News in August 2007
- 31 Aug 2007Savlon withdrawn after contamination claimsThousands of tubes of Savlon have been pulled from shop shelves due to alleged contamination by animal rights extremists.
- 31 Aug 2007Car is still transport of choiceThe car is still by far the most popular mode of transport for Britons travelling in their own country, Government statistics showed today.
- 31 Aug 2007Cheque use falls even furtherThe use of cheques fell at its fastest rate ever during 2006, with just under half of consumers no longer using them at all.
- 31 Aug 2007Britons still 'love and loathe' MarmiteMarmite's 'love it or loathe it' status was confirmed when it came both top and bottom of a food magazine poll.
- 30 Aug 2007Which? probe reveals eye test worryAlmost half of eye examinations are poor or very poor quality according to the latest undercover research by Which?
- 30 Aug 2007Motorists given poor quality car safety adviceCar dealers could be putting customers’ safety at risk by giving them poor quality advice, Which? Online reveals today.
- 30 Aug 2007Viewers warned about digital TV rip-offHomeowners are being urged not to get tricked into paying for unnecessary equipment in the run-up to the switchover to digital television.
- 30 Aug 2007Measures to stop doorstep conmen under threatA scheme that has succeeded in stamping down on doorstep conmen could be under threat, Which? has learnt.
- 30 Aug 2007Apple launches TV download serviceApple has launched its television show download service in the UK.
- 30 Aug 2007New cars and hot deals, 31st August 2007New cars and hot deals, 31st August 2007
- 29 Aug 2007One in two drive every dayMost people reckon the UK relies too much on the car yet more than half of adults drive every day, a survey has revealed.
- 29 Aug 2007Britons spend £800 on summer breaksBritons spent an average of more than £800 while on summer breaks this year.
- 29 Aug 2007Credit card companies hiking up chargesCredit card providers are using a whole range of charges to make money from their customers, Which? Money warns today.
- 29 Aug 2007Parents struggle to meet rising school costsThree quarters of parents are finding the rising costs of their child’s school difficult to meet, according to a new survey.
- 29 Aug 2007Survey reveals most households are onlineMore than 15 million UK households now have access to the internet, according to latest statistics.
- 29 Aug 2007Dairylea ad pulled over kid's snack claimsAn advert saying Dairylea Lunchables were 'packed with good stuff' was misleading because they contain on average half a young child's daily salt intake, a watchdog said today.
- 29 Aug 2007Abandoned cosmetic filler victims to take actionWhich? is helping over 50 people to take action to win thousands of pounds in damages after they were abandoned by a cosmetic treatment company.
- 28 Aug 2007Statins ‘cut Alzheimer’s risk by 79 per cent’Experts say they have have found further evidence that cholesterol-lowering drugs can help protect against Alzheimer's disease.
- 28 Aug 2007Co-op to sell ‘naked’ cucumbersA retailer is ditching the plastic shrink-wrap used to package cucumbers in order to be more eco-friendly.
- 28 Aug 2007Hedgehogs included on conservation action listOnce-common UK animals including hedgehogs, house sparrows and harvest mice have been added to a government-approved list of species needing protection.
- 27 Aug 20073 to launch £10 a month broadbandMobile company 3 is set to launch a new service which will allow laptop users to have broadband access for as little as £10 a month.
- 25 Aug 2007Action urged over product safety scaresThe government has been urged to act to restore consumer confidence following a series of high profile product safety scares.
- 25 Aug 2007Petrol stations fall to pre First World War levelsThere are now fewer petrol stations in the UK than at any time since before the First World War, industry figures have revealed.
- 24 Aug 2007Large kitchen tops homebuyers' wishlistA big kitchen with space to dine tops the homebuyers' wish list, according to a new report.
- 24 Aug 2007Blackberries boom despite miserable summerBlackberries are enjoying a popularity surge despite the lack of summer sunshine, a retailer said.
- 24 Aug 2007Broadband popularity speeding awayThe demise of internet dial-up has come a step closer as more people choose broadband, figures showed.
- 24 Aug 2007Motorists driven to distraction by bugsInsects bug motorists so much that 4% of drivers have had an accident trying to avoid them, it was revealed today.
