Tag: UK

Missing Postwatch already?

Posted by | Nov 19, 2007 | |

Last week, the House of Lords published a Select Committee report on the UK economic regulators including Postcomm. In Chapter 5 of the report, there is a section entitled “How are consumer interests protected in the regulatory state?”

This looks at models of consumer representation and comparisons are made between the integrated model of the Ofcom Consumer Panel and the Financial Services Consumer Panel – where the consumer body sits in the regulator – and the alternative standalone model of Postwatch and Energywatch – where the consumer body sits outside the regulator.

The report concludes that:

– “Different consumer representation models operate in the regulatory state and all the regulators were vociferous in justifying their particular model. However, we believe that stand alone consumer representation bodies are more transparent and more effective.”

– “The new landscape for consumer representation has been created by the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 [Consumer Voice]. We are sceptical that the proposed new arrangements will lead to improvements in consumer representation but we recognise that it is too early to judge whether our scepticism is justified. The new arrangements will need careful monitoring and this is a role that might be taken up by a sessional Committee on regulators.”

This is a reference to the fact that the CEAR Act will combine both Postwatch and Energywatch with the National Consumer Council so that, from October 2008, there will not be a sector-specific consumer body for postal services.

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Royal Mail accused of post office closures

Posted by | Nov 18, 2007 | |

Royal Mail is planning to create a network of part-time post offices across rural Scotland, leading campaigners to suspect it is plotting a new wave of closures by stealth.

The company, which has already announced swingeing cuts in its counter business, has signalled 500 UK post offices could be replaced by part-time or even mobile “outreach” services.

The reforms could see dozens of post offices downgraded in some of Scotland’s most remote and vulnerable communities.

This would be in addition to 44 branches in Greater Glasgow, Central Scotland and Argyll and Bute, which were earmarked for closure in the first Area Plan Proposals published for Scotland. Three rural villages in the Stirling area – Thornhill, Gargunnock and Buchlyvie – have already been warned of proposals to close their branches and offer alternative facilities during restricted hours.

A consultation period on the changes to the three branches is due to end next month. However, five other Area Plan Proposals have still to be published for Scotland.

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Post Office (UK) cuts mortgage rate

Posted by | Nov 18, 2007 | |

The Post Office announced it has cut its three year fixed rate mortgage to 5.64 per cent – making it the best deal of its kind currently available*.

The mortgage carries a fixed arrangement fee of just GBP 399 and can be taken out on up to 95 per cent of a home’s value, giving Post Office customers a market leading deal. In support of the product’s transparency and great value it has been awarded a rare 5* rating from Moneyfacts.

Three year fixed buy-to-let and self-certification mortgages are also currently available at trial branches.

The mortgage trial, launched in September 2007, follows a succession of well-received financial product launches by the Post Office which is now the fastest growing financial services provider in the UK. It has already attracted more than one million customers with its easy to understand and good value products.

A formal evaluation will take place at the end of the mortgage trial, which will inform how the Post Office proceeds with its offering.

Post Office Mortgages are provided in conjunction with Bristol and West, the Bank of Ireland’s lending arm. As a responsible lender, the Post Office applies strict lending criteria and enforces appropriate checks before an offer is made.

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Post Office (UK) named 2007 favourite for foreign exchange and travel insurance

Posted by | Nov 18, 2007 | |

The Post Office has been named Britain’s Favourite Foreign Exchange Company at this year’s British Travel Awards after securing a quarter of all votes in this category.

The Post Office was also voted Favourite Travel Insurance Company for the second year running.

Voted for by over 100,000 consumers and industry professionals, the British Travel Awards are the largest of its kind in the UK.

The Post Office is the largest bureau de change provider in the UK and customers can buy euros over the counter at over 7,000 “on demand” branches plus a selection of other currencies at 2,400 branches. All 14,000 Post Offices offer a next-day currency collection service. The Post Office is the UK’s largest independent provider of travel insurance.

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Double boost for Palletline central hub team

Posted by | Nov 16, 2007 | |

Palletline plc has once again strengthened the senior management team at its central hub in Erdington, Birmingham, with two key appointments.

Mark Saund is the new Night Hub Operations Manager. Mark will have operational responsibility for all overnight operations at Palletline’s main hub at Tyburn Road, Erdington, Birmingham, through which around 40,000 pallets pass each week.

He joins Palletline from leading national parcels distributor Target Express in Coventry where he has worked for the last six years in a variety of roles, most recently as Operations Manager at the central hub.

Meanwhile Kerrie Evans has taken on the new role of Network Services Manager. Kerrie’s role involves supporting all of Palletline’s 67 members nationwide, acting as liaison between the hub and the members and ensuring that the network meets their needs.

Having spent 15 years as UK Sales Manager for David Wilson Homes, Kerrie then moved into the road transport sector, holding key network development posts with two other national pallet distribution networks. Most recently she has been an Account Manager for the Home Delivery Network, working with major customers including Marks & Spencer and Toys R Us.

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