On Your Behalf

Energy prices are going up yet the wholesale costs are coming down. Energy regulator John French tells Linda why and what to expect over the next few months. A number of changes to benefits come in this month - Matt Cole from Advice NI explains how to get Disability Support Payments and how the rise in childcare payments works here. Might you be about to lose your Smartpass? A consultation has begun on raising the age to 65+. The Commissioner for Older People is deeply concerned and tells Linda why he see's it as a lifeline for older people. And everything you ever wanted to know about cremation but were afraid to ask as Linda visits Northern Ireland's newest facility which opens next week.

Energy prices, buses and benefits.

Linda talks about the government’s baby blind spot with Becca Harper from pressure group Melted Parents. Financial Adviser Alice Gavin talks about budgeting and mortgages. And as rents rise faster here than anywhere else in the UK, Stephen Morrison from Housing Rights outlines what help is available and what your rights are. We also hear from the poker player whose winnings got lost in the electronic ether!

Every week On Your Behalf hears about problems people in Northern Ireland are having with broadband, travel, scams, banks, shopping and more. Everything from getting a refund for a cancelled flight, to making a complaint about a product or a service you're not happy with, or being kept on hold for hours. Most of the issues we hear about relate to companies in the UK, and many of them, we're happy to say, are fixable - particularly when On Your Behalf gets involved. But, here's something we want to know - Is it just us? Is it just us being kept on hold, or unable to get broadband in rural areas? Is it just us losing bank branches in small towns or being bombarded by scam texts and emails? Presenter Linda McAuley is having conversations with consumer experts from around the world to find out how consumers are treated where they are. In this episode we're heading to Sweden to find out what issues and topics people there are struggling with, and what support is available when something goes wrong? Welcome to On Your Behalf - Is It Just Us? - Sweden Presenter: Linda McAuley Producers: Daniel Lynch & Rhiannon Mulligan Assistant Editor: Séamus Boyd

Every week On Your Behalf hears about problems people in Northern Ireland are having with broadband, travel, scams, banks, shopping and more. Everything from getting a refund for a cancelled flight, to making a complaint about a product or a service you're not happy with, or being kept on hold for hours. Most of the issues we hear about relate to companies in the UK, and many of them, we're happy to say, are fixable - particularly when On Your Behalf gets involved. But, here's something we want to know - Is it just us? Is it just us being kept on hold, or unable to get broadband in rural areas? Is it just us losing bank branches in small towns or being bombarded by scam texts and emails? Presenter Linda McAuley is having conversations with consumer experts from around the world to find out how consumers are treated where they are. In this episode we're heading to South Africa to find out what issues and topics people there are struggling with, and what support is available when something goes wrong? Welcome to On Your Behalf - Is It Just Us? - South Africa Presenter: Linda McAuley Producers: Daniel Lynch & Rhiannon Mulligan Assistant Editor: Séamus Boyd

Every week On Your Behalf hears about problems people in Northern Ireland are having with broadband, travel, scams, banks, shopping and more. Everything from getting a refund for a cancelled flight, to making a complaint about a product or a service you're not happy with, or being kept on hold for hours. Most of the issues we hear about relate to companies in the UK, and many of them, we're happy to say, are fixable - particularly when On Your Behalf gets involved. But, here's something we want to know - Is it just us? Is it just us being kept on hold, or unable to get broadband in rural areas? Is it just us losing bank branches in small towns or being bombarded by scam texts and emails? Presenter Linda McAuley is having conversations with consumer experts from around the world to find out how consumers are treated where they are. In this episode we're heading to Canada to find out what issues and topics people there are struggling with, and what support is available when something goes wrong? Welcome to On Your Behalf - Is It Just Us? - Canada Presenter: Linda McAuley Producers: Daniel Lynch & Rhiannon Mulligan Assistant Editor: Séamus Boyd

Every week On Your Behalf hears about problems people in Northern Ireland are having with broadband, travel, scams, banks, shopping and more. Everything from getting a refund for a cancelled flight, to making a complaint about a product or a service you're not happy with, or being kept on hold for hours. Most of the issues we hear about relate to companies in the UK, and many of them, we're happy to say, are fixable - particularly when On Your Behalf gets involved. But, here's something we want to know - Is it just us? Is it just us being kept on hold, or unable to get broadband in rural areas? Is it just us losing bank branches in small towns or being bombarded by scam texts and emails? Presenter Linda McAuley is having conversations with consumer experts from around the world to find out how consumers are treated where they are. In this episode we're heading to Germany to find out what issues and topics people there are struggling with, and what support is available when something goes wrong? Welcome to On Your Behalf - Is It Just Us? - Germany Presenter: Linda McAuley Producers: Daniel Lynch & Rhiannon Mulligan Assistant Editor: Séamus Boyd

Every week On Your Behalf hears about problems people in Northern Ireland are having with broadband, travel, scams, banks, shopping and more. Everything from getting a refund for a cancelled flight, to making a complaint about a product or a service you're not happy with, or being kept on hold for hours. Most of the issues we hear about relate to companies in the UK and many of them are fixable - particularly when On Your Behalf gets involved. But, we want to know - Is it just us? Is it just us being kept on hold or unable to get broadband in rural areas? Is it just us losing bank branches in small towns or being bombarded by scam texts and emails? Presenter Linda McAuley is having conversations with consumer experts from around the world to find out how consumers are treated where they are. In this episode we’re heading to Spain to find out what issues and topics people there are struggling with, and what support is available when something goes wrong? Welcome to On Your Behalf - Is It Just Us? – Spain Presenter: Linda McAuley Producers: Daniel Lynch & Rhiannon Mulligan Assistant Editor: Séamus Boyd

Carer Allan Leonard on the challenges of accessing help and support

Travel expert Simon Calder shares travel tips ahead of the summer holiday season.