- 24 Aug 2007TV for the PSP in 2008More details have emerged of the tie-up between Sony and Sky which will allow PSP owners to download videos to their consoles.
- 24 Aug 2007Don't mix sun and laser hair removalSunbathing before or after having laser hair removal could damage your skin, Which? warns today.
- 23 Aug 2007New cars and hot deals, 24th August 2007Renault's Megane CC - savings up to £7,000
- 23 Aug 2007Crime plummets following cold-calling crackdownDoorstep crime is plummeting due to a crackdown on cold callers, council leaders have claimed.
- 23 Aug 2007Sony cameras that can detect your smileSony has unveiled two digital cameras which promise to make miserable snaps a thing of the past.
- 23 Aug 2007Mobile phones erode landline useThe growth of mobile phone ownership is continuing to erode landline use, a report out today says.
- 23 Aug 2007'Silver surfers' lead surge in internet useInternet use is increasing, with 'silver surfers' spending more time online than younger users, a report out today said.
- 23 Aug 2007Thieves follow stolen sat nav to driver's homePolice are urging motorists not to leave their journey home programmed into their satellite navigation systems.
- 22 Aug 2007Nissan to introduce fuel efficiency gaugeJapanese car giant Nissan has announced all new models will be fitted with a fuel efficiency gauge in bid to make motorists drive ‘greener’.
- 22 Aug 2007Waitrose recalls products in Listeria scareWaitrose has recalled two of its own brand Scottish salmon products after tests revealed the presence of Listeria.
- 22 Aug 2007Road signs confuse the majority of driversMost drivers do not understand road signs and often rely on guesswork to try to decipher them, according to a survey.
- 22 Aug 2007New 'ethical' shopping bag launchedThe latest 'ethical' bag has been launched in a bid to encourage shoppers to ditch plastic carriers.
- 22 Aug 2007Britons lured by pedal power holidaysIncreasing numbers of Britons are hitting the road for cycling holidays, a report out today says.
- 21 Aug 2007Skype says service back to normalInternet phone service Skype says its service is back up and running after days of disruption.
- 21 Aug 2007Which? warns over cartoon junk food endorsementCompanies that hold the licences for popular cartoon characters could be harming their brands by endorsing unhealthy foods, Which? warns.
- 21 Aug 2007Britons buying record amounts onlineOnline shopping in the UK has reached an all time high – with monthly sales in July breaking the £4 billion barrier for the first time.
- 21 Aug 2007Kellogg's beats Heinz to top grocery brand titleKellogg's has beaten Heinz to be named Britain's biggest-selling grocery brand, figures out today show.
- 21 Aug 2007Unregulated online pharmacies pose drug riskUnregulated online pharmacies could be putting the health of people who buy drugs over the internet at risk, new research suggested.
- 20 Aug 2007Adults buying 'posh squash'Posh squash for adults is enjoying a sales upturn, a retailer said today.
- 20 Aug 2007Motorists 'failing to take adequate breaks'Many motorists are driving long distances without adequate breaks, a survey from the AA shows today.
- 20 Aug 2007Insurers demand flooding reviewBritish insurers have demanded more action over flooding amid fears that even 'normal' rainfall could lead to further deluges.
- 18 Aug 2007Hips scheme extended to three bedroom homesHome Information Packs (Hips) are to be extended to cover three bedroom homes from next month, the government has announced.
- 18 Aug 2007Peer pressure forcing people to overspendPeople are spending thousands of pounds they haven't got trying to keep up with their friends and neighbours, a new report claims.
- 18 Aug 2007Web campaign prompts chocolate bar relaunchCadbury is bringing back the Wispa bar in response to demand from internet campaigners, it said today.
- 18 Aug 2007Variable mortgages more popular than fixed rateMore homeowners are now opting for variable rate mortgages than fixed rate ones as consumers speculate that interest rates may have peaked, figures showed today.
- 17 Aug 2007Quarter of radio listeners make switch to digitalOne quarter of radio listeners now tune in digitally, new figures show.
- 17 Aug 2007Whisky relaunched for new modern marketOne of Scotland's best known whisky brands is being relaunched in an ultra-modern, curvy bottle, it was announced today.
- 17 Aug 2007Bank customers failing to shield PinsOne in five bank customers are flouting safety advice by rarely or never shielding their Pin number at a cash machine, new research has shown.
