News in April 2007
- 30 Apr 2007Online traders warned of tax risksPeople who regularly trade on online auction sites have been warned to take care to stay on the right side of the tax authorities.
- 30 Apr 2007Survey reveals HDTV confusionA Which? survey has revealed many members remain confused about exactly what equipment you need to watch high definition TV (HDTV).
- 30 Apr 2007EDF Energy slashes gas billsPower firm EDF Energy finally joined the price war in the sector today after slashing gas bills for customers by more than 10 per cent.
- 30 Apr 2007Health warning over wireless latopsChildren should be discouraged from putting their laptops on their lap when using wireless internet connections because of potential health risks, an expert has warned.
- 30 Apr 2007Asda launches 'macho sun creams'Masculine scents are being added to sun creams to encourage men to protect their skin.
- 30 Apr 2007BBC announces 'TV on demand' planFinal plans for a new service which could revolutionise TV viewing by providing programmes on demand were announced by the BBC Trust today.
- 29 Apr 2007Government should get health basics right firstAs it approaches a decade in power the government seems to have forgotten the day to day health care issues affecting everyday lives, Which? says today.
- 28 Apr 2007United front for tougher codes to protect childrenTen organisations have joined forces today to write to the government urging it to tighten new advertising rules to ensure children are protected from irresponsible food marketing tricks.
- 28 Apr 2007Inquiry recommended into Sky stake in ITVThe Office of Fair Trading has recommended that BSkyB's acquisition of a 17.9 per cent stake in rival broadcaster ITV be referred to the Competition Commission.
- 28 Apr 2007BBC and ITV to launch free-to-air digital serviceThe BBC Trust has approved the launch of a free-to-air satellite service with ITV.
- 27 Apr 2007Don't get stuck with a pramful of junkNew parents shouldn't be fooled into thinking they need a vast array of items for their new baby, according to a new Which? essential guide.
- 27 Apr 2007Hike in BA fuel surcharge for long haul flightsBritish Airways is to increase its fuel surcharge on long-haul flights from next week, it was announced today.
- 27 Apr 2007Test to prove geographic source of mineral waterA new test can prove the geographic origin of mineral water according to scientists.
- 27 Apr 2007Brits spend £51 billion to keep cars on roadBritish motorists spend more than £51 billion a year just to keep their vehicles on the road, according to a new survey.
- 27 Apr 2007MPs criticise prescription plan for flu remediesProposals to make some popular flu remedies prescription-only due to fears they’re being used to make an illegal Class A drug have been attacked by MPs.
- 27 Apr 2007Minister defends fortnightly bin collectionsThe government has defended ‘alternate’ rubbish collections amid growing concerns that they encourage rats and disease.
- 26 Apr 2007Yahoo! launches song lyrics databaseMusic fans searching out the lyrics to their favourite song can now take advantage of a new feature from internet giant Yahoo!
- 26 Apr 2007Government 'bottling out' on cosmetic regulationNews that the government is going to allow the cosmetic surgery industry to police itself has been criticised by Which?.
- 26 Apr 2007British Gas cuts fuel bills againBritish Gas owner Centrica today cut prices for a second time this year, with electricity tariffs falling by 6 per cent and gas bills down by 3 per cent.
- 26 Apr 2007Phone watchdog warning on 0871 numbersCallers dialling 0871 numbers should be refunded if they are kept on hold too long by call centres, an industry watchdog has said.
- 26 Apr 2007OFT widens bank charges probeThe government has today announced a wide-ranging investigation into the charges banks impose on their customers.
- 25 Apr 2007Children 'eat more after watching food adverts'Obese and overweight children who watch food adverts on TV more than double their food intake afterwards, new research suggests.
- 25 Apr 2007Branson announces 'greener' plane deal
- 25 Apr 2007Minister voices 'crystal meth' medicine fearsMinisters are considering making some over-the-counter flu remedies prescription-only following growing concerns that decongestants in them are being used in the illegal manufacture of a highly addictive Class A drug.
- 25 Apr 2007Identity fraud cases up 12 per centCases of identity fraud in the first quarter of this year were up 12 per cent on 2006, according to the latest figures.
- 25 Apr 2007Insurance firms warned over cold callingInsurance firms have been warned to improve their standards when it comes to cold calling and to stop pressurising customers into making rushed decisions.
- 24 Apr 2007Air passengers warned over battery fire riskAviation chiefs have warned passengers of the dangers of badly-packed batteries and battery-powered devices on planes.
- 24 Apr 2007Energy customers urged to switchTwo energy firms are under pressure to cut bills after regulator Ofgem said their prices were lagging behind rival operators.
- 24 Apr 2007GMTV chief says sorry to viewersThe managing director of GMTV has apologised to viewers who may have paid to enter phone in competitions which they had no chance of winning.
- 24 Apr 2007Designer bags on sale for a fiverDesigner bags which sold on eBay for up to £175 will go on sale in supermarkets for £5.
- 23 Apr 2007Freeview to launch digital recorderFreeview is preparing to launch a digital television recorder to rival BSkyB’s Sky Plus set-top box.
- 23 Apr 2007GMTV denies phone-in 'fraud' claimsGMTV attempted to reassure viewers on air today that its competitions were run fairly, after claims that people entering the breakfast show's phone-in quizzes were being fleeced out of money.
- 23 Apr 2007New laws target 'ambulance chasers'Moves to regulate claims management companies - often accused of being 'ambulance chasers' - come into force today.
- 23 Apr 2007Airlines losing millions to fraudOne in five airlines have admitted cases of internal abuse of passengers' personal details, a survey on aviation fraud revealed today.
- 23 Apr 2007Cadbury facing salmonella scare prosecutionCadbury will be prosecuted over a salmonella scare in which a million chocolate bars were recalled, it was revealed today.
- 21 Apr 2007X Factor escapes phone votes fineThe X Factor has been reprimanded by phone watchdog Icstis after overcharging viewers £200,000 in an interactive phone blunder.
- 20 Apr 2007Strawberry daiquiri is latest 'health' drinkThe strawberry daiquiri could soon get a new lease of life - as a health drink.
- 20 Apr 2007Energy watchdog condemns estimate gas billsBritish Gas has seen a surge in complaints since it introduced a new billing system, an energy watchdog said.
- 20 Apr 2007Peruvian treasures for everyoneA new generation of the exotic lily alstroemeria means anyone can enjoy the ‘Aston Martin’ of the garden, says Gardening Which? today.
- 20 Apr 2007Bulldog broadband customer details stolenAround 100,000 internet users have had their personal details stolen from broadband provider Bulldog.
- 19 Apr 2007Day ban for Sainsbury's disposable carrier bagsA supermarket chain is banning disposable carrier bags for a day in a bid to reduce waste.
- 19 Apr 2007WH Smith to open in-store post officesWH Smith today unveiled plans to open post offices within 70 of its high street stores.
- 19 Apr 2007Concern as speeding drivers evade actionMotoring groups today expressed concern that hundreds of thousands of drivers are not being prosecuted for speed and red-light camera offences.
- 19 Apr 2007HRT linked to ovarian cancer riskA thousand British women may have died from ovarian cancer since 1991 because they had hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- 19 Apr 2007Toys top list of withdrawn goodsToys topped the list of dangerous consumer goods taken off the European market on safety grounds last year, a report revealed today.
- 19 Apr 2007Freeview overtakes SkyFreeview says it has overtaken BSkyB to become the main digital TV service in 8.2 million homes.
- 18 Apr 2007DVD player to 'end format confusion'The world's first DVD player compatible with two rival disc formats is set to launch in the UK.
- 18 Apr 2007Drivers 'feel guilty' about city motoringAlmost 20 per cent of motorists experience 'green guilt' about driving in cities, according to a survey out today.
- 18 Apr 2007Sonic mosquito repellents 'don't work'Electronic mosquito repellents that are supposed to drive the insects away with high-pitched sounds do not work, researchers said today.
- 18 Apr 2007Britons head abroad for health treatmentMedical tourism is on the increase as more Britons go abroad for treatments, new research says.
- 18 Apr 2007Two cautioned for Wi-Fi theftTwo people have been cautioned for using wireless broadband connections without permission, police said today.
- 18 Apr 2007Rail firm defends £55 parking chargeNetwork Rail has today defended its policy of charging motorists £55 for a four-hour stay at one of the country's main railway stations.
- 17 Apr 2007Hayfever medication warning for driversHayfever sufferers on medication have admitted losing concentration while driving, according to a new report today.
