Electric Ireland pulls out of the domestic market in Northern Ireland - What does it mean for Consumers?The march of AI continues - this time the bots are taking over the PR Industry!The Competition and Markets authority tell us why filling up the tank on your car has been getting more expensive over the last few years, why Disability Benefits may be under threat from the government, the listener whose boots weren't made for walking - or anything else - because they never turned up and how safe is your pre-paid funeral plan?

Linda is joined by Independent Travel Editor Simon Calder and Michelle Kelly from the Consumer Council to discuss consumer rights and top tips for stress free travel.What happens when you're blind and travelling with a guide dog. Andrew McConnell from CAA explains what the law says. Hiring a car - how to avoid the pitfalls and not end up with unwelcome extras. We hear from one young woman who told Disney her fiance had died early on the morning of their special trip and that's why she hadn't given them 72 hours cancellation notice. Disney refused to budge on a refund!As Great Victoria Street railway station closes in just a matter of days what happens to schools and commuters? And the £340 million question - Is the new Grand Centra Station on track to open this autumn?

Ninety percent of us are worried about the cost of essentials - food, fuel, shelter and utilities. The consumer council share some tips on how to make your money go further.Carers NI tells us that this week’s Stormont budget could be catastrophic for unpaid Carers. Craig Harrison is in the studio with Linda to explain why. Next week is a Bank Holiday weekend which is always a good time for DIY but if your skills are lacking could Bryson House and its Handyman scheme help out?And lightning strikes twice for one listener's BT line while another isn't yodelling when his hiking boots fail to arrive!

This week everything you ever wanted to know about your Rates bill but were afraid to ask. Sharon Magee, Chief Executive at Land & Property Services, explains all. If you are struggling to pay your rates bill there is help available. Matt Cole from Advice NI joins Linda in the studio. Stormont debates scrapping the Two Child limit for benefits but worries about the cost. Andy McClenaghan from the Cliff Edge coalition tells Linda that the money should be seen as an investment to combat child poverty. And Parenting NI is rebranding ....What will Parenting Focus do differently – Muriel Bailey explains the new direction. And finally waiting lists for MOT's that caused breakdown assistance problems for many Radio Ulster listeners but the AA and RAC have now agreed to help stranded drivers here temporarily.

There is still no sign of a Childcare strategy for Northern Ireland and we receive less government support for parents than anywhere else in the UK.Linda speaks to Casey McGivern from Melted Parents and Aoife Hamilton from Employers for Childcare about how parents are coping. Do you know how to fill in a CV or job application? Consultant Helen Todd teaches Linda her to beat the robots and get to the interview stage. And Linda talks to Laura Dowie from Timely Careers about the help and support available for those going back to work or changing career. Finally your money may be safe in the Bank but can you get it out when you want? - not according to our listener John who is not at all happy. We discover how new Financial regulations can make it tricky to withdraw cash.

Simon Murray from The Law Society gives advice for people living in apartments and town houses that have communal areas like car parks and green areas. These are normally maintained by a management company but what happens if the company goes bust? Listener Tom encountered just such a problem when he came to sell his house.Carers in England, Scotland and Wales are going to be entitled to 5 days unpaid leave from their employers under a new law, but not in Northern Ireland. We hear from carer Natasha about how her job is a lifeline for her to take a break from the pressures of caring for her two children and Craig Harrison from Carers NI calls for the legislation to be introduced here.And, are you going to an EU country on holiday this year? Make sure you check your passport as it is no longer possible to enter the EU if your passport was issued less than 10 years from the date you enter the country. The price of a UK passport is also going up next week on Thursday 11 April. Money Saving Expert’s Peter Lekarski has the details.

