News archive (2008)
The Edited Electoral Register became an issue in 2008. In July, the Information Commissioner recommended the edited version of the Electoral Roll, which local authorities are legally obliged to sell to anyone prepared to pay a standard fee, is abolished.
The Local Government Association wholeheartedly endorsed the proposal, and in November Government announced it would hold a public consultation on the recommendation. As per usual, it would take Government another year to start the consultation, and as at 12 June 2011 it has still not responded to the consultation.
Scams were also in the news regularly. The Office Fair Trading got more funding for its annual Scamnesty campaign and Scambusters team, and Government introduced new consumer protection regulations to clamp down on unfair sales and marketing practices.
Junk mail news in 2008
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Government to hold public consultation on Edited Register
- Government has today announced it will start a public consultation on the Information Commissioner's recommendation to scrap the Edited Electoral Register.
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Addressed junk mail rates continue to fall
- The economic downturn, cheaper ways of sending junk mail and increasing concern about waste caused by junk mail has led to a 6.2% drop in direct mail spend.
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Liberal Democrats told off for junk calls
- The Information Commissioner's Office has taken enforcement action against the Liberal Democrats after the party made 250,000 automated phone calls.
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More pressure on Government to stop selling electoral roll
- A survey by the Local Government Association shows that an overwhelming majority of elections officers support a ban on the sale of the Edited Electoral Register.
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Falkirk urges residents to watch out for junk mail scams
- Falkirk Council has warned residents to be aware the area has become a focus for fraudsters in recent weeks. Both householders and businesses are being targeted.
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Bulk mailers angered by 'unnecessary' DMA standard
- Marketeers have reacted with anger at the possibility of a new environmental standard for direct mail. The Direct Marketing Association has reiterated its support for PAS 2020.
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Councils could face ban on selling Electoral Register
- Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has recommended abolishing the Edited Electoral Register. If accepted, local councils will no longer be legally obliged to sell voters' name and address to junk mailers.
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Government responds to Go Dutch petition
- Government today responded to Stop Junk Mail's petition for an easier and more effective system for opting out of junk mail, stating it currently has "no plans to take measures to restrict" junk mail.
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Stricter bulk mail standards likely to be approved
- The Direct Marketing Association has endorsed proposals for stricter standards for direct mail. 'PAS 2020' will be a voluntary industry code, but the lobby group anticipates a high take up.
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New campaign to 'name and shame the junkies'
- A 'UK Junk Mail Award' has been launched in a bid to 'name and shame' businesses that excessively use junk mail as a form of marketing. People are invited to nominate "annoying, irresponsible and environmentally unfriendly" junk mailers.
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Charities charged for stamped Freepost letters
- Putting a stamp on Freepost envelopes does not save charities money. It will help Royal Mail though; the company will get paid twice for delivering such items.
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192.com calling for telephone directory opt-out
- Online directory 192.com has launched a campaign for a central opt-out scheme for paper directories. Such a scheme should be based on the Mailing Preference Service.
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New consumer protection laws
- The biggest overhaul of consumer protection laws in 40 years has come into force today. The Consumer Protection Regulations bans 31 types of unfair sales practices outright and close loopholes that rogue traders have so far been able to exploit.
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Charity junk mail attracts large number of complaints
- Nearly a third of all complaints about charity fundraising relate to 'direct mail'. The Fundraising Standards Board had expected face to face fundraising would attract most complaints.
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17.5 million unwanted business directories
- A poll by welovelocal.com suggests 35% of Brits would prefer not to receive printed business directories at home – preferring instead to look up information on the internet or to go by recommendations from friends.
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Persistent junk mailers could face prison
- New Government regulations could result in marketeers consistently ignoring the wishes of consumers facing a prison sentence of up to two years.
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New regulations could stop scams
- The Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is planning to introduce new regulations to clamp down on unfair sales and marketing practices.
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South African scam company banned from UK
- The Office of Fair Trading has obtained assurances from a South African marketing agency that it will no longer send misleading mailings to UK consumers.
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Government still considering junk mail opt-in
- Joan Ruddock, Minister for Climate Change, Biodiversity and Waste, has warned the direct marketing industry that a 'junk mail opt-in' is still on Government's agenda.
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Charity sector accused of mismanagement data
- The Read Group Plc has accused the charity sector of mailing millions of people who have either moved or died. Charities are 'abusing the trust of its donors', according to the company.
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East Sussex starts 'No Junk Mail' campaign
- East Sussex County Council has started an anti-junk mail campaign in a bid to reduce the amount waste the county produces. People in East Sussux can get a free information pack and 'No Junk Mail' sticker.
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OFT launches nationwide 'Scamnesty' campaign
- The Office for Fair Trading is today launching a nationwide 'Scamnesty' campaign. Members of the public are asked to drop scam mailings in bins placed at libraries and other public buildings.
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Scambusters gets £7.5 million boost
- Government has announced it will invest £7.5 million in further developing the Trading Standards 'Scambusters' teams around the country. The announcement comes during the Office of Fair Trading's 'Scams Awareness Month'.
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Junk mail firm taken to court over scam
- A large junk mail scam could be shut down in weeks after the Office of Fair Trading decided to take a junk mail firm based in the Netherlands to court.
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OFT launches Scams Awareness Month
- The Office of Fair Trading today launches Scams Awareness Month. Its aim is to 'highlight the hidden misery of thousands of elderly and vulnerable consumers'.
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Complaint about junk mail from Cancer Research UK not upheld
- In its first adjudication, the Fundraising Standards Board has rejected a complaint about mailings from Cancer Research UK, although the compainant 'had grounds for being annoyed'.