News in October 2007
- 31 Oct 2007Students fuel Wikipedia growthStudents returning to school and university are believed to be behind a surge in popularity of the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia.
- 31 Oct 2007Social website launched for 'silver surfers'A MySpace-style social networking site aimed at the over-50s has been launched today.
- 31 Oct 2007Huge rise in complaints about water firmsAlmost 241,000 written complaints were made by customers to water and sewerage companies in 2006-07, an increase of nearly 30% compared with the previous year, the Consumer Council for Water announced today.
- 31 Oct 2007Drivers still flouting mobile lawDrivers continue to flout the law and use handheld mobile phones while behind the wheel, figures released by a road safety website suggest.
- 31 Oct 2007More supermarket competition neededShoppers in some areas of the UK are being let down by a lack of competition between supermarkets, a major probe released today has found.
- 31 Oct 2007Banks lose card cover appealBanks and credit card companies have failed in their bid to deprive British shoppers of valuable protection when they use their credit cards abroad.
- 30 Oct 2007Toy industry told to boost safety effortsThe toy industry must ‘redouble its efforts on safety’ following a spate of high profile recalls.
- 30 Oct 2007Asda to sell cheap football shirtsAsda will sell Scotland football shirts for £29 following a deal with kit manufacturer Diadora, it has announced.
- 30 Oct 2007TV networks launch YouTube rivalTelevision networks NBC and Fox are set to launch an online video site that hosts programming from various entertainment companies in a bid to seize viewers from Google's YouTube.
- 30 Oct 2007One in 15 cars uninsuredAlmost one in 15 cars on Britain's roads is being driven while uninsured, new government figures show.
- 30 Oct 2007How to claim a payment protection refundIf you've got a mortgage, have borrowed money or bought something on credit, check whether you're paying for payment protection insurance (PPI) you don't need, Which? warns today.
- 30 Oct 2007One million join Sky broadbandSky has announced it’s signed up 1 million customers to its broadband service.
- 30 Oct 2007Petrol prices pass £1 a litrePetrol prices have broken through the £1-a-litre mark in some parts of the UK amid warnings that prices will continue to rise.
- 30 Oct 2007Post Office launches broadband dealsThe Post Office has launched a new broadband service aimed at older customers and those who prefer to pay by cash.
- 29 Oct 20073 launches Skype mobileMobile company 3 has unveiled a new handset which allows you to make free calls over the internet to people with Skype.
- 29 Oct 2007Study finds organic food is healthierA multi-million pound study has found that some organic food has more nutrients in it than ordinary food.
- 29 Oct 2007Out-of-hours care 'inadequate and inflexible'People are being forced to turn up at hospitals because the existing system of out-of-hours care is ‘largely inadequate and inflexible’, says a new report.
- 29 Oct 2007Stolen mobiles blocked within a dayMobile companies have stepped up the fight against phone theft by reducing the time it takes to block stolen handsets.
- 29 Oct 2007Sony launches 4GB digital cameraSony has unveiled a new eye-catching Cyber-shot T2 digital camera which comes with a huge memory capable of storing thousands of pictures.
- 27 Oct 2007EU urged to toughen toy safety lawsAn MEP has called for tougher EU-wide laws to tackle imports of potentially dangerous toys.
- 27 Oct 2007Blender recalled over electric shock fearA Wahl hand blender has been recalled over fears it could give users an electric shock.
- 27 Oct 2007Royal Mail stops Sunday collectionsRoyal Mail is to stop Sunday collections from post boxes and business from tomorrow.
- 26 Oct 2007New cars and hot deals, 26th October 2007
- 25 Oct 2007Which? uncovers dodgy omega 3 claimsSome food companies are cashing in on the hype surrounding omega 3 by making confusing claims about the nutrient, Which? says today.
- 25 Oct 2007Need a plumber? Ask Which? membersFinding a good builder or plumber can be tricky and time-consuming - but now Which? has launched a site where members can get local recommendations from each other.
