Latest news with #RocioConcha
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
New energy tariffs could automatically save you £200 a year WITHOUT having to cut back on electricity
BILL BOOST New energy tariffs could automatically save you £200 a year WITHOUT having to cut back on electricity Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOUSEHOLDS could save £200 a year without having to cut back on electricity through new tariffs. Bill payers could cut costs by signing up for time-of-use tariffs charging different rates based on wholesale demand. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Households could save £200 a year on their energy bills under a new government roadmap Credit: Alamy The warning comes as the government today lays out plans for more families to sign up for flexible energy tariffs as part of its new Clean Flexibility Roadmap. The roadmap will demand suppliers make information on smart tariffs for households easier to find. Households will also be encouraged to sign up for tailored products and services which can flag when cheaper energy is available. Meanwhile, electric vehicle drivers will be eligible for discounts on their electricity at off-peak times. Michael Shanks, energy minister, said: 'This roadmap gives households and businesses the choice and control over when and how they use their energy. 'The flexible electricity system we are working to build will help make that a reality for consumers across the country, by supporting them to bring down their bills through using new tariffs and technologies. 'In this way we will protect working people's pockets and ensure they are the first to benefit from our clean power mission.' The government says pushing more households towards using electricity at off-peak times will help save the electricity network £70billion by 2050. Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: "Smart tariffs could help make household energy bills more affordable and reduce the cost of developing the UK's energy infrastructure but their success is dependent on consumer support and engagement. "To give consumers the confidence to take up these tariffs, the government must ensure that energy customers are given the information they need so they can easily compare tariffs, find out how much they could save and choose the best option for them." Akshay Kaul, from Ofgem, added: "A more flexible energy market will be a real game changer, giving households more control over what they pay for their energy. 'Small lifestyle tweaks such as programming a dishwasher or tumble dryer to run overnight when costs are low or charging your electric car during high winds can have a material impact on people's bills." What firms already offer cheaper energy based on demand? Some firms already offer customers cheaper energy at off-peak times of the day when wholesale costs are lower. Some offer periods where you can get discounts for shifting your usage away from peak times when there is greater demand on the network. For example, EDF has been offering households free electricity for shifting their usage outside of 4pm to 7pm on weekdays. Others offer tariffs where the rate you are charged is tied to the cost of wholesale prices and updated daily. When wholesale prices are higher, your bills rise and when they're lower, you pay less. If you can shift your usage outside of busier periods, you can save even more money.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
New energy tariffs could automatically save you £200 a year WITHOUT having to cut back on electricity
HOUSEHOLDS could save £200 a year without having to cut back on electricity through new tariffs. Bill payers could cut costs by signing up for time-of-use tariffs charging different rates during the day based on wholesale demand. 1 The warning comes as the government today lays out plans for more families to sign up for flexible energy tariffs as part of its new Clean Flexibility Roadmap. The roadmap will demand suppliers make information on smart tariffs for households without EVs easier to find. Households will also be helped to sign up for energy products and services that are tailored based on their electricity usage. Meanwhile, electric vehicle drivers will be eligible for discounts on their electricity at off-peak times. Michael Shanks, energy minister, said: 'This roadmap gives households and businesses the choice and control over when and how they use their energy. 'The flexible electricity system we are working to build will help make that a reality for consumers across the country, by supporting them to bring down their bills through using new tariffs and technologies. 'In this way we will protect working people's pockets and ensure they are the first to benefit from our clean power mission.' The government says pushing more households towards using electricity at off-peak times will help save the electricity network £70billion by 2050. Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: "Smart tariffs could help make household energy bills more affordable and reduce the cost of developing the UK's energy infrastructure but their success is dependent on consumer support and engagement. "To give consumers the confidence to take up these tariffs, the government must ensure that energy customers are given the information they need so they can easily compare tariffs, find out how much they could save and choose the best option for them."