- 17 Aug 2007Facebook popularity soarsSocial networking site Facebook has seen massive growth in the UK in the past six months, according to the latest figures.
- 17 Aug 2007Games console sector boomingSales of computer games and games consoles are booming according to the latest industry figures.
- 16 Aug 2007New cars and hot deals 17th August 2007Save nearly £6,000 on Audi's monster Q7
- 16 Aug 2007Sony Ericsson unveils new Cyber-shot phoneSony Ericsson has unveiled its new K770 Cyber-shot phone which it claims is a ‘digital camera, a photo album and an elegant phone all in-one.’
- 16 Aug 2007Facebook fraud threat warningSome Facebook users are in danger of being scammed by identity thieves because they're divulging too much personal information online.
- 16 Aug 2007Learner drivers face longer testLearner drivers and motorcyclists are to face a more rigorous test of their motoring knowledge in a bid to improve road safety.
- 16 Aug 2007Two million toys pulled over safety concernsHundreds of thousands of children are saying goodbye to their toys after Mattel recalled nearly two million products sold in the UK and Ireland.
- 15 Aug 2007Nokia warns about 'overheating' mobile batteriesNokia is offering to replace millions of mobile phone batteries after it discovered a problem with some overheating.
- 15 Aug 2007Green light for whole milk adsWhole milk can still be advertised during children's television shows, the food watchdog said.
- 15 Aug 2007RBS launches mobile phone banking serviceThe Royal Bank of Scotland Group has become the latest bank to launch a mobile phone banking service for its customers.
- 15 Aug 2007Computer gamers find love onlineOne in 10 people who regularly play online computer games start a physical relationship with a fellow enthusiast, it was revealed today.
- 14 Aug 2007Wind-up media player launchedThe inventor of the wind-up radio is behind a new eco-friendly portable media player which works along the same lines.
- 14 Aug 2007Friends fall out over loans but keep on borrowingBritons are collectively handing out £510 million in unofficial loans to friends every year, a survey revealed.
- 14 Aug 2007New passport checks foil banking scamsA new passport checking service has prevented criminals conning banks out of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
- 14 Aug 2007Antioxidants 'don't cut chance of heart disease'Key antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables and nuts do not cut the risk of heart disease in those most at risk, researchers said.
- 13 Aug 2007Drivers urged to take care at roadworksMotorists heading off on their summer holidays are being urged to slow down and take care when driving through roadworks.
- 13 Aug 2007Lost baggage claims soaringInsurance claims for lost baggage almost doubled in the first half of this year, according to figures out today.
- 13 Aug 2007Mini-fridges 'use four times as much energy'People buying mini-fridges should be warned they can use up to four times as much energy as a standard fridge, the Liberal Democrats said today.
- 13 Aug 2007Elderly suffering 'mental health crisis'Older people are suffering a mental health crisis, experts said today.
- 13 Aug 2007Ban cars from school to help fight obesityCar exclusion zones should be set up around schools to make families walk as part of a bid to tackle obesity and climate change, a report suggested today.
- 13 Aug 2007Shark capsules in salmonella scarePeople who take shark cartilage capsules have been warned to be on their guard after the potentially lethal bug salmonella was found in certain batches of the capsules in the US.
- 13 Aug 2007Ofcom move could spell end for cable clutterThe days of untidy electronics cables cluttering up the home could be coming to an end after the telecoms watchdog announced a relaxation on rules governing wireless technology in the home.
- 11 Aug 2007Average price of pint breaks £2.50 barrierThe average price of lager in UK pubs has broken the £2.50 per pint barrier for the first time, a poll has found.
- 11 Aug 2007New cars and hot deals, 11th August 2007i30 hatchback arrives soon
- 11 Aug 2007Heinz launches microwave beansHeinz is launching new yogurt pot-style packs of baked beans which cook in the microwave.
- 10 Aug 2007Home buyers will pay more for a gardenHome buyers are prepared to pay an average £10,000 extra to secure a property with a garden, a survey showed today.
- 10 Aug 2007Water companies warned over poor performanceSome water companies are still performing poorly in key areas, the industry regulator has revealed.
