On Your Behalf

By BBC Radio UlsterBusiness

On Your Behalf episodes

April 27, 2023 Episode 3 - Canada
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
28 min
April 27, 2023 Episode 2 - Germany
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
24 min
April 27, 2023 Episode 1 - Spain
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
21 min
April 22, 2023 Accessing help as a carer
Carer Allan Leonard on the challenges of accessing help and support
12 min
April 15, 2023 Travel Troubles
Travel expert Simon Calder shares travel tips ahead of the summer holiday season.
29 min
April 08, 2023 Easter Travel and Childcare
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.
17 min
April 01, 2023 Dodgy Cars & Wonky Kitchens
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.
26 min
March 25, 2023 Private Health Care & Community Funding
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.
18 min
March 18, 2023 Budget 2023: Benefits, Pensions and Childcare
Linda and guests discuss what the 2023 Budget means for people in Northern Ireland.
55 min
March 11, 2023 Energy Prices and Consumer Guru Jimmy Hughes
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.
55 min

About On Your Behalf

From the publisher's feed

Anna Curran 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: