Policy

Current consumer issues affecting older people’s lives are:

Sales in the home
We campaigned for cooling-off rights for contracts entered into during a solicited sales visit in a person’s home. This became law on 1 October 2008 and customers now have 7 days to change their mind about contracts made in the home‚ whether during a solicited or an unsolicited visit.

Post office closures
Post offices provide a lifeline to isolated older people‚ especially in remote areas‚ and we believe they should be part of a coherent and sustainable strategy for providing public services in rural areas.

A closure programme is currently being undertaken to provide a more strategic network. It is expected that 2‚500 post offices will be closed as a result. Read more about our Stamped Out campaign to ensure older people have access to post office services.

The winner of the tender to provide the Post Office Card Account from 2010 is due to be announced in October 2008.

Digital switchover
The switch from analogue to digital TV between 2008 and 2012 could leave many older people isolated if they are not supported through this change.

Fuel poverty
Fuel poverty remains a major issue and has worsened due to increases in energy prices. We have been campaigning to ensure steps are taken to try to ensure older people can afford to heat their homes. One result of this has been a one-off increase in Winter Fuel payments.

Our response papers

Download our responses to recent government consultations from the bottom of this page.