Consumer Policy Review back issues from May 2007:
OFT's shy response
May 01, 2007; ... In response to Which?'s super-complaint into credit card interest calculation methods, the OFT announced that it thinks interest calculation methods are just one part of a wider problem and that tackling those methods alone won't improve the situation for consumers, and believes standardisation ...
Which? awards 'best of the best'
May 01, 2007; ... In its fiftieth year, for the first time consumer watchdog Which? has presented awards to the very best products and services in the UK. Ten award categories reflect the breadth of Which?'s research. Pensions Minister, James Purnell MP, was named Which? Consumer ...
NHS review
May 01, 2007; ... Responding to Health Secretary Alan Johnson's plans to undertake a review of the NHS, Frances Blunden, Principal Policy Adviser, Which? said: 'While there have been improvements in the NHS it continues to fail patients in many key areas. 'Our research shows that people are being let down ...
Drug companies bombarding GPs
May 01, 2007; ... Despite a strengthened code of practice, drug companies continue to bombard GPs with promotional materials and inducements, according to a survey of 200 GPs by Which?. The survey found that GPs receive, on average, four visits per month from drug reps and five promotional mailings about ...
New TV ad rules fail children
May 01, 2007; ... Of the 20 television programmes most watched by children, none will be covered by new restrictions on TV advertising for foods high in fat, salt and sugar, which are based on the proportion of children watching the programme rather than the actual numberwatching. Which? found only seven ...
Imperfect information for consumers
May 01, 2007; ... Dominic Lindley discusses information asymmetry, the increasing complexity of markets and the impacts this has on consumers' daily lives Information asymmetry exists when consumers have incomplete, uncertain or complex information on which to make a decision. The increasing complexity of ...
The credit card Summary Box: improving transparency
May 01, 2007; ... Sandra Quinn outlines how APACS worked with the credit card industry to enable consumers to make more informed choices about their borrowing With the competitiveness of the UK credit card market and the complexities of the market making it difficult for borrowers to make informed ...
The long tale: public services and Web 2.0
May 01, 2007; ... Paul Hodgkin and James Munro discuss how Web 2.0 can be harnessed by public services to use patients' experiences as a catalyst for change Public services have to date remained relatively untouched by the World Wide Web. However this is about to change as the technologies loosely known ...
Some implications of transportation technologies
May 01, 2007; ... Dr Mark Beecroft looks at how future technological changes in transport systems and networks could have an impact on the way we travel Future developments in transport technologies could have profound consequences for consumers and how they travel. The nature of these will depend on the ...
Current developments: To 12 April 2007
May 01, 2007; ... Health and safety 13 February Treatment of breast cancer with aromastase inhibitor Exemestane, alongside Tamoxifen, could save up to 1 ,300 lives a year, research suggests. These drugs starve tumours of oxygen and are approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence ...