Citizens Advice

United Kingdom Buy Now Pay Later Business Report 2024: Market to Reach $61.39 Billion by 2029 - Firms are Expanding their Partnerships to the United Kingdom to Launch New Products - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

The BNPL gross merchandise value in the country will increase from US$33.81 billion in 2023 to reach US$61.39 billion by 2029.

Key Points: 
  • The BNPL gross merchandise value in the country will increase from US$33.81 billion in 2023 to reach US$61.39 billion by 2029.
  • Amid the cost-of-living crisis, an ever-increasing number of Britons are turning to buy now pay later schemes to pay their bills.
  • The report expects more such strategic collaborations in the United Kingdom BNPL market over the medium term.
  • United Kingdom BNPL Market Size and Spending Pattern, 2020-2029
    United Kingdom Buy Now Pay Later Revenue Analysis, 2020-2029
    United Kingdom Buy Now Pay Later Operational KPIs & Statistics, 2020-2029
    United Kingdom BNPL by Purpose, 2020-2029
    United Kingdom BNPL by Business Model, 2020-2029
    United Kingdom BNPL by Merchant Ecosystem, 2020-2029
    United Kingdom BNPL by Distribution Model Analysis, 2020-2029

Europe Buy Now Pay Later Report 2024: 75+ KPIs on BNPL Market Size, End-Use Sectors, Market Share, Product Analysis, Business Models and Demographics - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024

The "Europe Buy Now Pay Later Business and Investment Opportunities Databook - 75+ KPIs on BNPL Market Size, End-Use Sectors, Market Share, Product Analysis, Business Model, Demographics - Q1 2024 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • The "Europe Buy Now Pay Later Business and Investment Opportunities Databook - 75+ KPIs on BNPL Market Size, End-Use Sectors, Market Share, Product Analysis, Business Model, Demographics - Q1 2024 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • The buy now pay later sector is poised for accelerated growth in the European market over the medium term.
  • Marqeta, in October 2023, entered into a strategic partnership with Scalapay to drive the buy now pay later usage in Europe.
  • Below is a summary of key market segments:
    BNPL Market Size and Spending Pattern, 2020-2029
    Buy Now Pay Later Revenue Analysis, 2020-2029
    Buy Now Pay Later Operational KPIs & Statistics, 2020-2029

Europe Buy Now Pay Later Business and Investment Opportunities Databook 2024: A $354.3 Billion Market by 2029 Amid Growing Consumer Adoption

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024

The BNPL gross merchandise value in the region will increase from US$190.2 billion in 2023 to reach US$354.3 billion by 2029.

Key Points: 
  • The BNPL gross merchandise value in the region will increase from US$190.2 billion in 2023 to reach US$354.3 billion by 2029.
  • The buy now pay later sector is poised for accelerated growth in the European market over the medium term.
  • Marqeta, in October 2023, entered into a strategic partnership with Scalapay to drive the buy now pay later usage in Europe.
  • Below is a summary of key market segments:
    BNPL Market Size and Spending Pattern, 2020-2029
    Buy Now Pay Later Revenue Analysis, 2020-2029
    Buy Now Pay Later Operational KPIs & Statistics, 2020-2029

United Kingdom Buy Now Pay Later Business Report 2024-2029: Consumers Increasingly Turning to BNPL Plans, Firms are Expanding Partnerships, 1/4 of Users have Faced Late Repayment Fees

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 9, 2024

This report provides a detailed data-centric analysis of the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) industry, covering market opportunities and risks across a range of retail categories.

Key Points: 
  • This report provides a detailed data-centric analysis of the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) industry, covering market opportunities and risks across a range of retail categories.
  • Amid the cost-of-living crisis, an ever-increasing number of Britons are turning to buy now pay later schemes to pay their bills.
  • The report expects more such strategic collaborations in the United Kingdom BNPL market over the medium term.
  • United Kingdom BNPL Market Size and Spending Pattern, 2020-2029
    United Kingdom Buy Now Pay Later Revenue Analysis, 2020-2029
    United Kingdom Buy Now Pay Later Operational KPIs & Statistics, 2020-2029
    United Kingdom BNPL by Purpose, 2020-2029
    United Kingdom BNPL by Business Model, 2020-2029
    United Kingdom BNPL by Merchant Ecosystem, 2020-2029
    United Kingdom BNPL by Distribution Model Analysis, 2020-2029

Fuel poverty: as government support dries up, communities are taking action

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

That’s according to a report from the charity Citizens Advice, which says it is helping more people than ever who cannot pay for energy.

