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<p>The General Consumer Council has welcomed today’s news that the Northern Bank is to introduce a new current account.</p>

<p>Eleanor Gill, Chief Executive at the Consumer Council said: “For the ordinary person in the street, this news of a 9 per cent increase in rates in itself is worrying. However, when you look at this rates hike (almost three times above inflation*) alongside pending water charges it is doubly worrying, particularly for those who are struggling to make ends meet.</p>

<p>The General Consumer Council has today welcomed the new Metro bus service saying it shows the vision needed to help make public transport an option for more people. It also believes the service will help stop the decline in Citybus passenger numbers that saw 2,500 fewer journeys made per day over the last ten years.</p>

<p>The Consumer Council launched a leaflet today to help consumers switch bank accounts. It comes after the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) announced that it is considering referring the banking market here for personal current accounts to the Competition Commission for investigation.</p>

<p>At a time when the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is consulting with the local banking industry on a referral to the Competition Commission, First Trust Bank and Ulster Bank’s parent company, the Royal Bank of Scotland, have announced impressive profits for 2004.</p>

<p>Change now or be changed – that’s the Consumer Council’s stark message to the big four banks.</p>

<p>The Consumer Council today welcomed new rights for air passengers who face cancellation, long delays or who are not allowed to board their flight.</p>

<p>The General Consumer Council has welcomed today’s Belfast Telegraph report of a proposed delay to the introduction of water charges here. However, the Council says if there is to be a delay, it must be used to get the system right.</p>

<p>The General Consumer Council has expressed disappointment that Seacat’s Belfast to Troon service is to close.</p>