On the programme this week - Everything you ever wanted to know about cars but were afraid to ask! Consumer guru and car aficianado Jimmy Hughes and Motor Ombudsman Bill Fennell talk to Linda about everything from wear and tear to finance, leasing and breakdowns.Have you had a bad experience with the health service but don’t know what to do? Linda goes to the Helplines NI annual awareness day and speaks to Una McKernon from the Patient Client Council about their role in fixing problems.We also visit the All Ireland Sustainability conference and find out why the Competition and Markets Authority are looking at greenwashing!And while Jimmy is here we also look at the tale of Goldilocks and the 3 mattresses.Would it be the soft, the medium or the firm that was just right!

The workplace has changed forever and employers now have to offer flexible working as part of the job. But are a new generation of workers missing out by working from home? Emily and Martin came to On Your Behalf when Amazon said the One Time Code had been scanned and therefore they'd got their orders. Spoilers - they didn’t, but things changed once we got involved.Easter Travel - The CAA tell us the pitfalls to avoid! The strange case of HMRC's helpline. On Tuesday it was being shut down for 6 months but the next day that decision was reversed. Linda talks to Tax expert Adrian Huston. Is the future of tax online?And Challenging Ageism - a fifth of older people feel they're treated differently because of their age. Eddie Lynch Commissioner for Older People talks to Linda about their latest research.

This week we look at the cost of living. Research from the Consumer Council shows that half of Northern Ireland households have less than £90 per week after their essential spending costs.Was there any help in the budget? is there any help coming from Stormont? Benefits Adviser Rachel Jeffers is in the studio.The cost of mobile phone and broadband contracts are about to rise mid contract but there are ways skip those price hikes and U Switch will tell us how.We're looking at Helplines - many and varied with Clodagh Crowe and Claire O’Prey ahead of the annual Helplines NI gathering. Last week we talked about the rights to property and finances for cohabiting couples when relationships break down. This week we're looking at alternative resolutions with Joan Davis from Family Mediation NI.

Money talks - money matters - money's tight. Linda talks to solicitor Karen Connolly about the financial realities for women when they divorce or come out of a long term relationship.James Jones and John Webb from Experian the Credit Reference Agency are in Northern Ireland to talk to health workers about their financial concerns.I was with them at Altnagelvin Hospital earlier in the week as they ran a financial clinic. We also look at money and the cost of energy - A quarter of Northern Ireland’s households are left with less than £32 per week after paying for essentials according to the Consumer Council.Raymond Gormley Head of Energy at the Consumer Council tells Linda how to make sure you're getting the best deal on your fuel. And Linda heads to a teachers event designed to inspire financial wellbeing for young people where two P6 teachers planned a "Dragons Den" type challenge between their classes.

Listener Hazel tells Linda McAuley about the stress of struggling to get an MOT test slot booked. And chief executive of DVA, Jeremy Logan, explains how his organisation is continuing to increase test capacity, and how a car owner can book a last minute test to get the MOT they'll need if their car tax is up for renewal.A nurse explains why her caring responsibilities at home meant she had to give up up work after 36 years: a recent report suggests she is not alone with one in four women cutting their hours to accommodate caring responsibilities and one in three women giving up work early.People with disabilities face challenges getting into work: Linda hears about support on offer from the NOW Group and chats to three people attending an event to find out about options and opportunities to get help and support into employment.And being safe in your home isn't just about being safe from fire, from electrical faults, and your personal safety. It's also about staying safe on your devices and online activity.You can contact the programme at any time on [email protected]

Do employers write off the over 60s who still want to work?

A show about journeys. Two experts join Linda in the studio to discuss the continuing rollout of Universal Credit. We hear about the new integrated transport hub and how it will change journeys into and across the city of Belfast. What happened when a listener's mother tried to switch her bank account? And London's night czar Amy Lamé explains what contributes to a safe and vibrant nighttime economy.