Key Points: 
  • That’s according to a report from the charity Citizens Advice, which says it is helping more people than ever who cannot pay for energy.
  • Soaring heating expenses, stagnating or declining wages and poorly maintained housing have marred millions of lives with debt and poor health.
  • Estimates suggest that 10% of excess winter deaths are directly attributable to fuel poverty and 21.5% to cold homes.

National schemes don’t go far enough

  • The government energy bill support scheme gave every household a £400 discount on their energy bills for winter 2022-2023.
  • Now some households could get £150 off their electricity bill (or added to their prepayment meter) for winter 2023-2024 under the warm home discount scheme.
  • Your local council may have other schemes so it is worth checking.
  • People may be unaware of their eligibility for the warm home discount and struggle to contact their energy supplier, as is sometimes required in Scotland.
  • They may also be loath to contact their local authority for information on nearby “warm spaces” – public places that anyone can use to stay warm, like libraries.

Warm communities

  • But our research shows that people in poverty and ethnic minority groups often do not trust city councils and local political representatives.
  • Community Energy England, a not-for-profit company, provides free resources for people who want to start community energy projects.
  • Money raised from selling this electricity has helped repay investors and funded insulation and other energy efficiency improvements for vulnerable people.

More help is needed

  • Our research also indicates that higher unemployment rates, low wages, and limited career progression in low-paid sectors frequently ends in fuel poverty, particularly among people in lower socioeconomic classes and especially those from Black communities.
  • The support currently offered should expand to involve community-led approaches to improve energy efficiency and help those in dire need.


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Tolu Olarewaju does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Consumer champion Justin Gutmann Announces £3 billion plus 'Loyalty Penalty' Class Action claim against UK's largest mobile network operators

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 8, 2023

Consumer champion and former Citizens Advice executive, Justin Gutmann is bringing the case against the UK's four largest mobile phone network operators: Vodafone, EE, Three, and O2, and their respective parent companies.

Key Points: 
  • Consumer champion and former Citizens Advice executive, Justin Gutmann is bringing the case against the UK's four largest mobile phone network operators: Vodafone, EE, Three, and O2, and their respective parent companies.
  • The £3bn plus claim alleges that the companies used their market dominance to overcharge on up to 28.2 million UK mobile phone contracts.
  • LONDON, Dec. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer rights champion Justin Gutmann and the law firm Charles Lyndon have today announced that class action proceedings have been launched against Vodafone, EE, Three, and O2 (the "Loyalty Penalty Claim").
  • Mr Gutmann alleges the mobile operators have overcharged on up to 28.2 million contracts and, as a result, is seeking damages of at least £3.285 billion.

Why heating your home this winter may be even harder than last year

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

The UK government attempted to alleviate the impact of rocketing bills with a package of support measures.

Key Points: 
  • The UK government attempted to alleviate the impact of rocketing bills with a package of support measures.
  • But that’s not the case for many billpayers – in fact, this winter is likely to be worse than the last for many households.
  • Although the unit prices of electricity and gas have fallen, there has been a steep increase in standing charges.
  • In fact, some low-income households use such small amounts of energy that they are paying little more than their standing charges.

Energy bill rebates ended

    • The £400 energy bill rebate paid to all households last winter has now ended.
    • This reflects the fact that energy is often seen by struggling households as something that can be rationed.

Cold homes can kill

    • Research last winter found that households in fuel poverty were underheating their homes, causing damp and mould that can create serious health problems and exacerbating anguish and stress.
    • The health risks of a cold home increase with repeated exposure.

What can be done to help?

    • There must be increased investment in efforts to insulate the UK’s leaky housing stock.
    • But with winter just weeks away, what can the government do right now?
    • Lucie Middlemiss receives funding from Horizon 2020, the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions and the British Academy.
    • She has previously received funding from the UK Energy Research Centre (UKRI) and the Nuffield Foundation.

