UKRN has published research on consumers’ attitudes towards the identification, collection and sharing of data relating to their vulnerabilities. This is an executive summary of the key findings. If you would like to get in touch with us about this work, please contact: Kathryn.Hardy_UKRN@caa.co.uk

UKRN Young Professionals Network (YPN) has published its Newsletter for Autumn 2020. This edition provides a summary of the first all-virtual YPN event in August where representatives from Ofwat, Ofcom and FCA gave an overview of the impacts Covid-19 has had on their sectors. It also highlights the newly established Regulators in Scotland Exchange that brings together regulators with a presence in Scotland, features conversations with new and former YPN representatives, and provides information about the YPN’s regular small-group coffee randomiser.

UKRN have published a literature review  into the effects of the UK Regulatory model. This paper has been produced for UKRN by the University of East Anglia’s Centre for Competition Policy (CCP). This paper reviews research on the effects of the UK regulatory model on competition, consumers, investment and innovation, with a particular focus on energy, telecommunications and water sectors. Overall, the regulatory model has largely delivered its initial economic objectives. The paper is not a simple summary of the literature, but an analytical review that integrates the research findings into a concise whole. While not purporting to be primary research, this synthesis does provide some thoughts about areas in which current information seems inadequate or there is particular merit in new or ongoing research. This review is particularly relevant at a time when the role and effectiveness of regulators are being questioned in multiple domains. Maintaining a strong focus on the economic performance of regulated sectors remains of paramount importance for UK consumers and for UK productivity and competitiveness.

This document provides a short, easy to digest set of tips for firms thinking about how they identify consumers in vulnerable circumstances. It is particularly useful for firms looking to improve existing identification strategies and/or bring new ones into practice. These tips are based on existing research and best practice within this this area. This user guide is based on insights drawn from a literature review commissioned by the UKRN on ‘the challenge of identifying vulnerability’. For more information you can find the full literature review here

UKRN have today published a literature review on identifying vulnerable consumers conducted by Britain Thinks.  We have also published an accompanying user guide that  provides a short, easy to digest set of tips for firms thinking about how they identify consumers in vulnerable circumstances, based on insights drawn from the literature review. The findings from this review will be used to inform UKRN members and regulated firms what the existing research says about identification. The idea is that by facilitating better identification of consumers in vulnerable circumstances, all organisations in the sector can do a better job at meeting their needs. UKRN have also commissioned research to explore vulnerable consumers’ attitudes towards the identification, collection and sharing of data relating to their vulnerability which we are looking to publish in the coming months.

UKRN Newsletter for July 2020. In this latest edition we provide an update on the UKRN’s COVID-19 response, detail the appointment of new UKRN CEO, Chair and full member, and feature an article on COVID-19’s effect on the aviation industry by Richard Moriarty, the CEO of the CAA.

The ongoing issues surrounding COVID-19 are having a profound impact on the consumers and citizens we serve, on our members, and the sectors we regulate. Ensuring consumers in vulnerable circumstances receive the support they need is central to the UK Regulators Network and is also a key priority for the FCA, Ofcom, Ofgem and Ofwat in their sectors, now so more than ever. Today the UKRN has published its response to an earlier call from government for greater consistency of experience for consumers in vulnerable circumstances. This reflects work we did previously with four of our members – the FCA, Ofcom, Ofgem and Ofwat – to identify the support that consumers in vulnerable situations, including those with mental health problems, cognitive impairments and dementia, should receive across regulated markets. It also identifies areas where we believe further collaboration across regulators could improve the experiences of consumers in vulnerable circumstances. The work that informed our response was completed before March 2020, when the government and regulators began publicising the steps they were and are taking in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. For information on the support available to vulnerable consumers affected by the current crisis please visit official regulator and government websites:  FCA: https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/information-firms-coronavirus-covid-19-response and https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/coronavirus-covid-19 Ofcom: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/policies-and-guidelines/coronavirus-information and https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/stay-connected Ofgem: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/coronavirus Ofwat : https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/information-on-the-water-industry-and-coronavirus-covid-19/ Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

UKRN Newsletter for March 2020. In this latest edition we outline the UKRN’s COVID-19 response and highlight a number of recent UKRN publications and events, including our new workplan and February vulnerability event.

The UKRN has published its Annual Report and Workplan for 2020/21 in which we set out what we achieved in the last year and how we will build on this to improve outcomes for consumers and the economy across the sectors our members regulate. The UKRN brings together regulators to collaborate to improve outcomes for consumers and the economy. In 2019-20 we increased our capacity, working with our members on a range of issues across infrastructure investment, data sharing and support for vulnerable consumers. Our Annual Report sets out some of the things we achieved in that year. In 2020/21, we will build on this, with a focus on three priority areas: Collaboration on infrastructure and investment; Using data to support consumers in vulnerable circumstances; Working better together. The ongoing issues surrounding COVID-19 are having a profound impact on the consumers and citizens we serve, on our members, and the sectors we regulate. In turn this is likely to change the timing and focus for some of our current projects, as well as necessitating new projects. We will be keeping our workplan under review and be ready to respond to events. While timescales and details of our work may change, we still expect the priority areas we have identified to remain relevant. At this time of national crisis, collaboration between our members on the issues facing the sectors they regulate is more important than ever.