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Archive 2006

On this page you can find links to news releases from 2006. 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 2006

Education complaints system improving but further action needed - 12/12/06

Consumer watchdog welcomes regulation of estate agents - 15/11/06
The Scottish Consumer Council has welcomed the announcement in today’s Queen’s speech that a new bill will ensure greater regulation of estate agents throughout the UK, including Scotland. At present, while many estate agents are members of the National Association of Estate Agents or the Ombudsman for Estate Agents, which have codes of practice and complaints procedures, membership of both of these schemes is voluntary. The Bill will mean that in future all estate agents will be required to become members of an ombudsman scheme.

Decision by Young's Seafoods to transport seafood from Scotland for processing in Thailand - 15/11/06
Martyn Evans, Director of the Scottish Consumer Council said: " Many consumers will undoubtedly find the idea of shipping Scottish seafood halfway round the world for processing distasteful. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the goods they buy and companies need to take that into account when making decisions such as this."

Faster cheque clearing welcomed by Scottish Consumer Council
14/11/06
The Scottish Consumer has welcomed today’s announcement of improved cheque clearing arrangements and a new dedicated body to oversee the UK payments system.

Law Society U-turn on single survey
13/11/06
The Scottish Consumer Council (SCC) today expressed surprise at the apparent u-turn by the Law Society of Scotland on the matter of the single survey.

Consumer watchdog welcomes scheme to give public information about food inspections - 06/11/06

The Scottish Consumer Council welcomes the announcement by the Food Standards Agency of a pilot scheme to make hygiene inspection reports of food premises available to the public.

Regulations of Christmas savings schemes - Farepak Food and Gift - 18/10/06

SCC welcomes changes to consumer advocacy and redress - 17/10/06

Changes to health records will benefit patients - 28/08/06
NHS workers will be able to find patient medical details much more quickly, with the introduction of an Emergency Care Summary for every patient.

Scottish patients informed about their right to consent to health care and treatment - 10/08/06

New leaflets are launched today which aim to help people in Scotland make their own decisions about their healthcare and treatment.

(to view leaflets click here)

It is reported that the EU Media and IT commissioner (Viviane Reding) will announce tomorrow (12 July) watered down proposals for the regulation of international roaming charges - 11 July 2006

Martyn Evans, Director of the Scottish Consumer Council said:

"We are in favour of strong regulatory action in this market as consumers are being charged excessive amounts. We would want any action to come into force before next summer. We would approve intervention to cap wholesale roaming charges so long as there were clear targets set for retail price reduction as a result of capping wholesale prices".

Scottish Consumer Council Welcomes Justice 2 Committee Stage 1 Report On The Legal Profession And Legal Aid (Scotland) Bill - 30/06/06

“Put users at the heart of public service reform” says consumer watchdog. 21/06/06

Listening to consumers and improving consumer satisfaction should be at the heart of the Scottish Executive public service reform agenda, according to a report published today by the Scottish Consumer Council. The report’s publication coincides with a keynote address being made by Scotland’s Finance Minister Tom McCabe on the Scottish Executive’s ‘think piece’ on public sector reform1.

Supermarkets sweep the board in Scottish consumer poll 06/06/06

Supermarkets took the top three places in a new poll on consumer satisfaction with services. Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s came first, second and third respectively in the poll which asked consumers to rank companies that they used in terms of customer service and value for money. In fourth place was Telewest followed by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

Airline baggage charges - 28/05/06

Martyn Evans, Director of the Scottish Consumer Council said: "Fierce competition on flight prices among airlines appears to be making them look elsewhere for ways to make money. More restrictive baggage limits and more frequent penalty charges seem the latest target. Passengers need to be more aware of baggage limits - and the risk of penalty charges - when they choose who to fly with."

Scottish Power profits - 24/05/06
Martyn Evans, Director of the Scottish Consumer Council said: "It is good to see Scottish companies being successful. However, a balance needs to be struck between profits made by companies and the prices they charge to consumers. Many people who are struggling to pay the latest increase in fuel bills will be wondering why prices need to rise again when profits are so healthy."

Report on legal services “step in right direction” says Consumer Council - 03/05/06

The Scottish Consumer Council (SCC) has welcomed today’s publication of the Legal Services Markets Working Group, describing it as an “important step in the right direction.”

Joint councils' response to: strengthen and streamline consumer advocacy: dti consultation on consumer representation and redress - 02/05/06

The consumer councils - the National Consumer Council, Scottish Consumer Council and Welsh Consumer Council - strongly welcome the broad thrust of the proposals in the consultation document to reform consumer advice, redress and advocacy arrangements in the UK. We do however have some reservations about key details of the consultation document, which will need further thinking through. This includes a clearer assessment of resource implications.

DTI announces new SCC chair - 02/05/06

Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Alan Johnson today announced the appointment of a new chair of the Scottish Consumer Council.

Scottish Executive announcement of review of the civil justice system - 20/04/06
A spokesman for the Scottish Consumer Council (SCC) welcomed the move. "The civil justice system has served Scotland well for many, many years. However there have been increasing complaints in recent years that it is too slow, too expensive and too complex with the result that many people are put off using it. The SCC inquiry found a compelling case for a review of the system and we are delighted that is going to take place."

View Civil Justice Advisory Group report, and press release from November 2005.

Better information needed to help Scots exercise their health rights - report - summary - 11/04/06

Moving Home in Scotland: a guide to buying and selling your home - 05/04/06
Graeme Millar, chairman of the SCC said: "The privatisation of the directory inquiry service has given consumers more choice but at the price of much greater confusion. Consumers need to be provided with clear, comparative cost information between the different services so they know which service to use and how much it will cost them. There needs to be much greater transparancy than exists at the moment." - 29/03/06

SCC welcomes Ofcom's first steps in tackling junk food advertising to children - 28/03/06

Guidelines aim to stop inappropriate commercial activity in Scots schools - 22/03/06

Plan outlines how to make parents the driving force in Scots education - 28/02/06

Consumer Interest in Surgical Mortality - 06/02/06

Questions asked about the best way to tackle housing disrepair - 24/01/06

New parents’ guide to Additional Support for Learning Act launched - 17/01/06