Consumer News

Hidden deep within last week’s UK Budget was a plan by the Chancellor to close a National Insurance loophole which allowed those who have previously lived in the UK to – relatively cheaply – qualify for a full UK state pension upon retirement

Are you starting to plan your Christmas dinner, or stock up on seasonal items like crackers, puddings and snacks?

Have you started planning what you need to buy and – most importantly – how much you can afford to spend this festive season?

The UK government has announced significant changes to state pension rules for people living abroad, and these will come into effect from April 2026.

Every December, the same quiet but powerful force sweeps through the Island: the pressure to buy Christmas presents.

We can reveal that veterinary practices across the Island have expressed strong support for greater transparency in pricing, following a letter we sent to all local vets last month (October) in the wake of the UK Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) provisional findings.

As the festive season approaches, so too does Black Friday — a date that’s become synonymous with long wish lists, lightning deals, and the annual scramble to secure a bargain before Christmas. Originating in the United States as the post-Thanksgiving sales day, Black Friday has now firmly taken root in the UK and Jersey – driven largely by online giants such as Amazon and eBay.

Have you started planning what you need to buy and – most importantly – how much you can afford to spend this festive season?

​​​​​​​We live in a world where smartphones are essential tools for work, communication, and entertainment.

Hidden deep within last week’s UK Budget was a plan by the Chancellor to close a National Insurance loophole which allowed those who have previously lived in the UK to – relatively cheaply – qualify for a full UK state pension upon retirement

Every December, the same quiet but powerful force sweeps through the Island: the pressure to buy Christmas presents.

The UK government has announced significant changes to state pension rules for people living abroad, and these will come into effect from April 2026.

Water bills will be rising next year by an average of almost £60 per household, as part of an ‘essential strategy’ by Jersey Water to safeguard current and future water supplies. The utility provider has set out its plans to address future water shortages and protect the Island’s water supply, in a new five-year strategy.

After more than two years of falling inflation, the latest figures from Statistics Jersey show that the annual rate of inflation has risen to 2.6% in the year to June, up from 2.3% in March.  

JT have increased the cost to call some international destinations from a landline for both residential and business customers.

Our utility companies have free rein to announce a price rise and we have no choice but to swallow it.

To cheer you up during this cold start to the new year, we are offering you our top tips for staying warm this winter.

Island Energy has announced that gas prices in Jersey will rise by 7.5% with effect from 16 January 2025. 

There’s bad news if you’re a Sky TV customer. The satellite television company will be increasing their prices by an average of 6.2% from 1 April.

There’s bad news if you’re a Netflix subscriber – the streaming platform has increased the cost of its monthly subscriptions for UK customers.

It may not be something you want to think about just now, but do you know what will happen to your digital assets after you die?

The UK government has announced significant changes to state pension rules for people living abroad, and these will come into effect from April 2026.

Imagine walking into your home to find it flooded from a burst pipe, burgled during a weekend away, or damaged by a kitchen fire. It’s a stressful enough situation — but even more devastating when you realise you’ll have to replace everything out of your own pocket.

Since our last update about credit cards in November 2024, we've been contacted by many Islanders who are still concerned about the lack of options to obtain a credit card in Jersey for shopping or travelling purposes.

If you are someone who tends to buy their lunch each day in town, and like the idea of a meal deal, then you could save £300 a year depending upon where you are grabbing your food.

Did you know that in a recent survey of young people in Jersey, “cheaper housing and food” was listed as one of their top priorities? 

Coop customers will receive lower "divvy" payments of 2% for a second year running.

From 1 July 2025, Islanders will receive a new £10 Government subsidy for appointments with nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, healthcare assistants, and for GP consultations by phone.

Recently we’ve been asked by consumers for our tips on staying cool in hot weather. The UK summers are getting hotter, so what are our options?

Jersey's government has announced that from Monday, 20 May they are giving another £10 towards every GP appointment.

Islanders are being encouraged to post early, as Jersey Post prepares for it’s busiest time of the year. From late November, as Islanders send Christmas cards and presents, Jersey Post will see a 30% increase in mail.

Have you noticed that a growing number of products on eBay are no longer able to be shipped to Jersey? If so, then you’re not alone – a number of consumers have been in touch with us letting us know that they can no longer bid on or buy many of the items which they were previously able to.

Islanders won’t temporarily be able to send any parcels to America, due to an executive order from US President Donald Trump that will impose extra fees on parcels of all sizes. 

Are you starting to plan your Christmas dinner, or stock up on seasonal items like crackers, puddings and snacks?

As summer temperatures rise, so does demand for sun cream — but how much should you be paying to protect your skin?

If you are someone who tends to buy their lunch each day in town, and like the idea of a meal deal, then you could save £300 a year depending upon where you are grabbing your food.

Thinking about a summer holiday? Looking for a last-minute deal? Planning a city break? Travel scams have been prevalent over the past few years, so be careful when booking anything online.

Have you ever received a parcel you didn’t order? Recently, we were contacted by a consumer who had received several parcels from Amazon that he hadn’t ordered, and he didn’t know what to do. We discovered that it was most likely that he has been the victim of a brushing scam.  

The recent national cyber attacks on Marks and Spencer and the Coop have resulted in empty shelves in some of Jersey’s supermarkets in recent weeks. However, while the lack of food has caused issues for Islanders, in the UK customers have been told that the attackers gained access to their personal data, including contact details, date of birth, and online order history.

Are you starting to plan your Christmas dinner, or stock up on seasonal items like crackers, puddings and snacks?

Every December, the same quiet but powerful force sweeps through the Island: the pressure to buy Christmas presents.

Have you started planning what you need to buy and – most importantly – how much you can afford to spend this festive season?

Shoppers in Jersey who recently bought items from online retailer Very could find they were mistakenly charged UK VAT — despite the company’s checkout system appearing to calculate the correct Jersey price.

As the festive season approaches, so too does Black Friday — a date that’s become synonymous with long wish lists, lightning deals, and the annual scramble to secure a bargain before Christmas. Originating in the United States as the post-Thanksgiving sales day, Black Friday has now firmly taken root in the UK and Jersey – driven largely by online giants such as Amazon and eBay.

Two of our newest Consumer Council members – both of whom are members of Beaulieu School’s sixth form – surveyed their fellow pupils about what shops they would like to see in Jersey for people their age.

Water bills will be rising next year by an average of almost £60 per household, as part of an ‘essential strategy’ by Jersey Water to safeguard current and future water supplies. The utility provider has set out its plans to address future water shortages and protect the Island’s water supply, in a new five-year strategy.

JT have increased the cost to call some international destinations from a landline for both residential and business customers.

Telecoms company JT have let us know that they will be following the UK and the rest of the world and beginning their work to switch off their 3G service.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released a 'Negative Response Letter' to help with debit or credit card claims, following the collapse of Blue Islands.

Hundreds of passengers are thought to have been stranded, and thousands more to have had their travel plans disrupted, after Alderney-based airline Blue Islands ceased trading.

Islanders who suspect they may have been mis-sold car finance are being encouraged to speak up, following a major UK scandal that could have implications for Jersey consumers.