Martin Searle Solicitors run their annual October 2023 campaign "Disability Matters" to stamp out Disability Discrimination in the Workplace

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 18, 2023

BRIGHTON, United Kingdom, Sept. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- This October, Martin Searle Solicitors' Employment Law team are launching 'Disability Matters', their annual campaign to stamp out disability discrimination at work. This campaign will concentrate on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other medical conditions such as Long Covid and Fibromyalgia, which can produce similar symptoms.

Key Points: 
  • This October, Martin Searle Solicitors' Employment Law team are launching 'Disability Matters', their annual campaign to stamp out disability discrimination at work.
  • BRIGHTON, United Kingdom, Sept. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- This October, Martin Searle Solicitors ' Employment Law team are launching 'Disability Matters', their annual campaign to stamp out disability discrimination at work.
  • - Fiona Martin, Director and Head of Employment Law
    Despite disability discrimination in the workplace being outlawed we are dealing with increasing numbers of employees experiencing discrimination.
  • Martin Searle Solicitors are providing a free 30 minute confidential advice line for employers and employees on disability rights and employer duties throughout October 2023.

Energy price cap: a targeted 'social tariff' must be part of a much wider set of reforms

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 25, 2023

The British energy regulator Ofgem has announced the energy price cap for the last quarter of 2023, including early winter.

Key Points: 
  • The British energy regulator Ofgem has announced the energy price cap for the last quarter of 2023, including early winter.
  • Gas and electricity should be slightly cheaper than last year, but they are still too expensive.
  • The problem is the cap itself which, as I have written before, was never designed to keep energy affordable.

Energy price cap for this winter

    • It is good news that the price cap for the period between October and December is lowering slightly.
    • Experts predict that the price cap will rise again slightly in the first quarter of 2024.

Time for a social tariff?

    • On this basis, Brearley says Ofgem “would welcome a debate on the future of pricing regulation” and that the regulator is willing to “work with government on all options, including a social tariff”.
    • Among charities, consumer groups and industry, there is broad support for a social tariff targeted at people struggling with their bills.
    • Could a social tariff be developed that varies with income and energy use, as suggested by Citizens Advice?

Tinkering at the edges with energy affordability

    • Existing schemes such as the Warm Home Discount are operated by energy suppliers, with costs met through all consumer bills.
    • More generally, the “who pays” question is one that has already been raised and answered for the firms that supply energy to homes and businesses.
    • As such, it would make sense for any overhaul of the energy price cap to be part of a broader review to improve energy affordability.

Regulators including Ofgem use codes of practice to curb bad behaviour by businesses –– how to tell if this works

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 5, 2023

UK energy regulator Ofgem wants to make its voluntary code of practice on prepayment meters compulsory.

Key Points: 
  • UK energy regulator Ofgem wants to make its voluntary code of practice on prepayment meters compulsory.
  • It introduced the code in April 2022 to protect people from being forced onto prepayment meters for gas and electricity.
  • Instead, Ofgem launched a code of practice in April to which UK energy companies voluntarily signed up.

What is a code of practice?

    • Regulators or industry bodies use a code of practice that typically cover the behaviour and actions of professions, companies or industries.
    • They are often voluntary, are sometimes referred to as self-regulation and can be developed by political institutions or by companies themselves.
    • Even the teachers at your children’s school are covered by a code of conduct.

Critiquing the code

    • Companies and industries have been criticised for using voluntary codes as a public relations tool to change perceptions rather than rooting out unethical practices.
    • Many codes are also believed to include little in terms of content that would lead to a meaningful change in practice.
    • Instead they often simply list what they are legally obliged to do or what they’re already doing.
    • It’s important that new practices are actually adopted as a result, as is the degree to which the code is embedded in the organisations.

What should you expect from a code of practice?

    • First, what does the code says about how behaviour will be monitored and enforced, and what are the consequences of noncompliance?
    • Based on the available academic evidence outlined above, Ofgem’s code could help to reduce unethical behaviour in the energy industry.
    • Ofgem’s decision to make the code compulsory would be a good way to ensure this happens.