- 25 Oct 2007Which? probes cold-calling car sellersMotorists wanting to sell their car should be wary of cold-calling companies offering to do the work for them, Which? warns.
- 25 Oct 2007Haggling over electricals can save cashHigh-street shoppers could save hundreds of pounds on electrical goods by doing a little homework online beforehand, Which? has found.
- 25 Oct 2007Curbs on foreign food aim to cut emmissionsFood flown into the UK must meet more stringent trade standards or face being stripped of organic status, according to proposals released today.
- 25 Oct 2007Drawing your password is on the wayPeople who struggle to remember passwords and personal identification numbers will draw pictures on a screen instead, scientists said yesterday.
- 25 Oct 2007Government accused over roaming chargesThe government joined forces with mobile-phone companies to keep the price of international mobile phone calls high, according to The Times.
- 25 Oct 2007Gardeners urged to be wildlife-friendlyHouseholders are being urged to transform their gardens to make them havens for wildlife.
- 25 Oct 2007LG unveils 32-inch plasma TVKorean company LG Electronics (LG) is launching a 32-inch plasma TV later this month which it says will be the smallest and slimmest plasma TV available.
- 25 Oct 2007Energy-saving bulbs can save cashLow-energy light bulbs may be more expensive than traditional bulbs but in the long run they work out cheaper, Which? reveals today
- 25 Oct 2007Don't buy this M&S TV, says Which?Which? has named a £549 Marks & Spencer (M&S) TV as one of the worst HDTVs we've tested this year.
- 24 Oct 2007Cyber criminals 'becoming more sophisticated'Cyber criminals are stepping up the fight to steal your personal information, according to a new report from Microsoft.
- 24 Oct 2007Virgin Media bolsters TV line-upVirgin Media has announced a number of new kids, entertainment and movie channels are joining its TV line-up.
- 24 Oct 2007Dettol criticised over chopping board advertA Dettol commercial which claimed chopping boards harbour 50 times more bacteria than toilet seats has been criticised by advertising watchdogs.
- 24 Oct 2007Travellers will pay new levy next summerEvery package holidaymaker will pay a £1 levy to protect their trips from April next year.
- 24 Oct 2007New home owners to be surveyedOne thousand new-build home owners are to take part in a survey as part of a probe into the £20 billion a year industry.
- 24 Oct 2007Lamb recalled in drug scareBatches of lamb have been pulled from supermarket shelves because they may contain traces of a potentially dangerous veterinary drug.
- 23 Oct 2007New hob reacts to the size of the pan placed on itHobs which react to the size of the pans placed on them feature in a new range of ‘technically advanced’ built-in appliances.
- 23 Oct 2007Hosepipe ban rules overhauledHosepipe restrictions introduced during times of drought are to be overhauled to plug existing loopholes, the government has said.
- 23 Oct 2007Sainsbury's to give away low energy lightbulbsStore chain Sainsbury's is to give away one million energy saving light bulbs - the amount it normally sells in a year, it said today.
- 23 Oct 2007Hybrid car market growing in the UKDemand for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) such as the Toyota Prius is growing dramatically in the UK, according to the latest sales figures.
- 23 Oct 2007Supermarkets urged to curb packagingSupermarkets must act to reduce excessive packaging or Britain will fail to meet its recycling targets, a new report warns today.
- 23 Oct 2007Tesco withdraws its jaffa cakesSupermarket giant Tesco has withdrawn all batches of its own-brand jaffa cakes because of an allergy scare.
- 22 Oct 2007Switch now before the cold weather hitsHouseholders should take ten minutes to switch to a cheaper energy tariff before the cold weather hits, Which?’s dedicated switching site advises today.
- 22 Oct 2007Survey reveals health complaints concernSome people are afraid of complaining about their medical treatment in case it affects their future care, a new Which? survey has revealed.
- 22 Oct 2007DIY sector grows following declineA new report predicts a fragile recovery for the UK’s DIY & gardening sector after two years of falling sales.
- 20 Oct 2007Tropicana recalls batch of orange juiceA batch of orange juice has been recalled after customers complained of an unpleasant smell and taste.
