“I’m busy is the new I’m fine” – consumers in Edinburgh given help to prioritise, with two months to go to the PPI deadline
- 70% people in Edinburgh are likely to reference how busy they are when asked ‘How are you?’
- FCA teams up with productivity expert, Clare Evans to help people take a step back and tackle their task lists – such as claiming for PPI
- FCA releases latest figures on PPI
With two months to go to the PPI deadline (29th August 2019), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is releasing new research and tips to help urge consumers to make a decision and prioritise action, so they can meet deadlines and free themselves from being ‘too busy’.
The research reveals that ‘so busy’ is the new ‘I’m fine’ – as the state of ‘busyness’ becomes the new norm for most, yet threatens to hinder our ability to get the most important day-to-day jobs done.
70% of people in Edinburgh are likely to reference how busy they are when asked ‘How are you?, and 64% don’t feel in control of their day-to-day list of tasks. 85% of people from Edinburgh plan tasks for the weekend but only 2% always get these tasks done, with 92% saying their to do list prompts negative feelings such as frustration, stress, regret, guilt or being overwhelmed. The research also reveals 68% haven’t mastered management skills – e.g. knowing they could improve on them, that they take longer to do things than anticipated, they rarely meet deadlines, or they waste time before starting a task.
The campaign comes as FCA figures show the regulator has had more than 3.9 million users access the PPI website and 44,000 calls to their dedicated contact centre. On top of that, a total of £334.3m was paid in April 2019 to customers who complained about the way they were sold PPI. This takes the amount paid since January 2011 to £35.3bn.
To emphasise how pressing the deadline is, the FCA has brought back the animatronic head of Arnold Schwarzenegger for the final time in a campaign that will run nationwide across the summer. These latest ads feature Arnie in a hydraulic press, urging people to take action on PPI before it’s too late. As the deadline approaches, the series of advertisements will gradually reveal Arnie’s fate.
Emma Stranack, FCA’s PPI Deadline Campaign Lead, said: “With just two months to go, time is running out to claim back money for PPI. Simply put, if you haven’t complained to your provider by 29 August 2019, you won’t be able to claim money back for PPI – so you should make your decision as soon as possible.
“Checking if you had PPI is simple and free. Don’t worry about paperwork, you only need your date of birth and relevant previous addresses. Search FCA PPI or call 0800 101 88 00 to find out how.”
Consumers who haven’t complained to their provider by 29 August 2019 won’t be able to claim money back for PPI. FCA support is available online at fca.org.uk/ppior by calling the FCA helpline on 0800 101 8800.