Featured research

View our featured research on important topics impacting Northern Ireland consumers at the moment.

  • Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker

    A quarterly publication that shows what households in Northern Ireland are experiencing financially, including changes to their income, expenditure and in which areas they are spending most of their money. 

  • Cost of living pulse surveys

    Quarterly pulse surveys which gathers consumer perceptions and experiences of the cost of living crisis in Northern Ireland. 

  • Consumer attitudes to energy transition

    As Northern Ireland works towards achieving net zero targets by 2050, we are carrying out ongoing research into what consumers think about this and how they are impacted.

  • Financial Services in Northern Ireland

    We carry out research to quantify the lived experience in Northern Ireland relating to financial services, focusing on financial exclusion, access to cash and borrowing, and levels of lending, savings and debt.

Consultation responses

In our consultation responses, we use evidence-based insights to promote and safeguard the interests of consumers in Northern Ireland, advocating on their behalf.

View our consultation responses below.

Our recent insights

Consumers’ views and behaviours in response to the rising cost of basics

The Consumer Council commissioned Social Market Research (SMR) to survey a representative sample of 1033 adult consumers living in Northern Ireland on issues relating to the cost of basics. 

Consumers’ views and behaviours in response to the rising cost of basics Consumer_Council _Cost _of_basics report_ACCESSIBLE VERSION.pdf

Q3 2023 - Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker

The Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker showing data from July to September 2023.

Q3 2023 - Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker Household_expenditure_tracker_Q3_2023 AV.pdf

Overview note: GB retailers not delivering to Northern Ireland -January 2024

This is an overview note on the number of GB retailers who have ceased to deliver to Northern Ireland citing EU Exit as the reason, updated in January 2024.

Overview note: GB retailers not delivering to Northern Ireland -January 2024 Overview_note_GB_retailers_not_delivering_to_Northern_Ireland_January_2024.pdf
Topic
103 research reports available

Women's Regional Consortium - Women Living with Debt

Women's Regional Consortium - Women Living with Debt 

Women's Regional Consortium - Women Living with Debt Womens_Regional_ Women_Living_Debt.pdf

The impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdown on financial difficulties, debt and illegal money lending (Overview)

The impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdown on financial difficulties, debt and illegal money lending (Overview)

The impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdown on financial difficulties, debt and illegal money lending (Overview) Impact_of_COVID_Illegal_Money_Lending_Overview.pdf

The impact of Covid-19 and associated lockdown on financial difficulties, debt and illegal money lending

The impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdown on financial difficulties, debt and illegal money lending

The impact of Covid-19 and associated lockdown on financial difficulties, debt and illegal money lending Impact_of_COVID_Illegal_Money_Lending.pdf

NIACRO Barriers to Inclusion (Overview)

NIACRO Barriers to Inclusion (Overview)

NIACRO Barriers to Inclusion (Overview) NIACRO_Barriers_to_Inclusion_Overview.pdf

NIACRO Barriers to Inclusion

NIACRO Barriers to Inclusion 

NIACRO Barriers to Inclusion NIACRO_Barriers_to_Inclusion.pdf

Lending, Savings and Debt Research: Northern Ireland Consumers (Overview)

Lending, Savings and Debt Research: Northern Ireland Consumers (Overview)

Lending, Savings and Debt Research: Northern Ireland Consumers (Overview) Lending_Savings_Debt_Overview.pdf

Lending, Savings and Debt Research: Northern Ireland Consumers

Lending, Savings and Debt Research: Northern Ireland Consumers 

Lending, Savings and Debt Research: Northern Ireland Consumers Lending_Savings_Debt_Research.pdf

Housing Rights - A Vicious Cycle (Overview)

Housing Rights - A Vicious Cycle (Overview)

Housing Rights - A Vicious Cycle (Overview) Housing_Rights_A_Vicious_Cycle_Overview.pdf

Housing Rights - A Vicious Cycle

Housing Rights - A Vicious Cycle

Housing Rights - A Vicious Cycle Housing_Rights_A_Vicious_Cycle_Report.pdf

The Impact of COVID-19 - Christians Against Poverty (Overview)

The Impact of COVID-19 - Christians Against Poverty (Overview)

The Impact of COVID-19 - Christians Against Poverty (Overview) Impact_of_COVID_Christians_Against_Poverty_Overview.pdf

Research notice

Sometimes research companies conduct research on our behalf. Read our Research notice here.