As the final cost of living payment is sent out this week we bring you a tale of 2 Prime Ministers! Rishi Sunak says pressures are easing for families but Gordon Brown says the government has created obscene levels of destitution not seen in generations!Siobhan Harding from the Women’s Support Network and Rachel Jeffers from Banbridge Advice Centre tell Linda what they are seeing at the grassroots.Divorce is traumatic enough but women often overlook one of the biggest financial assets in a settlement. Linda finds out why not including pensions leads to a big loss in later years.We have lots of listener queries from online grocery problems to mobile phones and credit. And if you are flying off for half term don’t get your car stuck at the airport on your return – Motoring journalist Maria McCarthy has some top tips.

No trains or automobiles but we are talking a lot about Planes. The Consumer Council are in the studio to explain your rights when it all goes wrong. Debt continues to be a big problem amidst the cost of Living Crisis. Advice NI dealt with 4000 cases last year and we'll hear from them and one woman they helped when her debt reached nearly £20,000. We're also helping listeners with everything from Christmas presents to grocery deliveries And OFCOM wants to know how you feel about the future of the Royal Mail!

Today we're taking an in depth look at childcare in Northern Ireland and why we are losing out compared to the rest of the UK.We hear from childcare providers, parents and experts.And take an overview of the importance of early learning – it’s not just about who's minding the baby!The Public Service Ombudsman is Margaret Kelly and you've probably heard her on Television or radio, or on this programme talking about major issues like nursing homes, but she's also there for the smaller issues.This morning I'm going to find out what she does and who she can help.

Oil tanks – the saga continues as new building regulations might mean your tank needs to move. Blue Monday became Brew Monday last week and this week its Budget Monday. Linda talks to Christians Against Poverty about how they can help those in debt. Which? magazine tell us why they think mid-contract rises for broadband are immoral and should be made illegal. And have you got a shock recently when your insurance renewal came through the door. Malcolm Tarling from the Association of British Insurers tells Linda why prices have gone up so much in the last year.

Christmas is a distant memory and the nights are still dark and cold but is describing the start of next week as Blue Monday helpful? Fiona McClelland from The Samaritans tells Linda why they prefer Brew Monday with a cuppa and chat. It has been cold this week and Raymond Gormley from the Consumer Council is recommending that you check your oil tank. If it ruptures the cost could be astronomical! We also help a listener whose car was written off by his insurance company who then went on to auto renew the policy for the next 2 years. We also find out why Northern Ireland uses more cash than the rest of the UK and why silver surfers are ruling the internet?

Tackling textiles, Plane Pains & Button Batteries

The useful. The surprising. The vital - we're looking back at what we've learned in 2023

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat ... but do you know for how long and at what temperature your dinner should be in the oven? Linda McAuley will be finding out from her guests how you can avoid some of the things that go wrong at Christmas. Airports and ferry terminals are at their busiest and cancellations can disrupt plan for family reunions. The postal and parcel delivery networks don't always keep their promises. Not every present works when the box is opened. Can you exchange those socks for a pair that fits? And what are the rules around refunds? Linda's joined by travel expert Sandra Corken, consumer guru Jimmy Hughes, and the Consumer Council's Richard Williams.

Tis the season to avoid the scammers! Linda looks at banking scams and the use of AI to make them more sophisticated. She talks to Tony Neate from Get Safe Online about how to shop safely for Christmas and avoid common mistakes. The NSPCC have advice on smartphones for Christmas and Advice NI have created Digital Champions to help people embrace and understand the online world. And there is never a bad time to talk about retirement particularly if you are in 40’s or 50’s!

Linda visits Kilkeel which has gone from a town with no banks to having a hub with a different bank there each day.And there are four more of these Banking Hubs planned for N Ireland.With the average cost of a full time childcare place in NI more than £10,000 a year who is staying home to mind the baby? Linda talks to Aoife Hamilton who has published this year's NI Childcare report. And the knock on affect for women's pensions when it’s time to retire. Alison Nicolson from Scottish Widows tells us why three quarters of single moms face pension poverty. Johnny came to On Your Behalf when his identity was stolen, and his credit rating plummeted making getting a new mortgage very tricky. And as people struggle to pay the bills, Buy Now Pay Later becomes the second most used form of Credit in N Ireland.

