Newsletter
Week 42, 2008
STOP PRESS......
Strengthened consumer protections came into force on 1st October
The new body, Consumer Focus was created through the merger of the National Consumer Council, energywatch and Postwatch. It has much stronger powers than its predecessors - including the ability to demand information from companies.
The regulators, Ofgem and Postcomm, from now on will fine companies who fail to meet tough new standards and a new independent ombudsman will step in if companies and consumers can't reach agreement on complaints.
.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Watch out for home-business scams
In an economic downturn like the one we are facing now, scammers come out of the woodwork because they know there are people out there who are desperate to make money. The Internet helps these scammers look legitimate, because they can use testimonials to 'prove' their work-at-home concept and allows them to post adverts on job-sites. Whether it involves stuffing envelopes, doing cold-calling or assembling toys, most victims never get paid for their work or ever recoup their start-up fees. The most likely prey include senior citizens, stay-at-home mothers and people with low incomes.
Of the many home-business schemes, it is impossible to know just how many are rip-offs, mainly because most victims are too embarrassed to make formal complaints.
.
ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
How emotions distort the way we react to advice
New research by Maurice Schweitzer of Wharton and Francesca Gino of Carnegie Mellon University shows that emotions not only influence people's receptiveness to advice but they do so even when the emotions have no link to the advice or the adviser.
.
NEWSFLASH OF THE WEEK
Businesses complain of the burden of council regulations
A major new business survey found that just over 70 per cent feel that council enforced regulations can be as big or a bigger burden than tax and employment law. Other results from the independent survey - commissioned from Ipsos MORI - showed that one third of the companies received inconsistent compliance advice from different local authorities.
Just under two thirds (65 per cent) said they were generally satisfied with the regulatory services provided by local councils, while one in 10 firms voiced the view that local regulators who contacted them did not know enough about their companies.
.
EVENT FO THE WEEK
9th Annual Healthcare Conference
When: 28 October 2008
Where: One Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London
Cost: £275 - 550
This event brings together leading thinkers from Government and healthcare organisations, both public and private, who will discuss, debate and analyise the significant challanges and opportunities in care service reform. To book call: 020-7034-3490
Week 42, 2008
STOP PRESS......
Strengthened consumer protections came into force on 1st October
The new body, Consumer Focus was created through the merger of the National Consumer Council, energywatch and Postwatch. It has much stronger powers than its predecessors - including the ability to demand information from companies.
The regulators, Ofgem and Postcomm, from now on will fine companies who fail to meet tough new standards and a new independent ombudsman will step in if companies and consumers can't reach agreement on complaints.
.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Watch out for home-business scams
In an economic downturn like the one we are facing now, scammers come out of the woodwork because they know there are people out there who are desperate to make money. The Internet helps these scammers look legitimate, because they can use testimonials to 'prove' their work-at-home concept and allows them to post adverts on job-sites. Whether it involves stuffing envelopes, doing cold-calling or assembling toys, most victims never get paid for their work or ever recoup their start-up fees. The most likely prey include senior citizens, stay-at-home mothers and people with low incomes.
Of the many home-business schemes, it is impossible to know just how many are rip-offs, mainly because most victims are too embarrassed to make formal complaints.
.
ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
How emotions distort the way we react to advice
New research by Maurice Schweitzer of Wharton and Francesca Gino of Carnegie Mellon University shows that emotions not only influence people's receptiveness to advice but they do so even when the emotions have no link to the advice or the adviser.
.
NEWSFLASH OF THE WEEK
Businesses complain of the burden of council regulations
A major new business survey found that just over 70 per cent feel that council enforced regulations can be as big or a bigger burden than tax and employment law. Other results from the independent survey - commissioned from Ipsos MORI - showed that one third of the companies received inconsistent compliance advice from different local authorities.
Just under two thirds (65 per cent) said they were generally satisfied with the regulatory services provided by local councils, while one in 10 firms voiced the view that local regulators who contacted them did not know enough about their companies.
.
EVENT FO THE WEEK
9th Annual Healthcare Conference
When: 28 October 2008
Where: One Birdcage Walk, Westminster, London
Cost: £275 - 550
This event brings together leading thinkers from Government and healthcare organisations, both public and private, who will discuss, debate and analyise the significant challanges and opportunities in care service reform. To book call: 020-7034-3490
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