28 March 2008
People living in the most deprived areas of the country are 'acutely disadvantaged by the problems and frustrations of everyday life', according to research.
A study — Consumer futures — conducted by the National Consumer Council and published on March 25, highlights the struggles of people in deprived communities in dealing with a range of everyday situations. These included getting their requests for housing repairs acknowledged by social landlords, as well as ensuring the quality of work carried out.
Claire Whyley, the head of NCC's Consumer futures research programme, said: 'These people didn't have unrealistic expectations… All they wanted was to be — and to feel — fairly treated.'
The research found that it was much harder for people in deprived communities to resolve problems, often because they lacked the knowledge, confidence and experience to assert their rights.
It found that people living in these environments often worked long hours, and wasted time waiting for unreliable public transport and money on futile calls to call centres.
PFmar2008