One month after devastating floods in Downpatrick Linda meets traders to see if they can get back to business in time for Christmas. Consumer guru Jimmy Hughes is in the studio with his list of Christmas do’s and don’ts and to answer listener queries. And Michael Legge from the Consumer Council gets us up to date with Christmas postal dates and parcel advice. It’s Energy Saving Week and we investigate whether Geo-Energy has a future in Northern Ireland.

Carers NI latest research shows that unpaid carers are saving the economy £5.8 billion a year. Linda looks at the research and talks to a woman who has been caring for her mother for thirty years. Simon Murray from the Law Society joins Linda in the studio to answer listener questions on wills and power of attorney. And ahead of Energy Saving Week Kevin McGarry from the Energy Saving Trust has tips on saving money and we look at the potential for Geo-Energy in Northern Ireland. Finally we help one listener who faced losing 48 percent of her tax refund to a company she had never heard of.

Universal credit – six benefits into one - affects hundreds of thousands of people in Northern Ireland. All those on legacy benefits are now being transferred. Linda visits Limavady Jobs and Benefits Office to see how the process works. Paddy Rooney from the Dept of Communities and Kevin Higgins from Advice NI are in the studio to answer questions. Linda also talks to optician Sam Baird about why the move to Universal Credit is affecting free eye and dental care. We also help one listener who is paying a daily roaming charge on her mobile phone despite never crossing the border and brace ourselves for the Black Friday sales. Consumer Expert Martyn James tells Linda why the bargains are not all they are cracked up to be and how to protect yourself from scams.

Winter is here and food and energy costs are still very high. Linda talks to Philippa Mckeown-Brown and Raymond Gormley from the Consumer Council about how to get the best deals possible. It’s flu season but take up of this year’s vaccine is lagging behind in Northern Ireland. Linda talks to Dr Hilary Jones about the reasons behind the reluctance. We also follow up on the case of the fire that destroyed lots of wedding dresses but so far the insurance has not paid out. And Cash v Card – Is Linda selfish for using her phone to pay for a newspaper? One listener thinks so but UK finance has a more measured approach.

After the devastation brought by flooding to many parts of Northern Ireland, Paul Hatty, spokesperson for The British Insurance Brokers Association, explains what insurance can and cannot do in regards to claims. He also has advice for a number of listeners about claiming for dental work with travel insurance and how postcodes can change the amount you pay for insurance. Also, consumer expert Alice Beer has some tips to take some of the financial stress out of the fast approaching Christmas season.

Your nearest bank is your Post Office , that's what it says on the bill hoardings! But is that enough to fill the gap when your bank shuts up shop? Linda visits a new banking hub in Holywood post office to see what people think. It costs to care. New research shows almost half the carers in Northern Ireland are living in poverty. Linda hears from Barbara who cares for 2 autistic children and Craig Harrison from Carers NI who thinks the benefit system is failing carers. Also on the programme the Trussell trust explains why their food banks are giving out Sim Cards and we hear from the Consumer Council on passenger rights when things go wrong at airports.

This week we look at the financial reality for single and separated parents. Linda joins Parenting NI at Stormont as they highlight the daily struggle faced by many. Have you heard of AbilityNet? We hadn't but it's a charity that provides free IT support to older people and people with a disability. Linda goes on a house call to help one client learn how to get connected online. And On a wet stormy week we look at current travel hotspots and also talk to ATOL about protecting your package holidays.

