Condor Ferries are proposing a 19% hike in their freight costs next year. We’re worried that this increase could be a major blow for consumers, with retailers likely to be forced to pass on these costs to Islanders. Our Chairman, Carl Walker, predicts said: “Ultimately, any increase in freight costs will always filter down, so this increase in freight costs is likely to be a major blow for Islanders, with retailers likely to be forced to pass these costs on to consumers by raising their prices even more.” Condor are being asked to justify their price rises by the Government and the Jersey Consumer Council support this enquiry. We’ll keep a close eye on this situation and will continue to check retail prices. We continue to encourage Islanders to shop around to get the best prices and to vote with their feet if they feel that prices in certain stores are getting too high.

For the first time in many years, Jersey Post has announced that it will not be offering reduced-price Christmas stamps this festive season. Last year, numerous Islanders contacted us to express their disappointment about the fact that the deadline to use these stamps had been reduced to 25 November – including for Christmas mail to Jersey and the UK – with many saying that it was too early for them to take advantage of the scheme. However, rather than make the deadline later again, this year the stamps have been scrapped altogether. Jersey Post announced the decision earlier this week, and have included it in their Christmas posting guide, which is currently being delivered to all homes in the Island. They announced: “This year, Jersey Post is not offering reduced rate stamps. However, by keeping in mind the challenges of the cost of living for Islanders, there will be no increase to the 100g letter and large letter rates of local and UK postage in 2024.’ A number of consumers have contacted us about the decision, with one saying: “It’s very disappointing, the deadline to use these stamps has been getting earlier and earlier every year, and now they’ve been scrapped altogether. After all the problems we’ve had with our post this year, since the removal of the mail plane, it would have been a nice goodwill gesture for Islanders.” Another Islander told us: “I’m a pensioner, and stamps are really expensive since the latest rise earlier in the year. Post to the UK now takes weeks because the mail plane is gone. It’s ridiculous. I love sending Christmas cards, but with no reduced-price stamps it’s going to be expensive this year." Jersey Post has offered reduced-priced stamps in the lead-up to Christmas for a number of years. When the scheme first launched, it was available into the second week of December, though a couple of years ago the deadline was brought forward to 2 December, and last year Islanders were frustrated when it was reduced further, to 25 November. We contacted Jersey Post to pass on Islanders’ concerns and disappointment. Julie Thomas, Managing Director, Postal and Logistics told us: “We understand our customers will be disappointed with Jersey Post’s decision to discontinue discounted stamps in the run up to Christmas. “Along with the operational complexities of offering a specific stamp for a very limited period, Jersey Post felt that freezing the price of stamps for the first weight step for Local and UK mail for a whole year would provide longer lasting benefit for the widest group of customers, many of whom do not send Christmas cards at all. “We hope customers understand this decision and that they can enjoy using this year’s Jersey artist themed Christmas stamps which go on sale on 11 November.” You can see all of the information about Christmas postage, and Jersey Post’s recommended last posting dates, on their website. Jersey Post has also announced that it will be offering its Mail Retention service free of charge to Islanders affected by Storm Ciarán who are currently unable to receive mail at home. Any Islanders wishing use the service should email retentionofmail@jerseypost.com

Jersey Water has announced that their bills will be rising from the start of next year. From 1 January 2024, water bills for average Jersey households will increase by 12 pence per day – representing an extra £44.91 a year for average domestic customers. It follows the news, in June, that Jersey Electricity will be increasing their prices by 12 per cent from the start of the new year. Jersey Water says that the change in tariff for next year is in line with inflation and follows their policy of limiting increases in water charges, wherever possible, to at or below the cost of living. Helier Smith, Jersey Water’s Chief Executive, said that 2024’s tariff increase is ‘proportionate and necessary to address these rising operational costs, while also ensuring that the company can maintain vital investment in the Island’s water supply infrastructure’. He said: “We remain mindful that many Islanders are also experiencing pressure on their own cost of living, so we have done all we can to offset the increases in our operational costs and limit what is passed onto our customers. "At the same time, we need to maintain our water charges at appropriate levels to ensure Jersey Water can continue to deliver the high-quality water supply and service levels that customers expect, whilst maintaining investment in the Island’s water resources, network, treatment facilities and other infrastructure to ensure a sustainable water supply for current and future generations.” Jersey Water has committed to making no further price increases for the rest of 2024. Any customers who are facing financial hardship and are struggling to pay their water bills are encouraged to contact Jersey Water’s Customer Services team, who are on hand to provide advice and guidance. Any Islanders who wish to reduce their water consumption to help manage their bills can find more information and free water-saving devices on Jersey Water’s website, where you can also download the GetWaterFit app, an online tool for finding out how you use and can save water at home.

Over the summer, we carried out a review of GP fees. We were prompted to do this as many of you had got in touch about a sudden increase in costs for seeing a doctor – more than £10 in some instances – just before the Government announced their £20 subsidy for standard appointments and free appointments for children. We've published our findings in our latest newsletter, which is currently being distributed to all homes in Jersey, or can be read online here: Newsletters (consumercouncil.je) As you'll see from our price table, the price range between the cheapest surgery and the most expensive is still significant – nearly £20 in some instances. Furthermore, and perhaps more worryingly, is that not all surgeries seem to have passed on the £20 saving they have been contracted to do. We'll be keeping a regular eye on the cost of healthcare prices and letting you know of our findings. Find out more in our latest newsletter: Newsletters (consumercouncil.je)

If you’re looking for an excuse to have a mid-week pizza then look no further – today (Wednesday, 20 September) is Pepperoni Pizza Day! The day is a celebration of what is apparently regularly voted the world’s most popular pizza topping. Like many groceries, oven pizzas can vary in price considerably across our supermarkets in Jersey, it’s hard to know where to go for the best deal. And, similarly, takeaway prices can also vary substantially. So, to mark Pepperoni Pizza Day, we thought we’d compare the prices of both frozen and takeaway peperoni pizzas across the Island, to help you shop around for the best prices. Keep reading to see the Island's cheapest, and most expensive, pepperoni pizzas.    Did you know? Legend has it that Raffaele Esposito created the first pizza in June 1889. The Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, inspired the pizza maker so much that he created the pie-shaped delicacy and, in the queen’s honor, he named it Pizza Margherita. He topped the pizza with tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella to represent the colours of the Italian flag. Pizza has evolved – and grown considerably in popularity – since then, and there’s now endless possibilities of toppings and flavour combinations available. However, pepperoni remains the most popular, regularly topping polls. Pepperoni takes its name from ‘peperoni’ – with one ‘p’ – an Italian name for a pepper. In Italy, pepperoni is known as ‘salame piccante’ or spicy salami. Pepperoni is a dried sausage made of a mixture of pork, beef, and spices, often including peppers. The name ‘pepperoni’ began being used following the First World War, primarily in Italian-American communities, initially.   Frozen supermarket peperoni pizzas – from the most expensive to the cheapest (All prices correct as of Wednesday, 20 September, and show the cheapest frozen peperoni pizza available in store. Please note, prices may vary in other branches of the same stores). Marks and Spencer (King Street) – £4.25 Alliance (St Helier) – £2.75 Morrisons (Five Oaks) – £2.57 Waitrose (Rue des Pres) – £2.30 Iceland (Grouville) – £1.99 Co-op (Locale Pontac) – £1.95   Takeaway peperoni pizzas – from the most expensive to the cheapest (All prices correct as of Tuesday, 19 September, and show the price for a 12” pizza, unless stated otherwise. Please note, the majority of these can be ordered on food.je, but Pizza Express and Domino’s must be ordered from them directly.) Domino’s (11.5”): £20.99 (however, lots of deals available to add to bring the price down) Pizza Express (thin base): £16.40 Alvin's Hot Stuff Pizza: £15.99 Franky's: £15.95 Cafe790 at Strive (no size specified): £15.95 West Side Pizza: £15.60 Pizzeria Famosa (no size specified): £15 Pizza Express (thick base): £14.45 The Portelet Inn: £14.25 Casa Mia (no size specified): £13.95 Fresh Crust Pizza: £13.90 Robin Hood (deep pan): £13.90 Pope’s Pasta (no size specified): £13.60 Pizza Lovers: £13.20 Vasco da Gama: £13 Bolero Bistro: £13 Pizza Quarter: £12.75 Robin Hood (thin base): £12.70 The Watersplash: £12.50 Max Grill: £12.50 Bonetti's at The Merton (no size specified): £12 Caffé Ristorante Italia (no size specified): £11.95 The Langtry: £11.95 Turkish Delight: £11.90 Alfonso's Pizzeria & Coffee Shop: £10

As we head towards autumn, Which? magazine have given some great ways to save money on your laundry. Here are our top tips, taken from their article:   Reduce your washing temperature Wash at a temperature of 20°C or 30°C to save money. Which? Say that if you wash at 30°C, it could save you £25 a year, or at 20°C the saving is £40 a year. Tips Switch to a liquid laundry detergent to help shift stains. Which? found that tough stains lift more easily with liquid at lower temperatures. Pre-treat tough stains with diluted detergent or stain remover before the wash.   Fill your machine Rather than putting several smaller washes on quick programs, try less washes on longer programs, but fill the drum. Which? found that by doing bigger washes four times a week it used 17% less energy than three smaller washes on quick programs. By doing this you’re also using less washing detergent, so it’s a saving on both.   Maintain your tumble dryer Which? tested a range of heat pump dryers with over 20 loads of washing. They were shocked to find out that some machines used 50% more energy on the last load compared to the first load. This is because of the filter being blocked. Tips Wait until your machine is cooled. Find your lower filter at the bottom of the dryer. Once unlocked, remove larger fluff and hair from the heat exchanger. Rinse the filter if it’s removeable. Dry thoroughly before putting back.