- 17 Apr 2007Music players bring sound of the sea to lifeCustomers at a top British restaurant will listen to iPods while tucking into their food.
- 17 Apr 2007Tesco unveils profits of £4,800 a minuteSupermarket giant Tesco today underlined its dominance after posting record profits of £2.55 billion - equivalent to more than £4,800 a minute.
- 17 Apr 2007New claims of fish fraudShoppers are being duped into paying more for intensively farmed fish which is labelled as wild, it has been claimed.
- 17 Apr 2007Pound hits two dollar markHolidaymakers heading for the US are likely to hit the shops after the pound hit the two dollar mark for the first time in nearly 15 years.
- 16 Apr 2007Which? launches online cosmetic surgery guideWhich? is launching the ultimate online guide to cosmetic treatments after our research revealed almost five million Britons would consider going under the knife to improve their looks.
- 16 Apr 2007Road charging would force one in five to quit carMore than 20 per cent of drivers would leave their cars at home and take public transport if road-charging schemes became more common, a poll out today showed.
- 16 Apr 2007Raise drinking age to 21, says think tankYoung people should be banned from drinking until they reach 21 or be forced to carry a card that records their alcohol intake, a think tank columnist claims today.
- 16 Apr 2007Eating bacon 'may damage your health'Scientists in the US say eating cured meat can damage the lungs in the same way as emphysema.
- 14 Apr 2007Costly desalination plans droppedPlans to alleviate water shortages by making sea water drinkable have been abandoned as too expensive.
- 14 Apr 2007Survey reveals TV picture quality confusionMore than a third of Which? members who don't own an LCD or plasma screen TV think they offer much better picture quality than they actually do, a new survey reveals.
- 13 Apr 2007End to royalties row boosts Beatles download hopesThe Beatles have settled a £30 million royalties row with music giant EMI in a move which could pave the way for legal downloads of the band's hits.
- 13 Apr 2007Ryanair plans £7 US flightsLow-cost airline Ryanair has said it is planning flights to the US from the UK for less than £7.
- 13 Apr 2007Virgin goes to court in Sky disputeVirgin Media has launched High Court proceedings against arch rival BSkyB in an attempt to resolve its dispute over carrying basic Sky channels.
- 13 Apr 2007Pot Noodle recalled over hot liquid leak riskHundreds of thousands of Pot Noodles have been pulled from shelves because they might leak hot liquid.
- 12 Apr 2007Britain a nation of spud loversBritons get through £855 million worth of fresh potatoes a year - more than dry pasta and rice put together, a report out today says.
- 12 Apr 20074x4 drivers face parking charge hikeHigher parking permit charges for gas-guzzling vehicles could be introduced by another major local authority.
- 12 Apr 2007Firm recalls milkshake amid safety scareSome 26,000 bottles of strawberry milkshake flavouring are being recalled in a safety scare.
- 12 Apr 2007Bank services for rich customers onlyA bank is to launch a 'premier' branch where only the wealthiest customers will be allowed face-to-face services.
- 12 Apr 2007Budget airline offers low cost New York flightsUK budget airline Zoom sparked a possible transatlantic air fares war today by announcing a London-New York service starting at £129 one-way.
- 12 Apr 2007Euro MPs back caps on mobile roaming chargesA proposal to cap roaming charges for mobile phone calls made abroad has been backed by a key committee of the European Parliament
- 12 Apr 2007Microsoft warns of PC hijacking riskWindows users risk having their PC hijacked unless they download the latest security patches from Microsoft.
- 11 Apr 2007Record number of trips abroad from the UKPeople in the UK are travelling abroad more than ever before, a new report says.
- 11 Apr 2007New homes are getting smaller says new reportNew homes in the UK are getting smaller in the face of rising demand, a new report says.
- 11 Apr 2007Online firms drive down car insurance premiumsThe typical motorist saw the cost of car insurance fall slightly in the first months of this year after a record high at the end of 2006, figures today revealed.
- 11 Apr 2007Diabetics call for more help with conditionThe largest ever survey of diabetes care in England has found most diabetics receive an annual check-up, but many would like more help to manage their condition.
- 11 Apr 2007Home energy monitors to help cut power useMonitors showing the real-time cost of electricity use are to be provided free to homes across the UK in a bid to tackle climate change, ministers announced today.
- 11 Apr 2007New food ad rules to protect children's healthNew curbs on food and drink adverts were announced today in response to rising levels of childhood obesity - but Which? says they are a missed opportunity.