The migration to Universal Credit is upon us and people on a range of benefits will be receiving letters to migrate to the new system. We ask Paddy Rooney, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Welfare and Benefits at the Dept for Communities and Kevin Higgins from Advice N.I. what the practicalities are. Also, Samantha Gallagher, Assistant Manager and Welfare Rights Specialist with Fermanagh Community Advice centre will be telling us how Universal Credit will affect the rural community. It's Book Week across BBC Radio Ulster, Foyle and Sounds and Peter Hughes of Libraries NI has news of new apps from libraries allowing you to borrow e-books, and read magazines and newspapers. Solicitor Simon Murray and Charted Surveyor Samuel Dicky have information about how the conveyancing process has changed to make it easier for consumers.

Over a third of adults in the UK have no idea what kind of help is available when it comes to end of life care. Sara talks to Ciara Gallagher from Marie Curie about why we need to talk about this and also what support is available. We also have lots of listener queries including Johns lost deeds, Patricks frozen bank account, Paul’s unfrozen food and John’s boiler replacement scheme woes. Finally Liam Neeson is looking for you, he will find you and he will help you. Find out why the Hollywood star is supporting a new service here called FindhelpNi that will connect people to over 400 health and community groups.

Linda McAuley 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: OYB BBC Ormeau Avenue BELFAST BT2 8HQ

We're talking about the move from landlines to Digital Voice BT's new digital phone service. Linda visits the BT roadshow to find out what happens if there's a power cut or if you have a personal safety or burglar alarm. We're talking about the cost of childcare and about the challenges for childcare providers with Aoife Hamilton from Employers for Childcare and Becca Harper from Melted Parents. Also the experiences of blind and partially sighted people who are also living with cancer and the additional barriers they face. And if there's a young adult in your household there may be a pot of gold waiting for them from the Child Trust Fund.

The Car hire traps that can cost you thousands of pounds – if you are 59 minutes lates then they can cancel your booking. Linda talks to Guy Hobbs from Consumer group Which. She also joins the Commissioner for Older People at a roadshow in Armagh and helps the listeners bumped of a flight by Loganair. And in the biggest change in a generation James Stinson from OFCOM tells Linda how the move from copper wires to broadband for phonelines will work.

The Leaky Caravan that didn't do well during the wettest July on record, the listener still being charged for a bed that was never delivered and the tax refund that shrank when an online firm got involved. Also can a shop change its mind after you have bought and paid for something? Consumer Guru Jimmy Hughes joins Linda to sort out our listener woes.

Its back to school this week with School uniforms, mobile phones and everything in between - it all adds up to a big bill for parents. Siobhan Harding from the Womens Support Network and Matt Cole from Advice NI join Linda to talk about the help that is available. Also on the programme when should kids get mobile phones and are earbuds destroying young people's hearing? Audiologist Feraz Ashraf is worried. And if you were caught up in this week's flight chaos can you get compensation. Andrew McConnell from the CAA says the answer is Yes and No! Finally jump aboard the Tardis with one of our listeners whose Broadband Connection is taking him back to the 1990's.

Some anglers at Loughgall Country Park aren't happy with changes that mean going fishing can't be a spontaneous decision but now needs 48 hours notice to access the lakeside. If you break down on the side of the road in England will your breakdown cover get you and your vehicle home? We hear from one family whose van has been in limbo for three and a half weeks. And with GCSE results out this week, child benefit will stop for some children unless parents tell HMRC that their children are staying in education. Linda McAuley finds out more.

Linda McAuley hears about a library that can help your next DIY job. What financial pressures are parents under with uniforms and other charges in the run up to schools going back? A listener's car was recalled with an airbag safety issue, but the dealer was slow to fix it. And do you need a licence to listen to music in work?

Linda McAuley is joined by a panel from Further and Higher Education colleges, and from Housing Rights, to discuss the options facing students who are hoping to enter third level education in September. How does clearing work? What pitfalls should be avoided when signing up for accommodation? Tips for financial management? And how courses – vocational as well as academic – can be accessed in different ways, at different ages and stages, not just when you’re 18.