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Huge change to mobile and broadband rules so customers can get £100s in compensation sooner
Plus, we share tips on how to complain to your broadband provider SHAKE UP Huge change to mobile and broadband rules so customers can get £100s in compensation sooner A HUGE change to mobile and broadband rules means customers can get £100s in compensation sooner. Anyone who complains to their provider and does not get the response they want can take their claim further to the ombudsman. Advertisement 1 New rules mean customers can get their complaints handled quicker Credit: Alamy Currently, providers have up to eight weeks to respond. But under new rules laid out by Ofcom, this will now be reduced to six weeks. This means frustrated customers can get compensation quicker. Ofcom has been consulting on the change and made its final decision this week. Advertisement But customers will have to wait until April 2026 before the changes officially come into place. Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, described the move as "positive". She said: "Recent Which? research found that eight in ten suffered a connection issue with their broadband provider in the year to January 2025. "So unfortunately, telecoms issues are far from uncommon and customers rightly expect that any problems will be resolved quickly and efficiently." Advertisement She added: "Any providers who are falling short urgently need to up their game to ensure their customers are getting the service they rightly expect and that problems are resolved as quickly as possible." It is worth noting that when you take an issue to the ombudsman there's no guarantee of compensation, but it's one of the ways it can tell the supplier to offer redress. CHECK YOUR SPEED: Broadband If you wish to complain to your broadband provider look for the customer service number on the company website. Ask to speak to the relevant team member and make sure you have important documents such as bills and bank statements to hand. Advertisement Under current rules, if your supplier does not resolve the issues after eight weeks, you can take your case to one of two Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) schemes. Customers can escalate issues to either the Communications Ombudsman (CO) or the Communications and Internet Services Adjudication Scheme (CISAS). If your provider cannot solve your compliant, it will issue a deadlock letter which it means it does not think it can resolve the problem. You can find out what scheme your provider is part of by using the ADR checker on the Ofcom website. Advertisement If you receive one of these letter it means you have 12months to contact the ombudsman. Resolving an issue through the ombudsman can lead to a simple apology, or you get compensation. If you are not happy with how it has resolved your complaint you can switch providers. HOW TO CUT BROADBAND COSTS If you're not happy with what your broadband firm is offering you, shop around for a new deal and switch providers. Advertisement You can use price comparison websites like Uswitch to find the best deals based on your circumstances. You can also use a deal found on a price comparison site to haggle your existing provider down to a lower price. And if you are a pensioners or on government benefits like Universal Credit you should check if you can slash your broadband and mobile bills by hundreds of pounds a year. Social tariffs are offered to those on government benefits like Universal Credit, and they can save you hundreds of pounds a year compared to standard deals. Advertisement They often come with no exit fees - but you should always check the terms and conditions carefully. Ofcom has a list on its website of all the firms offering social broadband and mobile phone tariffs here:
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Huge change to mobile and broadband rules so customers can get £100s in compensation sooner
A HUGE change to mobile and broadband rules means customers can get £100s in compensation sooner. Anyone who complains to their provider and does not get the response they want can take their claim further to the ombudsman. 1 Currently, providers have up to eight weeks to respond. But under new rules laid out by Ofcom, this will now be reduced to six weeks. This means frustrated customers can get compensation quicker. Ofcom has been consulting on the change and made its final decision this week. But customers will have to wait until April 2026 before the changes officially come into place. Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, described the move as "positive". She said: "Recent Which? research found that eight in ten suffered a connection issue with their broadband provider in the year to January 2025. "So unfortunately, telecoms issues are far from uncommon and customers rightly expect that any problems will be resolved quickly and efficiently." She added: "Any providers who are falling short urgently need to up their game to ensure their customers are getting the service they rightly expect and that problems are resolved as quickly as possible." It is worth noting that when you take an issue to the ombudsman there's no guarantee of compensation, but it's one of the ways it can tell the supplier to offer redress. If you wish to complain to your broadband provider look for the customer service number on the company website. Ask to speak to the relevant team member and make sure you have important documents such as bills and bank statements to hand. Under current rules, if your supplier does not resolve the issues after eight weeks, you can take your case to one of two Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) schemes. Customers can escalate issues to either the Communications Ombudsman (CO) or the Communications and Internet Services Adjudication Scheme (CISAS). If your provider cannot solve your compliant, it will issue a deadlock letter which it means it does not think it can resolve the problem. You can find out what scheme your provider is part of by using the ADR checker on the Ofcom website. If you receive one of these letter it means you have 12months to contact the ombudsman. Resolving an issue through the ombudsman can lead to a simple apology, or you get compensation. If you are not happy with how it has resolved your complaint you can switch providers. HOW TO CUT BROADBAND COSTS If you're not happy with what your broadband firm is offering you, shop around for a new deal and switch providers. You can use price comparison websites like Uswitch to find the best deals based on your circumstances. You can also use a deal found on a price comparison site to haggle your existing provider down to a lower price. And if you are a pensioners or on government benefits like Universal Credit you should c heck if you can slash your broadband and mobile bills by hundreds of pounds a year. Social tariffs are offered to those on government benefits like Universal Credit, and they can save you hundreds of pounds a year compared to standard deals. They often come with no exit fees - but you should always check the terms and