- 20 Oct 2007Stores braced for soaring food and drink salesSupermarkets are braced for soaring sales of alcohol and snack food as fans stock up ahead of England's rugby final.
- 20 Oct 2007Website offers DNA genealogy serviceA family history website is offering the ultimate in social networking - the chance to track down unknown relatives using DNA tests.
- 20 Oct 2007SFO reviewing GMTV phone-in evidenceThe Serious Fraud Office is reviewing evidence from media watchdog Ofcom in the GMTV phone-in scandal, it said.
- 19 Oct 2007ITV to pay millions over phone-in scandalITV has admitted that it owes £7.8 million to viewers stung by a series of TV phone-in scandals.
- 19 Oct 2007'Shocking' salt levels found in fast foodSome meals at popular fast food chains contain 'shockingly high' salt levels, a new study claims.
- 19 Oct 2007BT opts for wind farmsBT is planning to build a series of wind farms that will meet 25% of its UK electricity needs by 2016, the telecoms company has announced.
- 19 Oct 2007Campaign to tackle OAP accidentsAn initiative has been launched to tackle the ‘astonishing’ number of accidents in which older people are injured or killed at home.
- 19 Oct 2007New cars and hot deals, 19th October 2007New 1.8 turbo brings ?26k entry point for A5 range
- 18 Oct 2007Flight delays continue to riseClose to a third of all flights in spring this year were delayed, the latest figures reveal.
- 18 Oct 2007Britons turning to self-diagnosisBritons are increasingly turning to self-diagnosis kits to check their health, new figures suggest.
- 18 Oct 2007Social networking predicted to slowGlobal membership of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace will reach 230 million by the end of the year, says a report out today.
- 18 Oct 2007Which? to advise on Personal Accounts schemeThe government has said that consumer groups will be given a key role in advising on the introduction of its new Personal Accounts.
- 18 Oct 2007Health Check reveals NHS trust failingsThe annual review of all NHS trusts in England has exposed ‘disgraceful’ failings in the NHS, Which? says today.
- 18 Oct 2007MySpace offers Skype callsMillions of members of MySpace will be able to make free calls to each other after the social networking site announced a deal with internet phone firm Skype.
- 18 Oct 2007Subaru unveils Impreza WRX STiJapanese car maker Subaru has unveiled pictures of its new, top-of-the-range Impreza WRX STi.
- 17 Oct 2007BBC signs Wi-Fi and iPlayer dealsWeb surfers can now log on to the BBC website for free at airports, coffee shops and thousands of other Wi-Fi hot spots around the UK.
- 17 Oct 2007Maggots found in school dinnerParasites were found in a school dinner served to pupils.
- 17 Oct 2007Older people confused over care home feesOlder people are paying as much as £30,000 a year for a room in a care home without knowing exactly what they're paying for, says a report out today.
- 17 Oct 2007YouTube's new copyright filtersOnline video leader YouTube has rolled out technology to automatically remove copyrighted clips, hoping to placate film and television studios fed up with persistent piracy problems.
- 17 Oct 2007Ad watchdog slams Special K adA TV commercial for Kellogg’s Special K Sustain has been criticised by advertising watchdogs for misleading viewers over the cereal’s protein content.
- 17 Oct 2007Credit cards used to pay mortgage and rentMore than one million households have resorted to using credit cards to pay their mortgage or rent during the past year, research showed today.
- 17 Oct 2007Obesity epidemic will 'take decades to reverse'Britain’s spiralling obesity problem will take at least 30 years to reverse, a new study has predicted.
- 17 Oct 2007Millions change energy supplierNew figures show that 2007 has been a record year for customers changing electricity supplier with nearly three million switching so far.
- 16 Oct 2007Inquiry into Wi-Fi health risks launchedThe government is to carry out a study into the health effects of wireless (Wi-Fi) computer networks.
- 16 Oct 2007T-Mobile launches pay-per-day broadbandPhone giant T-Mobile has announced it is to launch pay-per-day mobile broadband service for its customers from the start of next month.
