The Consumer Council is the voice for Northern Ireland consumers. We aim to provide consumer information and skills to all, so that consumers can make informed choices in a complex market place.
What's New delivers timely and relevant information on Consumer Council work happening today. If you would like further information, contact the Consumer Council on 028 9067 2488.
Considering paying your rates bill by credit card? Read this first
The Minister for Finance and Personnel has decided that consumers should be able to pay their rates bill by credit card. The Consumer Council is very concerned that consumers who don’t have the money to pay their rates bill upfront might pay their bill by credit card to buy
themselves some time. Click on the link above for more informationConsumer Council welcomes OFT’S advertising and pricing study
The Consumer Council has welcomed a commitment from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to conduct a market study on the way goods and services are advertised and priced. The move follows the Consumer Council’s submission of an in depth report to the OFT on the impact of additional charges for consumers.
Are you affected by the collapse of the railway bridge on the Enterprise Service?
The Enterprise service between Belfast and Dublin is disrupted as a result of a railway bridge collapsing North of Malahide. A bus service is now in operation to bring passengers between Drogheda and Dublin. Passengers will experience delays and should give themselves extra time to get to their destination.
The Consumer Council wants to know how this is affecting your journey/travel time and if you are experiencing problems. Contact us on 0800 121 6022, email complaints@consumercouncil.org.uk or make a complaint online at www.consumercouncil.org.uk/complaints.
For further information please contact Translink Call Centre on (028) 90 66 66 30 or visit www.irishrail.ie.Consumer Council will be in George Best Belfast City Airport from Mon 17/08 - Fri 23/08
Do you plan to travel by plane this summer? Would you know what to do if something went wrong or you had a complaint? If the answer is no, then the Consumer Council can help.
We are here to let your voice be heard at George Best Belfast City Airport from Monday 17 August to Friday 23 August (9am - 6pm).
This gives us the opportunity to hear firsthand what issues are affecting passengers as they commute or go on holiday this summer. It will also give us the opportunity to promote our complaints handling role and let passengers know what their rights and responsibilities are. Our team will be in the airport all week distributing free advice and merchandise.Airline Charges - click here to see full list of charges applied by airlines operating in NI
Click on the link above to see how airlines comapare on charges for things like check-in and credit/debit card bookings.
Could you be sitting on a fortune? For info on forgotten bank accounts click here
Do you think you might have money lying around in a in a long forgotten bank or building society account? Maybe you can’t remember whether you closed an account or not. You might not even remember which bank or building society it was with. This handy guide will help you check if you have a forgotten account and get your money back if you do.
Need to renew your insurance but couldn’t be bothered shopping around?
Consumer Council research shows that we pay much more than people in Great Britain for car, contents and buildings insurance. Find out more information on how to shop around and save money on your insurance by clicking on in the link above.
Booking a flight on-line? Don't get hit with debit/credit card charges
Don't get hit with hefty debit/credit card charges when booking flights on-line. Check out the full list of charges applied by all airlines operating in and out of Northern Ireland.
Are you an A - Level Home Economics Teacher?
Are you ready to deliver the revised A - Level Home Economics syllabus?
Do you want to update your knowledge and resources?
The Consumer Council, in partnership with CCEA, is organising three conferences for A - Level Home Economics teachers in March 2009 to help teachers prepare for the consumer issues content of the revised Home Economics curriculum.Installing, servicing or repairing your gas appliances or boiler?
In Northern Ireland, it is illegal for anyone to carry out work on a gas appliance or boiler if they have not been approved by CORGI, (the Council for Registered Gas Installers).
There has been a change in the registration body in Scotland, England and Wales, where CORGI has been replaced by Gas Safe Register.
CORGI, however, still operates in Northern Ireland. Therefore you must make sure that your gas installer or fitter is registered with CORGI before allowing them to work on your gas appliance or boiler.
If you require further information or advice, please call us on 0800 121 6022.