The changing face of The Post Office as they move from stand alone buildings on the high street to being incorporated into filling stations and local shops. A new ‘Sensory Xperience’ for autistic children and adults has opened in Armagh. Why a local football club is 3 thousand pounds out of pocket because of flight delays and E-Bikes and E-Scooters and the danger of lithium-ion battery fires and what can be done to charge them safely.

Richard Williams from the Consumer Council explains your rights whether you're travelling by ferry or flight. Sinéad Campbell from Advice N.I. has some financial advice for parents struggling through the school holidays. Mark McAllister from the Labour Relations Agency explains why the Flexible Working Act isn't being implemented in N.I. and Philippa McKeown-Brown from the Consumer Council on people with food hyper-sensitivities.

Consumer guru Jimmy Hughes responds to listeners' problems, including claiming insurance for concert tickets that couldn't be used, the flights to Uganda that seemed too good to be true, and when the brakes came off a golf trolley. Also, guidance around buying or driving an electric car.

ABTA rep and travel agent Sandra Corkin is in the studio to give expert holiday advice. Paul Hatty explains the ins and outs of travel insurance, Rob Staines has some "holiday hacks", consumer champion Lady Janey on the benefits of all-inclusive holidays and best car hire practices with Guy Hobbs from Which?

Linda visits Positive Futures in Bangor to find out why 78 percent of adults with autism can’t find meaningful employment. Since Brexit most phone companies have reintroduced roaming and its now affecting lots of people in border areas of Northern Ireland. Anne Marie Murphy from the Consumer Council has more. We also help a listener facing a bill of hundreds of pounds for tolls on a car he sold 6 months ago and visit the brand new Banbridge Advice centre.

This week Linda talks to financial adviser Alice Gavin as interest rates for fixed rate mortgages hit 6 percent. Glynis Hobson tells Linda about co-ownership if you cant afford to buy a house on your own. With many pensioners facing retirement poverty is Equity Release a good idea? Simon Murray from the Law Society is also here to answer listeners questions on Wills and Power of Attorney. And after complaints about complaints in the public sector the ombudsman announces a shakeup of how public bodies act when things go wrong.

Universal Credit & Gas Prices

As hackers steal payroll data from companies across the UK, Linda asks Tony Neate from Get Safe Online how to protect yourself from scammers. Jimmy Hughes is back to answer consumer queries on everything from carpets to cars and even wonky mattresses! And Linda has afternoon tea in Lissane House, Cookstown as we celebrate Volunteering Week.

Energy prices are going up yet the wholesale costs are coming down. Energy regulator John French tells Linda why and what to expect over the next few months. A number of changes to benefits come in this month - Matt Cole from Advice NI explains how to get Disability Support Payments and how the rise in childcare payments works here. Might you be about to lose your Smartpass? A consultation has begun on raising the age to 65+. The Commissioner for Older People is deeply concerned and tells Linda why he see's it as a lifeline for older people. And everything you ever wanted to know about cremation but were afraid to ask as Linda visits Northern Ireland's newest facility which opens next week.

Linda talks about the government’s baby blind spot with Becca Harper from pressure group Melted Parents. Financial Adviser Alice Gavin talks about budgeting and mortgages. And as rents rise faster here than anywhere else in the UK, Stephen Morrison from Housing Rights outlines what help is available and what your rights are. We also hear from the poker player whose winnings got lost in the electronic ether!

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

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

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 South Africa 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? - South Africa Presenter: Linda McAuley Producers: Daniel Lynch & Rhiannon Mulligan Assistant Editor: Séamus Boyd

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

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 Sweden 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? - Sweden Presenter: Linda McAuley Producers: Daniel Lynch & Rhiannon Mulligan Assistant Editor: Séamus Boyd

Carer Allan Leonard on the challenges of accessing help and support

Travel expert Simon Calder shares travel tips ahead of the summer holiday season.

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.

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.

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.

Linda and guests discuss what the 2023 Budget means for people in Northern Ireland.