- 16 Oct 2007Which? issues obesity challenge to governmentWhich? has called on the government to tackle the obesity crisis by introducing a 9pm watershed for junk food ads on TV within three months.
- 16 Oct 2007A third of energy bill 'wasted'A third of the money UK householders spend heating their home is being wasted because of poor insulation, a new report has warned.
- 16 Oct 2007UK prepares for digital TV switchoverBritain will begin the switchover to digital TV during the early hours of tomorrow morning when Whitehaven in Cumbria becomes the first place to lose an analogue TV signal.
- 16 Oct 2007Affluent consumers drinking at 'hazardous' levelsExperts have warned of the dangers of routine over-consumption of alcohol as new figures were published showing people in relatively affluent areas are more likely to be drinking at levels considered 'hazardous' to health.
- 15 Oct 2007NHS dental system 'failing patients'Many NHS dental patients are being forced to go private, refusing treatment due to high costs or 'doing it themselves', according to a damning new study.
- 15 Oct 2007Seeds withdrawn in salmonella scareHealth food chain Holland and Barrett has withdrawn a batch of its Nature’s Harvest sesame seeds after they were found to contain the potentially lethal bug salmonella.
- 15 Oct 2007Bogus prize draws dupe thousandsConsumers have once again been warned to stay clear of bogus prize draws after more than 60,000 were duped by the latest misleading mailings to hit the UK.
- 15 Oct 2007Tourists warned over holiday club scamsTrading standards officers (TSOs) are blitzing a number of UK airports this month to warn holidaymakers not get ripped off by Spanish holiday scams.
- 15 Oct 2007Britons are Facebook fanaticsBritons spend more time surfing social networking sites than anyone else in Europe, according to the latest figures.
- 13 Oct 2007Parking device gives bird's eye view of carA new car parking device that gives drivers a 360-degree bird's eye view of their vehicle has been unveiled.
- 13 Oct 2007Dark chocolate outsells milk varietyDark chocolate is now outselling milk chocolate at one UK food chain.
- 12 Oct 2007Airline check-in via mobile phones moves closerMoves to make air travel more eco-friendly by allowing passengers to check in using their mobile phone have come a step closer.
- 12 Oct 2007Downloads and DVDs to revive flagging sectorSales of next-generation DVDs and digital downloads are set to boost the beleaguered music and video retail sector, industry analysts are predicting.
- 12 Oct 2007New cars and hot deals, 12th October 2007Now that the 57-plate rush has died off a bit there are deals all over the place, both with online retailers and with the dealers. Here are some that caught our eye.
- 12 Oct 2007Welsh Water fined over bug outbreakA water company has been fined £60,000 for supplying water which made hundreds of its customers ill.
- 12 Oct 2007DIY disasters cost homeowners millionsBritons are causing £350 million worth of damage to their homes by trying to copy work they've seen on television DIY shows, a new survey has shown.
- 11 Oct 2007ISPs quizzed over slow broadbandBritain’s top internet service providers (ISPs) have been asked to explain why consumers often don't get advertised broadband connection speeds.
- 11 Oct 2007Website highlights benefits of greener fridgesA new website has been launched to help convince consumers to ditch energy-guzzling white goods in favour of more efficient models.
- 11 Oct 2007UK drinking less alcoholAlcohol consumption in the UK has fallen for the second year running, a pub industry body said today.
- 11 Oct 2007Prime Minister appeals over flood coverGordon Brown has appealed to insurers not to deny cover to people at risk of flooding as he insisted that differences between the government and the industry over spending on defences were 'very small'.
- 11 Oct 2007Sainsbury's switches to Fairtrade tea and coffeeSainsbury'swill convert its entire range of own-brand tea and ground coffee to Fairtrade over the next three years, it has announced.
- 11 Oct 2007The cost of pester powerParents who give in to pester power spend on average £7.28 per week on extra food treats for their youngsters, a new poll says.
- 11 Oct 2007NHS trust slammed over superbug tragedyPolice were today considering whether to launch an investigation into failings at a healthcare trust where 90 patients died in superbug outbreaks blamed on appalling hygiene standards.
