News in June 2006
- 30 Jun 2006OFT launches airports probeThe Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has launched an investigation into the UK airports sector to see if it works well for consumers.
- 30 Jun 2006Motorists on mobiles as bad as drunk driversChatting on your mobile phone while driving is as dangerous as drink driving, according to a new US study.
- 29 Jun 2006OFT crackdown on costly phoneline scamA company which conned consumers into thinking they'd won GBP 10,000 to lure them into calling a costly phone line has been forced to make a binding promise to stop ripping off the public.
- 29 Jun 2006Flight complaints soarMore consumers than ever are complaining about a problem they suffered while in another EU country - and most concern flights.
- 29 Jun 2006Care homes to get ratingsCare homes for elderly and disabled people are to be given hotel-style star ratings in a bid to improve standards, it's reported today.
- 29 Jun 2006Woolwich to vanish from high streetThe Woolwich name is to disappear from the high street after 160 years.
- 29 Jun 2006Tap water is healthy and environmentally friendlyTap water is as healthy to drink as bottled water and does far less damage to the environment, according to the industry watchdog.
- 28 Jun 2006ASA raps Flora for health claimA newspaper ad which claimed Flora Pro.activ margarine 'helps keep blood vessels healthy' has been slated by the advertising watchdog.
- 28 Jun 2006Thousands stolen from HSBC accountsA financial scam at an HSBC Indian call centre has seen close to a quarter of a million pounds siphoned out of British bank accounts, it emerged last night.
- 28 Jun 2006Beta blockers axed for blood pressureUp to 2 million people suffering with high blood pressure are to be taken off beta blockers in favour of more effective drugs.
- 27 Jun 2006Vodafone and T Mobile offer 3G broadbandVodafone and T-Mobile have both announced new services which will allow you to access high-speed 3G broadband while on the move.
- 27 Jun 2006More drivers favour road chargesOne in four motorists are now prepared to accept tough measures to tackle road congestion, according to the RAC.
- 27 Jun 2006Doctors slam scares over MMRThirty leading paediatricians have warned that more children will die unless a line is drawn under health scares that link the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism.
- 26 Jun 2006New Halifax account pays 5 per centHalifax has thrown down the gauntlet to the 'big four' banks by launching a new high-interest current account.
- 26 Jun 2006Cadbury denies link to food bug outbreakCadbury is insisting there's no link between a recent food poisoning outbreak and the mass contamination of its chocolate with the same strain of the salmonella bug.
- 23 Jun 2006Beware of mobile phones in thunderstormsPeople should not use mobile phones outdoors during thunderstorms because of the risk of being struck by lightning, doctors have warned.
- 22 Jun 2006Parking system needs overhaul, say MPsBritain's parking system is a mess and needs a major overhaul, says a new report by MPs.
- 22 Jun 2006BA probed over price-fix claimBritish Airways (BA) and other unnamed airlines are being investigated by the British and American governments over allegations of price-fixing.
- 22 Jun 2006New random checks on GP appointmentsSurgeries will get random checks from next month to ensure they offer patients a GP appointment within two days.
- 21 Jun 2006World Cup virus warningComputer virus experts are warning of a new internet 'worm' which is trying to exploit World Cup fever.
- 21 Jun 2006'Clever milk' ad misleading, rules ASAA milk advert fronted by Professor Lord Robert Winston has been pulled after it made unproven claims about boosting children's brain power.
- 20 Jun 2006Bag size crackdownPassengers flying out of Britain's busiest airport are to be stopped from taking oversized hand luggage on flights.
- 19 Jun 2006Lottery scam uses fake cheques to trap victimsConsumers have been warned about a new lottery scam which uses counterfeit cheques to lure people into believing the promised win is genuine.
- 19 Jun 2006New test screens for more genetic diseasesA new genetic test could help thousands of women at risk of giving birth to children with diseases such as cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy.
- 19 Jun 2006Mobile phone useAlmost seven out of ten people would like to see a person fined if their mobile rings during a show at the cinema, theatre or opera.
- 15 Jun 2006Biggest measles outbreak 'for 20 years'England is in the grip of the biggest measles outbreak for 20 years, health experts said last night.
- 15 Jun 2006Speed cameras 'to cover neighbourhoods'Speed cameras are to be installed in residential areas to catch drivers breaking 20mph speed limits, it's claimed today.
- 15 Jun 2006FSA clashes with Ofcom over junk food adsThe government's food watchdog has today called for a complete pre-watershed ban on junk food adverts.
- 15 Jun 2006BA allowanceBritish Airways(BA) is to allow economy passengers just one check-in bag each on most routes.
- 09 Jun 2006GP star ratings shelvedPlans to award GP surgeries Michelin-style star ratings look to have been scrapped just days after they were first revealed.
- 09 Jun 2006Diabetics warned about faulty glucose testing aidsThe medicines watchdog is warning diabetics to be vigilant after it discovered a safety problem with certain blood glucose meters which could result in users overdosing on insulin.
- 08 Jun 2006NHS deficit has doubledThe NHS deficit in England has more than doubled in the last year to GBP 512 million, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt announced last night.
- 07 Jun 2006Telewest offers World Cup in HDTVTelewestwill be showing coverage of the World Cup in high definition (HD) after it struck a deal with both the BBC and ITV.
- 06 Jun 2006Dodgy scratchcard company finedA company that ran a scratchcard promotion has been fined GBP 10,000 for stringing out premium-rate calls to make more money.
- 06 Jun 2006GPs 'to get star ratings'GP surgeries are to be awarded star ratings to help patients assess their quality of care, it's reported today.
- 05 Jun 2006Holidaymakers to get better rights abroadBetter rights for British holidaymakers who return home to find they've bought faulty goods elsewhere in Europe have taken a step forward.
