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Here, you will find the latest news releases from the Consumer Council. If you can't find what you're looking for, use the search function below or contact the Press Office on 028 9067 4807/4813/4816

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• Water Consumers Continue To Have Their Say
  1 February 2012

  Water consumers continue to have their say as the Consumer Council’s new report shows. The report “Tapping into Consumer Views on Water – Update Report” looks at the services delivered by Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) and how these have been improved by implementing consumers’ recommendations.

• The Financial Capability Partnership Ni Offers You The Opportunity To Win A Money Makeover!
  26 January 2012

  Are you worried about money? Don’t know how to budget or how to start saving? As part of Money Week 2012, the Financial Capability Partnership NI is offering a family or an individual living in the Craigavon area the chance to win a personal financial makeover, courtesy of a trained advisor from ‘Beat the Recession’. This competition represents just one of a number of special events happening during Money Week – a week-long series of events organised by the Financial Capability Partnership NI from 25 February – 2 March, with Craigavon Borough Council. This competition is a unique opportunity for someone who is concerned about their finances to have an overhaul of their current money situation. The ‘Beat the Recession’ advisor will go through a range of issues with the winner, including: • Maximising your income and checking your benefit entitlement; • How to budget and manage your money successfully; • Looking at ways to save money and reduce expenditure; • Help and Support with any current, or possible future, problems paying debt; and • Advice if needed on your rights relating to redundancy, employment, consumer or housing problems. Carol Edwards, Chair of the Financial Capability Partnership NI said: “Tackling money worries head on is the best way to stop your financial concerns spiralling out of control. Having the help of a knowledgeable advisor can give you the confidence and reassurance that you are on the right track. Learning some new skills from the advisor can also improve your ability to manage your money and make sure you keep as much of it in your pocket as possible. We encourage anyone in the Craigavon Borough Council area who feels they could do with a Money Makeover to enter this competition. It’s simple and easy to do: all we need is your name, address and contact telephone number. You can either email us at info@consumercouncil.org.uk or write to us at The Consumer Council, 116 Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1NY, or telephone us on 0800 121 6022. You could also send us a private message on Facebook (Consumer Council NI) or Twitter (@ConsumerCouncil). Rachael Cray, project co-ordinator for Beat the Recession said: “Beat the Recession is a project funded by the Big Lottery Fund, with an aim of making it easier for people to access free debt advice, as well as to increase awareness throughout Northern Ireland. Our innovative website, www.beattherecession.me, has several features including on-line webchat with an adviser, Money Saving Tips, FAQs and Downloadable Fact Sheets. We are delighted to work with the Consumer Council and be involved in such a worthwhile venture by offering this unique prize. The Money Makeover will be tailored by one of our experienced money advisers, all of whom are fully trained by Citizens Advice, to meet the winner’s exact needs. The Money Makeover is open to anyone, including those who find it difficult to balance their bank account, struggle to pay bills, are having a debt crisis, worried about losing their home, or simply worried about the future if circumstances change. This prize involves a very comprehensive review of all your financial aspects, which is over and above the service we deliver on a day to day basis. If you are unsuccessful with your entry, we can still assist you with debt advice via a variety of means including on-line webchat on our website, www.beattherecession.me, by text message on 07587 774973, telephone on 028 9026 7170, or e-mail us on info@beattherecession.me. All the advice we give is free, confidential, independent and impartial.” Rules of entry - Entrants must be from the Craigavon Borough Council area. - The winner will be chosen at random. - There is no age limit for participants. - The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. - The Money Makeover prize is non-transferable. There will be no cash alternative. - Winners will be contacted to arrange a convenient date for the Money Makeover. - Staff from organisations involved in Money Week will not be eligible to enter. ENDS Notes to editor The Consumer Council leads the Financial Capability Partnership NI which brings together Government, banks, building societies, credit unions, education, community and voluntary sectors to ensure that we all help consumers in Northern Ireland to manage their money and make it work best for them. For the full list of members please visit http://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/money-week/ 1. Consumer Council media contact: Irene Overend, telephone, 028 9067 4816 or 07825 147496 or e-mail, ioverend@consumercouncil.org.uk 2. The Consumer Council is an independent consumer organisation, working to bring about change to benefit Northern Ireland’s consumers. The Council campaigns for high standards of service and protection and a fair deal for all. It also carries out research, gives advice and publishes reports and other publications. It deals with individual complaints about buses, trains, planes, ferries, natural gas, electricity, coal and water. 3. For more information, visit our website at www.consumercouncil.org.uk

• Consumers Need Evidence That Electricity Prices Are Fair, Says Consumer Council
  19 January 2012

  •Why does the price of electricity produced by wind generators rise when the price of gas rises1? •Why does the most expensive electricity generator set the price that is paid to all generators on the Island of Ireland2? •Why are some generators making profit margins of between 20 and 50 per cent when NI’s top 100 companies are seeing margins between 1 and 6 per cent? •Why are wind generators paid for being on standby when the wind is not blowing? •How can increasing renewable energy – which will cost consumers more - be considered separately from tackling fuel poverty3?

• Craigavon Consumers Set To Benefit From ‘money Week 2012’
  17 January 2012

  Consumers across Craigavon are set to benefit from ‘Money Week’ from 25 February - 2 March 2012, a special week-long programme of events, designed to help people develop the skills and confidence to manage their money.

• Consumer Council Issues Energy And Travel Advice For Severe Weather
  3 January 2012

  With the continuing severe weather across Northern Ireland the Consumer Council is reminding people of the practical steps they can take if their electricity goes off or if their travel is cancelled.

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Media Contacts

Keelin Kelly, Head of Communications, 028 9067 4807 (Out of Hours: 077 9903 2203) or kkelly@consumercouncil.org.uk

Irene Overend, Communications Officer, 028 9067 4816 (Out of hours: 078 2514 7496) or ioverend@consumercouncil.org.uk

Pauline Gordon, Communications Officer, 028 9067 4813 (Out of hours: 079 0997 2704) or pgordon@consumercouncil.org.uk

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