conditions carefully. Ofcom has a list on its website of all the firms offering social broadband and mobile phone tariffs here: Top tips on how to stay connected Here are some tips from Ofcom on how to improve your Wi-Fi connection and get more out of it: Use your landline or Wi-Fi calls: More people are making calls on their mobile network during the day, so you may find you get a more reliable connection using your landline or by turning on "wifi calling" in your settings. Move your router clear of other devices: Keep your router as far away as possible from other devices, such as cordless phones, baby monitors, TVs and monitors, as they can all affect your Wi-Fi if they're too close to your router. Also, place your router on a table or shelf rather than on the floor, and keep it switched on. Lower the demands on your connection: The more devices attached to your wifi, the lower the speed you get. Devices like tablets and smartphones often work in the background, so try switching wifi reception off on these when you're not using them. Try wired rather than wireless: For the best broadband speeds, use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer directly to your router rather than using Wi-FI. Plug your router directly into your main phone socket: Where possible, try not to use a telephone extension lead, as these can cause interference which could lower your speed. Test the speed on your broadband line: You can run a speed test using Ofcom's official mobile and broadband checker. If possible, carry out tests over a few days and see if there are any changes.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Free tool reveals which mobile network is best for YOU based on where you live
A NEW free-to-use tool reveals which mobile network is best for you based on where you live. Ofcom has unveiled a new "Map Your Mobile" checker which tells you how good 4G and 5G coverage is in your local area. 2 You enter your postcode which draws up a map of which networks are available near you and which phone operator's network offers you the best performance. Mobile phone users can find the new tool via Ofcom said home movers can use the tool to suss out whether the coverage in an area they plan to move into is good enough. It also said commuters can use it to figure out what network best suits them on the way in and home from work. The checker features data based on previous customers' reviews on coverage in certain areas, combined with data from the major networks on how strong their signal is in selected zones. Ofcom said at a local level, data from the major networks can be unreliable due to factors like the weather, or whether you're in a certain type of building or area. Phone users will also be told how good coverage is down to a 50-square metre radius, equivalent to a postcode of up to 20 homes. Ofcom said the checker will be updated with fresh data after its launch to improve the service for users. Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: "In the crowded market of UK mobile networks, consumers need access to accurate mobile coverage and performance information to choose a plan that meets their needs and represents good value for money. 'Ofcom's new tool will help consumers make informed decisions with crowd-sourced data and predictive data from mobile network operators, which should increase the reliability of coverage information available to consumers. 'It's important that the tool continues to incorporate user feedback to stay relevant, accurate, and responsive to the changing needs of consumers." Tom Luke, vice president at Opensignal, which helped make the tool with Ofcom, added: "Our partnership with Ofcom shifts the focus to real-world experience, using independent analysis of over 20million tests across the UK. "By putting this data directly into consumers' hands, we're helping them make smarter choices about which network truly delivers consistent quality where they live and work." There are other ways to check mobile phone internet coverage in your area, including for free via Which? also has a list of the major firms' mobile phone coverage checker tools available on its website. Best and worst broadband and mobile phone providers The launch of the new tool from Ofcom comes after the regulator last month unveiled the best and worst telecoms firms in 2024 based on customer satisfaction. In terms of mobile phone providers, Tesco Mobile and giffgaff came out on top with overall scores of 94%. Lebara came in third with a score of 91%, EE fourth with 90%, then Sky and Three in joint fifth with 87%. At the bottom of the pack was O2 with 85% then Vodafone with 84%. Tesco Mobile experienced the fewest complaints to Ofcom in 2024, with just four complaints per 100,000 customers. However, Ofcom said that the average number of complaints reduced in 2024 across all providers. Elsewhere, the average call waiting time for mobile customers decreased in 2024, from 2mins 24s in 2023 to 1min 52s in 2024. CUT YOUR TELECOM COSTS By James Flanders, Chief Consumer Reporter Switching contracts is one of the single best ways to save money on your mobile, broadband and TV bills. But if you can't switch mid-contract without facing a penalty, you'd be best to hold off until it's up for renewal. But don't just switch contracts because the price is cheaper than what you're currently paying. Take a look at your minutes and texts, as well as your data usage, to find out which deal is best for you. For example, if you're a heavy internet user, it's worth finding a deal that accommodates this so you don't have to spend extra on bundles or add-ons each month. In the weeks before your contract is up, use comparison sites to familiarise yourself with what deals are available. It's a known fact that new customers always get the best deals. Sites like MoneySuperMarket and Uswitch all help you customise your search based on price, allowances and provider. This should make it easier to decide whether to renew your contract or move to another provider. However, if you don't want to switch and are happy with the service you're getting under your current provider - haggle for a better deal. You can still make significant savings by renewing your contract rather than rolling on to the tariff you're given after your deal. If you need to speak to a company on the phone, be sure to catch them at the right time. Make some time to negotiate with your provider in the morning. This way, you have a better chance of being the first customer through on the phone, and the rep won't have worked tirelessly through previous calls which may have affected their stress levels. It pays to be polite when getting through to someone on the phone, as representatives are less inclined to help rude or aggressive customers. Knowing what other offers are on the market can help you to make a case for yourself to your provider. If your provider won't haggle, you can always threaten to leave. Companies don't want to lose customers and may come up with a last-minute offer to keep you. It's also worth investigating social tariffs. These deals have been created for people who are receiving certain benefits.
