The Government has created a new campaign group which could actually make things easier for many of us.

A new body called Consumer Focus has been created and will campaign on behalf of us, while the existing Consumer Direct service will be your first point of contact.

Consumer Focus has been created through the merger of the National Consumer Council, Energywatch and Postwatch.

The change is part of the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act, which was approved in 2007.  The reforms, are due to come into effect on 1 October, also include the creation of an ombudsman scheme.

The new ombudsman will rule on complaints about energy services and postal services that have not been resolved by the relevant companies involved within eight weeks.

Consumer Direct is an existing, government-funded telephone and online service, which will now also take responsibility for giving you advice on energy and postal issues.

Consumer Focus will have greater powers than the bodies it will replace, including the ability to investigate complaints lodged by the public and it will receive funding of £15 million a year, according to consumer affairs minister Gareth Thomas.