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Archive 2005

On this page you can find links to news releases from 2005. They are archived as pdf files in chronological order with the most recent first.

You can use the search function on the bottom left hand side of the page if you are looking for a specific release or releases in a specific topic.

Archived news releases 2005

School bus system needs to improve says Scotland-wide survey - 06/12/05

Scots need to be better informed about NHS plans for electronic health records - 15/11/05

Office of Fair Trading are considering a complaint from online retailers about alleged dual pricing by electrical manufacturers, including Sony. They are said to have increased wholesale prices to online retailers 10-15% above what is being offered to High Street stores - 15/11/05

Graeme Millar said: " This appears to be nothing more than price rigging. Any system that penalises online retailers will push upprices and is bad for consumers. We support an investigation into the complaint from online dealers. Meanwhile, people should continue to shop around on the High Street and the Internet for the best deals."

Report from the Clydesdale Bank that Scots will spent £420 million this year on Christmas presents for children - 15/11/05

Graeme Millar, Chairman of the SCC said: "The amount spent on presents at Christmas is staggering. Unfortunately, there will be people who will overstretch themselves with the result they will be saddled with debts for months to come. It is important that people in such a situation exercise caution and make sure they can pay back any money they spend over the coming weeks."

Major review needed into civil justice system in Scotland - 02/11/05

Change to BA pricing system - 13/10/05

Graeme Millar, chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council said: " This is a sensible move that will be welcomed by airline users. Most of what we buy has one price rather than being broken down into different elements. It is about time the airline industry joined the rest of the world in doing the same."

SCC welcomes plans for once-in-a-generation shake up in UK

consumer protection regime

October 2005

The Scottish Consumer Council has issued a warning about proposals that could lead to the removal of public phone boxes from many parts of the country.
October 2005

Burst water pipes - 03/10/05
Graeme Millar, chairman of the SCC said: " Scotland has an ageing water supply system and burst pipes are inevitable. However, we are pouring money down the drain if these are not fixed as soon as possible. Scottish Water has an investment programme to modernise our water supply. It is vital that Scottish Water delivers on this programme if Scottish consumers are to get value for money."

Increasing costs of fuel - 05/09/05
Graeme Millar, chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council said: "Consumers will undoubtedly be concerned about the increasing price of fuel. Car drivers are feeling the pain at the moment but there is little doubt that rising oil costs will work their way through to other prices over time. "There also has to be concern that prices tend to go up at the pumps faster than, perhaps, they need to. Oil companies need to explain why they are posting enormous profits at a time when consumers are having to pay record prices for fuel."

Beef labelling - 25/08/05

Graeme Millar, chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council said: "It is clearly misleading to use a brand like Aberdeen Angus to sell beef that could come from South America. Consumers shouldn't have to search food labels to find out exactly what it is they are eating. Supermarkets and other retailers have a duty to be clear about what it is they are selling."

Protests by farmers at the price they receive from milk processors/supermarkets for milk - 18/08/05

Graeme Millar, chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council said: " Many consumers are likely to be surprised to find that only around a third of what they pay for milk goes back to the farms that produce it. Farmers deserve a better deal and milk processors should get together with retailers and the farmers to decide how this should best be done - without passing on any increased cost to consumers. "It is in the interests of consumers that the marketplace works. If farmers are forced out of business we may have to import milk and the price is likely to increase. No one want to see that happen."

Glasgow council to put food hygiene reports on the web - 17/08/05
Graeme Millar, chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council said: "We applaud this initiative from Glasgow City Council in providing information to consumers about hygiene standards in food premises. We called for just this sort of action in a report last year and we hope other local authorities follow Glasgow's lead.

"We also want to see information provided directly to consumers in food premises themselves. The SCC is working with the Food Standards Agency, local authorities and others, including representatives of the food and hospitality industries, to agree a common approach on how this can best be done."

Statement regarding BP announcement of £6 billion profit - 27/07/05

Graeme Millar, chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council said: "BP should be embarrased at this level of profit at a time when oil prices are at their highest round the world. Motorists are paying the penalty at the pumps while oil companies and their shareholders reap the benefits. There needs to be a greater balance between the interests of companies and those of their customers when prices of commodities like oli increase."

Court of Session judgement on action under the Enterprise Act - 29/06/05

Graeme Millar, chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council said: "This sends out a clear message to traders that they can face legal action if they try to pass off sub-standard work on the public. It is a terrific judgement for consumers and we are delighted that the Scottish courts have acted so decisively on these new powers. It means that the consumer police - organisations like the OFT and Trading Standards - can now act with greater force to protect the public. Home maintenance work is now one of the biggest sources of consumer complaints. Today's judgement strikes a blow for the public against shoddy work and poor service."

Scottish Consumer Council looks forward to promises on water charges being delivered
June 2005

Repayment threat on over paid Family Tax Credits - 03/06/05
Graeme Millar, chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council said: " People who get tax credits are generally in a position of need and are probably least able to make repayments. There is a real danger that this could push some families further into debt and we would urge a rethink on this matter to ensure that already low income families are not further disadvantaged."

Scots not plugging into internet access, says SCC
June 2005

Action needed to break down language barriers in Scotland

May 2005

High Court ruling in favour of the OFT in a case against the clothing chain the Officers Club - 26/05/05

"This is a good judgement for consumers. Marketing strategies that involve making misleading claims about prices are trying to fool shoppers into thinking they are getting a bargain when that is not the case at all. We hope this acts as a warning to other retailers not to act in a similar way."

Stronger voice demanded for parents in education system
May 2005

Confusion among solicitors as to the definition of a "fixed price" property - 25/04/05

Graeme Millar chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council said: "Fixed prices should mean exactly what they say. They should be the price at which the property is to be sold and anything other than that is acting against the interests of buyers. We would welcome the Law Society of Scotland issuing clear guidance to solicitors to prevent any confusion."

Complaints from the public about taxi services - 15/04/05
Graeme Millar, chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council said: " Taxis provide an important public transport service and it is worrying that so many consumers are getting a poor level of service. Taxi firms are required to meet standards on things like charges, vehicle safety and driver education. However we are concerned that these standards are not enforced uniformly across Scotland. Better enforcement will ensure that standards are improved and the public are ptoected against poor levels of service."

Tougher measures needed to protect consumers during changeover if UK signs up to the euro

March 2005

SCC urges crackdown on creeping ATM charges

March 2005

Job losses and branch closures at the Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks

March 2005

Call for improved consumer information on food products

March 2005

Price differences between flying on holiday from Scotland and England

March 2005

Lack of protection highlighted for Scots buying new built houses
March 2005

Improvements needed on access to NHS services for disabled people
March 2005