Month: November 2017

60-second advice video features top shopping tips to stay safe online

Posted by | 30, Nov, 2017 | |

How to stay safe online when shopping The UK European Consumer Centre has released a 60-second video about subscription traps with top tips on how to stay safe online. This is part of the annual National Consumer Week. It is also part of a series designed to draw consumers’ attention to potential consumer problems and consumer rights. Laura Johnston, the UK ECC consumer advisor featured in the clip, said: “We know that these days everybody is short of time, but we want to encourage as many people as possible to spare just 60 seconds to watch this: it could make a real difference.“   Don’t get caught in a subscription trap Subscription issues can include signing up for a fixed term deal, trial, or promotion where it is unclear that the consumer will be auto-enrolled into ongoing payments. Laura added: “Consumers made the vast majority of these purchases online, for a large range of beauty-type products. This is not a universal problem by any means - there are good health or beauty product companies supplying such products to consumers in an honest and above-board way under contracts which are fair – but we are still concerned.”   Follow National Consumer Week updates on Twitter using #BeforeYouSign and #NCW17. If you find yourself in a position where you have ongoing payments being taken from your account, contact the UK European...

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Don’t be like Little Red Riding Hood: keep the Big Bad Wolf from the door – be sure what you’re signing up for #BeforeYouSign

Posted by | 29, Nov, 2017 | |

Don’t get caught in a subscription trap Consumer advice body the UK European Consumer Centre (UK ECC) has released a short animated video. It shows how easy it is to get caught in a subscription trap. The animation is designed to make consumers think before they sign and not be tempted by free trial offers. Unless they know what they are getting into. It features Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. It draws attention to what can happen if you are scammed online. The video is part of the annual National Consumer Week. Automatic renewals after a free trial Service director at the UK ECC, Andy Allen, said: “Very few, if any companies, will offer you a trial of anything unless it is going to lead on to further purchases and this is often done by an automatic renewal system which places the responsibility on the customer to actively cancel an ongoing contract. “In most of these cases the customer doesn’t realise what is happening until they notice continued payments disappearing from their bank accounts.” A recent report from Citizens Advice said that two million people across Great Britain have experienced problems cancelling recurring payments. By releasing this animated video, the UK ECC wants to make sure consumers are aware of the potential dangers. National Consumer Week is an annual consumer education campaign. It is coordinated...

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New rules on blood donation come into force

Posted by | 28, Nov, 2017 | |

Safety maintained Changes to rules on blood donation will allow more people to donate while maintaining safety. These changes to the rules on blood donation in England came into force on 28 November. The changes were announced in July, on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO). Donor Health Check Medical and Research Director at NHS Blood and Transplant, Dr Gail Miflin, said: “The SaBTO review took into account the latest available medical and scientific evidence. This included more information about the risk of acquiring infections that can be passed on in blood, more evidence on how well donors comply with our guidelines and also more evidence that supports the reliability of the blood screening tests we use. “We have one of the safest blood supplies in the world. Anyone may require a blood transfusion in the future and so it’s in all our interests to ensure that we work hard to keep blood safe for patients.” Before a donation, all donors must complete a Donor Health Check and have a private health screening. During which they may be asked confidential questions based on their completed form. Subject to meeting the other donation rules, the following groups will now be able to donate after 3 months have passed since the last sexual activity: men who have had sex with another man commercial...

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Highlighting the unacceptable face of emergency care #DontChoosetoAbuse

Highlighting the unacceptable face of emergency care #DontChoosetoAbuse

Posted by | 28, Nov, 2017 | |

A new campaign is highlighting the unacceptable face of emergency care Don’t Choose to Abuse highlights the problem of assaults on ambulance service staff. It also reminds the public there is zero tolerance against any form of abuse against emergency workers. Every year, the number of assaults against ambulance staff increases. In 2016/17, the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) recorded more than 250 physical assaults recorded against staff. This is an increase of 10 per cent from the previous year. Whilst this is a small proportion of the thousands of calls the ambulance service receives every...

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Ministry of Defence awards Cranfield University Silver Employer Recognition

Posted by | 27, Nov, 2017 | |

Ministry of Defence recognises Cranfield University’s support of the Armed Forces community Cranfield University has been awarded a Silver Employer Recognition award by the Ministry of Defence. The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) recognises and rewards UK employers that support veterans, military spouses and cadet instructors, as well as reservists. These employers pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to the Armed Forces community. They also share the values defined in the Armed Forces Covenant. Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Cranfield University, Professor Sir Peter Gregson, said: “We are delighted that Cranfield has been awarded the Ministry of Defence Silver Employer Recognition...

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