- 10 Apr 2007Apple notches up 100 million iPod salesOne hundred million iPods have been sold worldwide, Apple said today.
- 10 Apr 2007Lightweight whisky bottle launchedA whisky bottle believed to be the lightest on the market is set to launch in the UK.
- 10 Apr 2007Homebuyers 'swayed by green features'Environmentally friendly features are more likely to attract homebuyers than more 'traditional' home improvement, according to a report out today.
- 06 Apr 2007AOL users complain of disappearing emailsInternet provider AOL has left customers fuming after failing to explain the disappearance of their saved emails.
- 06 Apr 2007Which? scores airbag test victoryThe European crash-test organisation has agreed to change its scoring system after Which? found some airbags could cause facial injuries before they have fully inflated.
- 05 Apr 2007Sugar content on labels is confusing, says Which?Sugar can be found in all kinds of foods but it's not always easy to tell how much from the labelling, according to new research by Which?
- 05 Apr 2007People don't know where to get out-of-hours careAs GP surgeries prepare to shut down for four days over the Easter weekend, new research from Which? shows that many people don’t know where to go for out-of-hours care.
- 05 Apr 2007Chocolate cheese hits the shelvesA rich new cheese which combines white stilton with Belgian chocolate is launching in the UK.
- 05 Apr 2007Which? launches new awards schemeFor the first time in it’s 50 year history, this summer consumer champion Which? will present awards for the UK’s best products, services and companies.
- 05 Apr 2007Cream cakes top buy for sweet toothed BritsSweet-toothed consumers have boosted sales of cream cakes and other chilled desserts, a report out today says.
- 05 Apr 2007Cameras under the spotlight as limits exceededThe success of speed cameras was put under the spotlight today when official figures showed that more car drivers exceeded 40mph limits on built-up roads last year than in 2005.
- 04 Apr 2007Bank customers annoyed by low interest ratesLow interest rates on current and savings accounts is the main complaint people have about their banks, according to a Which? Money survey published today.
- 04 Apr 2007New 'supersized' beans go on saleBranston is launching cans of "supersize" beans which are around 50 per cent bigger than usual.
- 04 Apr 2007Hospital phone line charges to soarThe cost to patients of making telephone calls from their hospital bed is to increase by 160 per cent today.
- 04 Apr 2007Xbox 360 TV commercial banned by ASAA TV commercial for the Xbox 360 games console broke advertising rules by glamorising street car racing, said the industry watchdog.
- 03 Apr 2007iTunes launches premium download serviceOnline music store iTunes has launched a new 'premium download' service allowing users to play tracks on any digital music player.
- 03 Apr 2007Virgin Media unveils new set top boxVirgin Media has announced plans to launch a Freeview-style set top box.
- 03 Apr 2007Sun loving Brits double skin cancer riskA third of young Britons will double their chance of getting the most fatal form of skin cancer this summer because they are set to burn on the beach, according to a poll out today.
- 03 Apr 2007Speed camera rules 'vary massively'The way speed cameras are set up to catch drivers varies 'massively' around the country, researchers have found.
- 03 Apr 2007Over 50 per cent of Britons have broadbandMore than half of UK adults now have broadband at home, according to the latest report from telecoms regulator Ofcom.
- 03 Apr 2007EU launches iTunes price probeWhich? has welcomed news that the European Commission has opened an antitrust probe into Apple's iTunes and the way it sells music online.
- 02 Apr 2007Call for crackdown on Blue Badge fraudCouncil leaders called today for state-of-the-art solutions to combat a booming black market in disabled parking badges - including the sale of forgeries on e-Bay.
- 02 Apr 2007Warning as water bills risePeople on low incomes will struggle to keep up with this month’s water rate price hikes, according to campaigners.
- 02 Apr 2007Wales gets free prescriptionsPrescriptions have become free in Wales but the rest of the country has seen a 20p rise from £6.65 to £6.85.
- 02 Apr 2007Supermarket giant fights monopoly claimSupermarket giant Tesco today denied it was creating a country of ‘Tesco towns’ as it set out a robust defence to accusations it has a near monopoly of the UK grocery market.
- 01 Apr 2007Which? launches interest charges super complaintWhich? has submitted a super-complaint to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) about the way credit card companies calculate interest charges.
