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Consumers in the North West
pay pennies for fish fingers so they can splash out on teabags
FROM Tetley teabags to Heinz Baked
Beans, new research reveals the items consumers in the North West cannot live
without and the things they are willing to compromise on to be able to afford
those must haves.
The study from TopCashback.co.uk, the UK's most generous cashback shopping site,
finds the majority (74%) of people look to pay less for certain grocery items
such as fish fingers and biscuits, with the primary motivation being to save
money (59%). Consumers also look to cut costs because they do not think certain
items are worth paying more for (48%) and because they believe the quality is
not different between price points (45%).
Alongside money saving efforts, 66% of consumers in the North West are motivated
to search for the cheapest price for items such as frozen foods, so they can
spend more on other products, like organic fruit and vegetables.
In order to bring down costs, 84% of people opt for supermarket own and cheaper
alternatives to the leading brands, and 66% always buy what is on offer or what
they can use a voucher code for 47%. 20% even plan their shopping trips around
the days and times they know items will be cheaper, ie. late at night or on a
Sunday afternoon.
Scrimp or splurge?
For 54% of consumers in the North West, there are particular grocery items they
would buy whatever the price rather than go without. When it comes to what
residents refuse to compromise on, meat and fish (72%) top the table, along with
tea and coffee (69%). Toiletries such as toothpaste are also high on the list
with 60% of people saying they pay a greater price for a particular brand and
57% pay more for shampoo and conditioner. 48% of people would always splash the
cash on fresh fruit and vegetables.
Conversely, quick and convenient foods are picked up from the bargain bin as the
majority (76%) of people aim to spend less on frozen foods. A further 74% buy
the cheapest snacks and 73% do not mind buying cheap cooking kits and sauces.
72% tighten their belts when buying cleaning products for the home and shower
gel (67%).
For 63% of residents in the North West, quality and taste are the determining
factors when deciding which products are worth a higher amount. Brand loyalty is
also an important influence with 50% of consumers paying more simply because
they like a certain brand.
Natasha Rachel Smith, Consumer Affairs Editor for the website, said:-
"We all have our little luxuries we can't live without. However, shoppers
need to get into the habit of not paying full price for branded goods.
Supermarkets often switch between hiking up the price of popular brands;
knowing consumers will pay the price; and offering discounts. This means the
price is never set in stone and with a bit of forward planning and savvy
bulk buying, grocery bills can be kept down.
Whether it's a splurge purchase or an everyday essential, shoppers should look
around for the lowest priced retailer and make the most of discount codes,
vouchers and cashback deals to get the best price possible."
Branded items residents in the North West cannot live without… even on holiday
Although consumers are happy to pinch the pounds on some grocery items, there
are a few they cannot and will not live without. 39% of people in the North West
even admit to taking their favourite branded items away with them on holiday or
for an overnight stay because they refuse to go without or use an alternative.
The most common branded items people could not live without across the UK
include:- Heinz Ketchup, Heinz Baked Beans, PG Tips, Yorkshire Tea and Hellman's
Mayonnaise. Other interesting items included Branston Pickle, Irn-Bru and Whole
Earth Peanut Butter. |
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GPs need better training to
help children affected by domestic violence
ALTHOUGH doctors and nurses are
becoming more aware of patients experiencing domestic violence, the needs of
children are often ignored, according to new research published today that
reveals a lack of training about how to identify and support children exposed to
domestic violence.
Experts from the universities of Bristol and Central Lancashire say better
training, coupled with improved information sharing between agencies, could
greatly improve outcomes for these children.
About 1 in 5 children in the UK are exposed to domestic violence, according to
the NSPCC. Although there is considerable research based evidence associating
domestic violence with poor physical health, mental health, behavioural and
educational outcomes for exposed children, GPs and nurses are not confident
about how to respond to the needs of these children, the authors say.
Writing in the journal Health and Social Care in the Community today, they
highlight a lack of cohesion and coordination in the approach to domestic
violence and child safeguarding. Their study draws attention to general practice
clinicians' insufficient understanding of multi agency work, a limited
competence in gauging thresholds for child protection referral to children's
services and little understanding of outcomes for children. While prioritising
children's safety, GP clinicians are more inclined to engage directly with
abusive parents than with affected children.
Lead author Dr Eszter Szilassy, from the University of Bristol's Centre for
Academic Primary Care, in the School of Social and Community Medicine said:-
"Our research found that, while GPs are fully aware of their child
safeguarding responsibilities, they are uncertain about best practice at the
interface between child safeguarding and domestic violence. The lack of relevant
training contributes to failures to translate child safeguarding knowledge into
safe and effective domestic violence related practice strategies."
The paper highlights that "the poor engagement of general practice
clinicians with domestic violence training and the lack of relevant training
content within child safeguarding training, is currently a major gap for general
practice, leading to uncertainty and resulting in missed opportunities to
support victims and their children".
The authors describe the development of an evidence based training intervention
on domestic violence and child safeguarding for general practice teams, called:-
RESPONDS (Researching Education to Strengthen Primary care ON Domestic violence
and Safeguarding). This training was developed to encourage general practice
clinicians to overcome barriers and engage more extensively with adults
experiencing abuse, as well as responding directly to the needs of children.
The mixed method paper reports key research findings and their implications for
practice and policy. If adopted, the authors' recommendations could lead to
greater support for children via more relevant training and support for the GPs
and nurses assigned to them.
Nicky Stanley, Professor of Social Work at the University of Central Lancashire,
noted:- "The research found that GPs were more ready to engage with
victims and perpetrators of domestic violence than to talk directly to children
or young people about this issue. They need to improve their confidence and
skills in relation to this, since children are also their patients."
Dr Szilassy and colleagues argue that clinicians need more focused training to
equip them with the skills and confidence to respond safely and effectively to
adult victims and perpetrators, and vitally, in talking directly with children
experiencing domestic violence. They recommend that such training is reinforced
by supportive practice environments, improved systems of interagency
collaboration, appropriate and effective documenting and improved
information sharing systems and policies.
The authors hope that the development and piloting of their evidence based
training will be a crucial first step towards strengthening the response to all
family members experiencing or perpetrating domestic violence and their
children.
The paper:- 'Making the links between domestic violence and child safeguarding'
An evidencebased pilot training for general practice. Health and Social Care in
the Community, by Eszter Szilassy et al is available at
online.
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