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MSE News: Citizens Advice to replace axed Consumer Focus

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Former_MSE_Helen
Former_MSE_Helen Posts: 2,382 Forumite
in Consumer rights
This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"Citizens Advice is to be given an enlarged role under Government plans to shake up the consumer protection system"
Read the full story:
Citizens Advice to replace axed Consumer Focus


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Comments

  • poppy10_2
    poppy10_2 Posts: 6,588 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Good to see another pointless quango being shuttered. Consumer Focus did hardly anything to justify their existence, or the big salaries paid to its executives.
    poppy10
  • mo786uk
    mo786uk Posts: 1,379 Forumite
    poppy10 wrote: »
    Good to see another pointless quango being shuttered. Consumer Focus did hardly anything to justify their existence, or the big salaries paid to its executives.

    They were quite handy in the recent case where some companies were trying to get peopels addresses so they could invocie them for copyright infringement - CF was asked to represent consumers and put up a strong challenge.
  • short_bird
    short_bird Posts: 4,015 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    OK, that's all very well, but are the CAB going to get extra resources to work with? Does anyone know how much funding they have lost over the past few months?
    ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ David Lynch.
    "It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.” David Lynch.
  • mo786uk
    mo786uk Posts: 1,379 Forumite
    CAB took over Consumer Direct but they were specifically funded for this - but probably less than what CD had.

    CAB have thei own problems in that their local offices are facing funding shortages because they rely on donations and grants or whatnot.

    Presumably CAB will be giving more pbulic funding to carry out some of these sepcific functions - its all very messy.

    Meanwhile TS departments are facing huge cuts and are being expected to expand into cross border cases - so will be interesting to see how that pans out.
  • Crabman
    Crabman Posts: 9,942 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Why do they insist on using 0844 numbers? Their explanation makes little sense:

    http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice/why_we_use_084_numbers.htm

    They make 0300 numbers available (which in theory is great) yet have blocked those with landlines from using those, which defeats the point of the OfCOM consultation they refer to in the above link.

    0844 numbers are NOT inclusive and will cost a minimum of ~13p connection + 5p per minute.

    Is this behaviour appropriate for an organisation that is supposed to be assisting (and now representing) vulnerable and less affluent members of society?
  • Edwardia
    Edwardia Posts: 9,170 Forumite
    Bad idea. Our local CAB useless unfortunately.
  • mo786uk
    mo786uk Posts: 1,379 Forumite
    Most of this stuff announced today will be done by CAB 'central' rather than the beaureus you see on the high street
  • fatbelly
    fatbelly Posts: 22,979 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Cashback Cashier
    What's new here? This was announced 18 months ago.

    Consumer Focus watchdog to be axed in government cull of quangos
  • I_luv_cats
    I_luv_cats Posts: 14,453 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    The Citizens Advice consumer service took over responsibility for providing consumer advice and information from Consumer Direct on 1 April 2012.
    The Citizens Advice consumer service provides free, confidential and impartial advice on consumer issues. Visit www.adviceguide.org.uk or call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06.


    Why does MSE say WILL




    FinancialAdvice.JPG
    Citizens Advice will replace the taxpayer-funded Consumer Focus group under Government plans to shake up the consumer protection system.




    The proposals, which will come into force in England, Scotland and Wales, will "help streamline the consumer landscape" and provide "a powerful consumer voice", the Government claims.







    MSE is slipping, 10 days too late!!!
  • mo786uk
    mo786uk Posts: 1,379 Forumite
    Taking over from Consuemr Direct was a small part of this overall change was dealt with seperatley.

    The Consuemr Direct change came in this April but soem of the new changes announced today start next April.
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