- 10 Aug 2007Software firms 'should compensate fraud victims'Software firms should be forced to pay up if their customers fall victim to e-criminals because of security flaws, an influential Parliamentary group said today.
- 10 Aug 2007Airlines complain over BAA airportsCompetition chiefs have received a number of complaints from airlines about the ‘poor quality of service and facilities’ at BAA-run airports, it has emerged.
- 10 Aug 2007Fine for 'unfair' Deal or No Deal phone-inPremium rate phone regulator Icstis has imposed a £30,000 fine over a competition on Channel 4 show Deal Or No Deal.
- 10 Aug 2007Lager sales 'losing their head'Lager is suffering a popularity dip as drinkers choose more 'sophisticated' alternatives, a report out today says.
- 09 Aug 2007Breakdown warning over holiday hire carsBritish tourists could be left stranded if they break down in their hire cars in Europe, an AA survey revealed today.
- 09 Aug 2007Gas guzzlers face higher London chargeGas-guzzling vehicles such as 4x4s and high-powered sports cars could soon be paying up to £25 a day to drive in the London congestion charging zone, it has been revealed.
- 09 Aug 2007Virgin reveals customer losses following Sky rowVirgin Media has revealed the impact of its row with BSkyB after cable and broadband customer numbers fell by 70,000 in the three months up until June.
- 09 Aug 2007Tesco launches additive-free breadBritain's biggest supermarket chain is launching its first range of bread made without artificial additives.
- 09 Aug 2007'Musty' breakfast cereal recalledKellogg's was today recalling around 300,000 packs of Crunchy Nut cereal after complaints that some boxes had a musty taste.
- 09 Aug 2007Apple unveils sleek new iMacApple has unveiled a new slimmer version of its iMac computer featuring a sleek aluminium design.
- 08 Aug 2007Pet buyers urged not to get short-changedPeople buying pets have been urged to brush up on their rights after a surge of complaints over the past year.
- 08 Aug 2007Nokia unveils two new fashion phonesNokia has unveiled its Prism collection of fashion phones aimed at the ‘style-conscious’ consumer.
- 08 Aug 2007NHS dentistry report 'a whitewash'A government report into NHS dentistry has been branded a ‘whitewash’ for failing to properly address patient concerns.
- 08 Aug 2007'Fairytale' mushrooms spring up earlyUnusual shiny mushrooms are emerging from the ground four months early because of the wet summer, it has been revealed.
- 08 Aug 2007Playstation advert 'glamourised violence'A PlayStation 3 advert which used images of a knife and gun broke industry rules because it risked glamorising violence, a watchdog said today.
- 07 Aug 2007Nissan car detects when driver is drunkJapanese car company Nissan has unveiled a concept car which won't move if the driver is over the alcohol limit.
- 07 Aug 2007Sony to fix camera faultSony says there is a potential safety problem on certain models of its Cyber Shot DSC-T5 cameras.
- 07 Aug 2007Call for real ale to be more female friendlyBrewers and pubs must do more to make real ale more female-friendly, a campaign group said today.
- 07 Aug 2007Meat supplies unaffected by foot and mouthSupplies of British meat in the shops are unaffected so far by the foot and mouth outbreak, according to one retailer.
- 07 Aug 2007CD sales decline hits EMI revenuesMusic label EMI signalled a further sharp decline in the popularity of the traditional CD as it said revenues from the format had dropped by nearly a fifth.
- 07 Aug 2007Britons hoarding 52 million unused mobile phonesBritons are collectively hoarding more than 52 million unused mobile phones worth £1.1 billion, research shows.
- 06 Aug 2007New warning over Chinese herbal pillsThe medicines watchdog has warned the public to be on its guard after a cancer causing ingredient was discovered in Chinese herbal pills.
- 06 Aug 2007Plans for smart meters in every homeThe government has launched a consultation on plans for smart energy meters to be fitted to all homes within the next decade.
- 06 Aug 2007Motorists lacking map reading skillsMore than a third of motorists cannot read a basic road map, a survey out today showed.
- 06 Aug 2007Banks told to give forgotten cash to charityBanks should be forced to take part in a scheme to put money languishing in forgotten accounts to good use, MPs said today.
- 06 Aug 2007Councils urged to switch to smaller wheelie binsNew guidance on encouraging recycling has advised local authorities to consider using smaller wheelie-bins, it emerged today.
