advice after 'serious breaches'
An Ofgem investigation found that Spark Energy breached switching rules and complaints handling regulations
16 February 2015
Consumer Futures calls for Spark Energy probe
Consumer Futures has referred Spark Energy to Ofgem following large numbers of customer complaints
21 May 2013
Firms 'should be clearer on regular card payments'
Traders may not be making it clear to consumers that they're being signed up to a Continuous Payment Authority
12 December 2012
Basic bank accounts 'should have clear standards'
Open a basic bank account online, great if you've no access to current accounts, after comparing the best products with Money Saving Expert Today
2 November 2012
The rogues that ignore 'no cold callers' signs
Charities and political parties are the worst offenders at ignoring 'no cold callers' signs, according to a new poll
18 May 2012
Banks 'give bad advice' over card payment cancellations
Some bank staff wrongly tell customers that regular card payments can't be cancelled, says Consumer Focus
2 May 2012
Group switching 'could transform utilities'
Collective switching by consumers between utility firms could finally end poor deals and unresponsiveness from suppliers
2 May 2012
Citizens Advice to replace axed Consumer Focus
Citizens Advice is to be given an enlarged role under Government plans to shake up the consumer protection system
11 April 2012
MPs demand clampdown on debt products
Tougher action is needed to control debt management companies and payday lenders, a new report says
7 March 2012
Thousands could miss out on Warm Front energy scheme
Consumer Focus and National Energy Action fear a scheme to help the poorest households make their homes warmer won't benefit enough people
27 January 2012
Suggest a Story
Got a money-related news story that affects you?
26 September 2023
-
Martin: It's Meter Reading Week
His 9 energy need-to-knows
-
Martin's savers alert
After base rate freeze
-
Grab 1.5yrs' FREE family insurance
Travel, mobile & breakdown
-
FREE Greggs pizza slice & hot drink
Normally up to £4
-
14,000 Vax codes
Incl £400 cordless for £100
-
Mortgage rates are falling
Is now the time to fix?
-
Now FOUR banks pay you to switch
Up to a FREE £210
-
Read the full email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
-
E.on Next to cut winter bills by up to 50% for some customers on low incomes – here's what's happening
29 September 2023![]()
If you're an E.on Next customer, look out for a message from the firm offering you up to 50% off your bills this winter, as the supplier is launching a new support scheme. -
EDF Energy to cut bills for some by £30 this winter – Martin Lewis welcomes move but says 'it's not a game-changer'
29 September 2023![]()
EDF Energy will cut bills by £30 for some 260,000 of its customers who get the Government's Warm Home Discount this winter. -
Martin and MSE among organisations calling for energy social tariff as millions expected to struggle with bills this winter
29 September 2023![]()
The Government must urgently introduce an energy social tariff to prevent millions of households from falling into fuel poverty this winter, consumer organisations including MoneySavingExpert have said. -
Train strike refund rights as Northern, Southeastern, Thameslink and more set for week of disruption
28 September 2023![]()
Rail users in England, Scotland and Wales face disruption over the coming week as workers across multiple train operators, including Northern, Southeastern, Thameslink and more, take strike action and refuse to work overtime. -
Mortgage rates fall as Bank of England unexpectedly holds UK rates – so should you fix?
26 September 2023![]()
Interest rates on fixed mortgage deals have been edging down over the past few weeks with some five and 10-year fixes now at below 5%.
-
Martin Lewis: Is it time to ban unnecessary Christmas presents?
11 September 2023![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: Five things all new English university starters should know
4 September 2023![]()
The 2023 academic year is about to start, and it'll see the biggest shake-up to student finance in England for a decade. The changes are both subtle and massive. On the surface they look like a tweak, in practice they will increase the eventual cost of going to university by over 50% for many typical graduates.
Clever ways to calculate your finances
