Start date: 10 February 2012
End date: Summer 2012
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The OFT completed its call evidence on remote communities on 20 April 2012 and expects to publish the findings in the summer of 2012.
The purpose of the call for evidence was to seek the views of residents in remote communities to improve the OFT's understanding of how remoteness affects both consumers and businesses.
The prices of many goods and services are frequently higher in remote communities and access to key services such as shops, banks and public transport can be limited. Fuel prices, in particular, are a common cause for concern given that distance affects costs of distribution. Online purchasing may expand opportunities for broader choice and quality, but we also recognise that delivery can be problematic or costly. In other circumstances variety of choice may be restricted or the quality of goods compromised.
The main call for evidence was conducted through an online and postal survey. Through March 2012 the OFT also hosted a series of local engagement groups to explore market issues arising in remote communities across the UK. These were conducted alongside local partners including Local Authority Trading Standards Services and Citizens Advice Bureaux. Seven locations were selected: Highland and Shetland in Scotland; Llyn Peninsula and Bridgend County in Wales; Northumberland and Devon in England; and County Tyrone in Northern Ireland.
We produced a short guide explaining the background to the study and outlining some of the areas on which we wanted to hear about.
If you wish to contact us about the call for evidence, please email remotecommunities@oft.gsi.gov.uk or write to:
Remote Communities Team
Office of Fair Trading
23 Walker Street
Edinburgh
EH3 7HX
Please note that the OFT is unable to provide advice or resolve individual complaints for consumers. Consumers can seek advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service. Visit www.adviceguide.org.uk or call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06.
The call for evidence closed on Friday, 20 April, and the OFT expects to publish its findings in the summer 2012.
Senior Responsible Officer: Kyla Brand (0131 220 5930) kyla.brand@oft.gsi.gov.uk
Project Director: James Macbeth (020 7211 8958) james.macbeth@oft.gsi.gov.uk
Team Leader: Darren Eade (020 7211 8534) darren.eade@oft.gsi.gov.uk
Any media enquiries should be directed to a member of our Press Office.
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