- 03 Aug 2007BT buys Waitrose broadband operatorBT has bought internet service provider (ISP) Brightview in a deal worth £15.8 million.
- 03 Aug 2007Pure launches Evoke-1S DAB radioPure Digital has unveiled the follow up to the world’s best selling DAB digital radio.
- 03 Aug 2007British Gas rules out fuel bill cutsDespite announcing profits of £533 million from the first six months of the year, British Gas says it’s not planning further cuts to fuel bills.
- 03 Aug 2007Sky launches mobile football serviceFootball fans will be able to catch up with the latest goals and match highlights on their mobile phones thanks to a new service from Sky.
- 03 Aug 2007Time running out for budget fashionThe era of fast fashion at rock-bottom prices could be coming to an end, experts warned today.
- 03 Aug 2007TomTom GO range hits UK storesTomTom has launched two satellite navigation (sat nav) devices which feature a new slim design and its latest navigation software.
- 03 Aug 2007Toys recalled in lead paint alertFisher-Price is recalling tens of thousands of toys sold in the UK amid concerns over excessive levels of lead in their paint.
- 03 Aug 2007Brake on rise in motoring costsLower car maintenance bills and more fuel-efficient cars have put the brake on the rising cost of motoring, it was revealed today.
- 02 Aug 2007Hit and miss garage servicingSlack practices are rife in the garage servicing industry, according to the latest undercover investigation by Which?.
- 02 Aug 2007Broadband not as fast as claimedThere’s a huge gap between advertised broadband speeds and the actual speeds users can achieve, new research from Which? online reveals.
- 02 Aug 2007Skin treatments warningBritons could unwittingly be acting as guinea pigs for unlicensed cosmetic treatments from America, Which? warns today.
- 02 Aug 2007MRSA victims failing to win compensationVictims of MRSA are failing to win compensation because it’s hard to pin the blame on hospitals, Which? has learnt.
- 02 Aug 2007Gangs target charity clothes collectionsCharity doorstep clothes collections are increasingly being targeted by bogus collectors, Which? can reveal.
- 02 Aug 2007Mortgage lenders agree to scrap exit feesThe majority of top mortgage lenders have agreed to scrap exit fees or to fix them for the term of a loan, the City regulator said.
- 02 Aug 2007BA fined £270 million over price collusionBritish Airways has been fined a total of £270 million for colluding over flight pricing.
- 01 Aug 2007iTunes passes three billion downloads milestoneApple says it has sold more than three billion download songs from its iTunes online music store.
- 01 Aug 2007Milk price hike warningPints of milk are likely to get more expensive following the miserable weather, an expert warned.
- 01 Aug 2007Diet Coke with added vitamins set for launchA Coca-Cola drink boosted with vitamins is set to launch in the UK, the soft drinks giant said today.
- 01 Aug 2007Cruise ship 'not source of Legionnaires' disease'A cruise liner which docked early after two passengers were struck down with Legionnaires' disease was not the source of the infection, its operator said.
- 01 Aug 2007New cars and hot deals, 1st August 2007CX-7 likely to be quick but thirsty
- 01 Aug 2007Ryanair reduces flights from StanstedNo-frills airline Ryanair is cutting the number of flights it makes from Stansted airport because it says it is too expensive.
- 01 Aug 2007BSkyB to buy AmstradSatellite giant BSkyB is on the brink of a £125 million deal to buy Amstrad, the electronics company formed by Sir Alan Sugar.
- 01 Aug 2007Giant bottles of whisky go on saleGiant 4.5-litre bottles of 57.3 per cent strength whisky priced at £350 each are set to hit stores.
- 01 Aug 2007'Big four' banks trail on customer satisfactionThe ‘big four’ high street banks are trailing behind internet and telephone banks for customer satisfaction, says the annual Which? current account survey.
- 01 Aug 2007OFT calls for Scottish legal system reformScotland’s legal system should be reformed to give consumers greater choice, the competition watchdog has said.
- 01 Aug 2007New rules to cut out mobile phone 'slamming'A new code of practice which aims to stamp out dodgy sales and marketing practices in the mobile phone market has been welcomed by the industry watchdog.
