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Consumer Alert weekly UK web news articles, information & tips: Monday June 14 2010.

Mon, 2010-06-14

1.  Banking system needs major reform says new report sponsored by Which?

Over the weekend, the Future of Banking Commission set up by Which? following the Credit Crunch delivered its final report to Government.  It calls for profound reform of the UK banking system. The Commission’s recommendations aim to put ordinary people and society at the heart of a reformed banking system. They include reforms to help ensure the safety of depositors’ money, the introduction of new rules to make banks responsible for meeting consumers’ needs and the creation of a healthy, professional and ethical culture in financial services. FULL STORY including link to the full downloadable report (which.co.uk)

2.  Product safety alert: Braun recalls its Satin Pro hair dryers.

Braun is voluntarily recalling its Satin Pro and Satin Hair Colour hairdryers after fears they may overheat. Braun says the recall is a precautionary measure, following concerns the hairdryers may overheat or short circuit, even when switched off. The Satin Pro SPI 2200 and Satin Pro Hair Colour SPI 2100 hairdryers affected were produced between April 2007 and November 2009 and have the product type number '3549' and production codes from 701 - 852.  FULL DETAILS (Braun)

3.  Consumer privacy: Google may face prosecution over its unauthorised collection of private Wi-Fi data.

Privacy International has revealed that it will approach the Police regarding Google's collection of data from unsecured Wi-Fi networks over the past 3 years. The practice came to light after the German data protection authority audited the Wi-Fi data collected by Google Street View cars for use in location-based products such as Google Maps. The authority revealed that as well as collecting SSID information (the network's name) and MAC addresses (the number given to Wi-Fi devices such as a router), Google has also been collecting payload data such as emails or web page content being viewed. FULL STORY (pcworld.com)

4.  Best and worst NHS car parks named: Epsom & St. Helier top for clamping. 

A  revamp of hospital car parking is needed, consumer watchdog Which? says after looking into the best and worst practices in England.  The group found a wide variation in the frequency with which patients were clamped and fined for breaching rules. Using data from 126 Freedom Of Information requests, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust came top for clamping. Over a year the hospital clamped 1,671 cars and made nearly £2m profit. Leeds General Infirmary issued the most parking tickets - over 10,000, generating £142,000 profit. The Royal Derby was the target of the most criticism - it received 82 complaints in 2008-09. According to Which?, 70% of people have experienced problems with an NHS hospital car park and for nearly half, parking made what can be a very stressful time even worse. FULL STORY (bbc.co.uk)

5.  Recycling:  Scots to be banned from binning food leftovers.

Scottish consumers are to be asked to separate discarded food from other household waste before it is collected, under new proposals aimed at increasing recycling rates to 70 per cent. But the Scottish Executive’s Zero Waste Plan contains no penalties for those who refuse to comply, instead relying on public good will to meet the tough targets. The new blueprint states bans will be introduced from next year on all biodegradable rubbish being buried in landfill sites. Households will be asked to segregate recyclable materials, such as food, paper, plastics, textiles and glass, and place them in separate bins. Ministers  hope the measure will help ensure 70 per cent of waste is either recycled or turned into compost by 2025, with only five per cent buried in landfill. FULL STORY (telegraph.co.uk)

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