OFT helps to ‘Save Xmas’

A scheme aimed at advising people on their Christmas saving options launched earlier this year is to be continued.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has announced new funding for the “Save Xmas” campaign, through which community groups and consumer bodies explain directly to people in their areas what their options are for saving safely and wisely over the year.

The scheme was in July in the wake of the collapse of the Farepak Christmas hamper savings scheme late last year, which saw many people lose all the money that they had put away over the year for Christmas presents when the company went bust.

Save Xmas helps savers to identify the most suitable schemes for them, and the OFT has produced a leaflet, a short film and background research to support the local training sessions.

Sue Cook, OFT head of consumer and business education, said: “We are delighted to be able to provide additional funding to our partners at grass roots level. Citizens Advice’s involvement has been fundamental in delivering the Save Xmas campaign to local communities.

“We would urge groups and organisations who are interested in delivering Save Xmas training and helping people make choices that best suit their needs when saving for Christmas training to contact us promptly.”

Tags: suit, Hamper, Christmas saving options, advice, head, local training, best suit, Consumer Focus