- 11 Oct 2007Cheap trainers 'just as good as pricier pairs'Runners have been warned that shelling out on expensive trainers may not be worth the money.
- 11 Oct 2007One drink a day 'safe' for pregnant womenPregnant women can safely drink a small glass of wine each day, official advice is set to say.
- 10 Oct 2007Which? ad now on YouTubeThe latest TV advert from Which? is now on the YouTube video-sharing website.
- 10 Oct 2007Treasury extends Northern Rock guaranteeCrisis-hit Northern Rock was granted fresh guarantees over savers' cash from the Treasury yesterday while the mortgage lender attempts to thrash out a rescue deal.
- 10 Oct 2007Music as you snoozeHelp may be at hand for insomniacs thanks to a pillow which features an inbuilt speaker.
- 10 Oct 2007Police force league table publishedBedfordshire is the worst-performing police force in England and Wales, according to new figures from the Home Office.
- 10 Oct 2007Third of poor households are uninsuredMore than a third of the poorest households in Britain have no insurance at all, a new report has warned.
- 10 Oct 2007Wind turbine leaflet broke advertising rulesAn Npower newsletter promoting wind power broke advertising rules because its carbon offset claim was inaccurate, a watchdog ruled today.
- 10 Oct 2007Hi-tech toys tipped for Christmas successHi-tech toys are set to dominate children’s Christmas lists this year, according to the toy industry.
- 10 Oct 2007Passenger air tax switched to planesAir travel is to be taxed by plane rather than by passenger to encourage more efficient use of planes.
- 10 Oct 2007Sense about Science 'unmasks' food claimsA report out today outlines a group of scientists’ efforts to get hold of the evidence behind ‘misleading and pseudoscientific’ product claims.
- 09 Oct 2007Expectant mums need individual midwifeMedical experts have urged that all expectant mothers receive individual care from a midwife.
- 09 Oct 2007Drink-drive limit should be cutSafety campaigners have urged for a cut in the alcohol limit to curb drink-driving deaths.
- 09 Oct 2007Poor 'pay more' for energyPoorer householders are being charged more for their energy via prepayment meters, a trade body has said.
- 09 Oct 2007Woman wins trip to Athens...BirminghamA radio listener won a competition to visit Athens - only to find it was the name of a Greek restaurant in Birmingham.
- 09 Oct 2007NHS failing to deal with patient complaintsA damning report highlighting failures in the way NHS trusts handle patients’ complaints has confirmed that raising problems can be bad for your health, Which? says today.
- 09 Oct 2007Nissan unveils talking carNissan has unveiled an electric concept car with a rotating cabin that’s means you'll never have to reverse again.
- 09 Oct 2007Kensington is ID fraud hotspotPeople who live in the London borough of Kensington are almost five times more likely to become victims of identity fraud than those living in the rest of the UK, says a new report.
- 08 Oct 2007Sony announces £299 PS3Sony will launch a new 40GB version of its Playstation 3 (PS3) on Wednesday and has also cut the price of the original 60GB model.
- 08 Oct 2007Airport offers real-time traffic infoTravellers landing at Gatwick airport can get real-time information on their onward road journey from today.
- 08 Oct 2007Warning over protecting personal detailsNational Identity Fraud Prevention Week (NIFPW) begins today with a warning that 8 out of 10 people are careless with their personal details.
- 08 Oct 2007Drivers fail to keep spare set of keysAs many as 10% of drivers do not have a spare set of car keys, a survey reveals.
- 08 Oct 2007M&S bans imported white vealA leading retailer is banning imported white veal and calves' liver from its stores, it announced today.
- 08 Oct 2007Online giants target phishingYahoo!, eBay and PayPal have joined forces to help protect online shoppers from being ripped off by ‘phishing’ emails.
- 08 Oct 2007Wispa chocolate bar is back on shop shelvesConsumer power sees the Cadbury Wispa back on sale today after a four year absence.