The Easter break is an opportunity for many people to get away for a few days, but it’s important to know your rights before you go. Richard Williams of the Consumer Council explains why prevention is always better than cure when it comes to travel and highlights what you need to consider before your getaway. With schools off, it can also be a challenging time for families. Chris Briggs from Employers for Childcare explains what support is available and how to access it. Kathleen Toner explores the situation for foster parents in Northern Ireland and what financial support there is for families considering fostering. We hear regularly from listeners struggling with deliveries or couriers. James Stinson of Ofcom, which regulates the sector, explains why new guidelines should improve things for consumers. If you bought electrical goods online do you know how to check whether they’ve passed safety tests? Giuseppe Cabana, engineer at Electrical Safety First, shares some horror stories of dangerous hairdryers, blenders and chargers and explains how you can keep yourself safe when buying electrical goods.

Linda asks the experts about your consumer questions: Listener Glenda bought a new kitchen, but says it has never been right and the best way to open one of the cupboards is to turn on the extractor fan; Tommy bought a car that broke down while he was out shopping and hasn’t seen it since; John’s mother’s pension was stopped without warning, despite him twice filling out forms he was asked for. Electrical Safety First have some tips for buying electrical goods online and Linda visits a spring home safety event at Belfast City Hall.

More people than ever are having to use private healthcare which could mean more people getting into debt, according to the Royal College of GP's in N Ireland. We hear from Philip, who went private when he needed treatment for cataracts, his optometrist Brian & Dr Julie-Anne Little, Chair of the Association of Optometrists NI. Community organisations across the country are warning of the devastating impact that the closure of an EU funding stream could have. The EU’s European Social Fund was worth around £40m every year in Northern Ireland, but ends on 31st March as a result of Brexit. The sector is warning that Westminster’s replacement funding stream doesn’t fill the gap, putting jobs and services at risk. Community Foundation NI CEO Roísín Wood and Claire Meenehan of Include Youth explain what the loss of funds will mean for organisations and people here. We look back to the Helplines NI awareness event at Stormont, and look ahead to Belfast City Council’s spring safety event which is offering tips on home security and a cyber security audit.

Linda and guests discuss what the 2023 Budget means for people in Northern Ireland.

The Consumer Council’s energy expert Raymond Gormley explains what the Energy price Guarantee actually means. Consumer Guru Jimmy Hughes on listener’s problems; from washing machines to car troubles and Diana Valentine from the European Consumer Centre on the pitfalls to be aware of when buying tickets for The Rugby World Cup.

Listener Rebecca got in touch after getting a parking ticket. She’s a Blue Badge holder and after struggling to find a suitable parking space in Belfast, thought she was safe to park in a loading bay. She checked the rules online and left to enjoy an evening out. She returned to find a ticket and contacted On Your Behalf when her appeals were denied. Nuala Toman of Disability Action and IMTAC’s Dermot Devlin discuss what needs to be done to improve parking options for Blue Badge holders. Sue...

Raymond Gormley, Consumer Council energy expert, talks through several listeners’ questions around the £600 energy vouchers. Paula moved house and is worried she’ll miss out, Robert says his mother’s voucher was delivered to the wrong address and Philip is treasurer for a church and is worried the Rectory is ineligible. Pat Austin of National Energy Action joins the conversation. Following a listener’s question about how to fund residential care for their parents, Brenda Kearns of Age NI...

Linda McAuley champions the cause of consumers in Northern Ireland, helping them to solve their problems, make the right choices and avoid the pitfalls - contact the show with your consumer and benefits queries: Write to: OYB BBC Ormeau Avenue BELFAST BT2 8HQ Listener Line: 02890 338314 E-mail via the website: www.bbc.co.uk/oyb

A report from the charity Sustrans suggests 41% of people with disabilities often have problems getting to their destination on a typical walked or wheeled journey. It highlights obstructions like parked cars, signage and street decoration, and makes suggestions to government and planners about how to improve things in future. Linda went for a walk this week with June Best, her guide dog Clyde, and Anne Madden of Sustrans to find out more about the Disabled Citizens Inquiry report. Jimmy...

Independent financial advisor Alice Gavin has advice on how to get your finances in order for 2023, Liam Duggan from Carers NI tells of the pressures facing carers, Siobhan Casey from Age NI on getting older people back into the workplace, Faith Westwood from Housing Rights explains what happens with the £600 energy voucher between tenants and landlords and word whizz Suzie Dent from Countdown on becoming a fully trained guide for people living with sight loss.