- 06 Oct 2007Celebrity chefs send game sales soaringTraditional game meat is enjoying a popularity upturn, a retailer said today.
- 06 Oct 2007Vauxhall issues handbrake warningVauxhall is issuing some owners with a warning label, following complaints from owners that their cars' handbrakes are not secure.
- 06 Oct 2007McDonald's to offer free wireless internet accessMcDonald's customers are to get free wireless internet access along with their burgers and fries, the firm announced today.
- 05 Oct 2007Britain low in green league tableDespite attempts to be a world leader on climate change, Britain scores badly in a league of countries' green credentials, a study claimed today.
- 05 Oct 2007Which? launches 'Impatient for Change'Which? launches its newImpatient for Change campaign today to call on politicians and the NHS to stop talking and start listening to patients and take action.
- 05 Oct 2007New cars and hot deals, 5th October 20071 Series drop-top promises plenty of poke
- 05 Oct 2007New warning on mass marketing scamsOne in ten adults in the UK has been the victim of mass marketing fraud, it was claimed today.
- 04 Oct 2007Watchdog slams airports over queuesThe UK's two biggest airports have 'acted against the public interest' in failing to manage security queueing so as to avoid unacceptable delays, the Competition Commission said yesterday.
- 04 Oct 2007Male drivers 'have worse crashes'A survey out today suggests that men have major motoring crashes while women have more minor scrapes.
- 04 Oct 2007Bath products for eczema questionedSpecialist bath products which claim to relieve the symptoms of allergic eczema are of 'questionable value', a new report suggests.
- 03 Oct 2007ID fraud victims not using precautionsIdentity fraud victims are easy prey for thieves because they're failing to learn from their experience, says research out today.
- 03 Oct 2007Homeowners get free boiler adviceHomeowners can now get a free energy rating for their boiler when it’s next serviced, and free advice on cutting fuel bills.
- 03 Oct 2007Smoothie ad rapped by watchdogAn advert promoting the detoxifying and health-boosting effects of an Innocent smoothie broke industry rules, the ad watchdog said today.
- 03 Oct 2007House of Lords hears card cover appealCredit card companies have gone to the House of Lords to try to overturn a ruling which gives British shoppers protection when they use their credit cards abroad.
- 03 Oct 2007Hands-free DVD chip announcedA new computer chip will allow users to control DVD playback by simply waving their hands around.
- 03 Oct 2007Mazda unveils hydrogen eco-carJapanese car manufacturer Mazda has unveiled a car that runs on hydrogen.
- 03 Oct 2007Card fraud abroad has doubledOverseas card fraud more than doubled during the first half of the year as new security measures in the UK forced criminals to use cards abroad.
- 02 Oct 2007Cervical cancer vaccine launchedA new vaccine which aims to offer protection against cervical cancer is launched in the UK today.
- 02 Oct 2007Junk food ad ban success questionedWhich? has questioned advertising industry claims that kids are watching fewer junk food adverts.
- 02 Oct 2007What are your kids doing online?Parents have been told that they need to catch up with how their children are spending their time online.
- 02 Oct 2007DVD aims to boost breast cancer detectionAn instructional DVD showing women how to check themselves for the early signs of breast cancer has been launched.
- 02 Oct 2007Reforms to protect savers are unveiledPrime Minister Gordon Brown and Chancellor Alistair Darling have unveiled reforms designed to protect savers in the event of the collapse of a bank.
- 02 Oct 2007Public asked on post office closuresPublic consultations have begun on plans to close 2,500 post offices across the UK.
- 02 Oct 2007Sony's new TV is thin as a coinJapanese electronics giant Sony has unveiled a TV with a screen as thin as a coin.
- 01 Oct 2007Virgin Media launches new TV channelVirgin Media Television’s new entertainment channel is set to launch tonight.
- 01 Oct 2007Virgin launches new TV channelVirgin Media is launching a brand new TV channel tonight which it hopes will beat Sky One in the ratings war.
- 01 Oct 2007Digital TV advice service launchesA new online postcode checker has been launched to provide UK viewers with more information about the switch to digital television in their area.
