CONSUMERS have said they want the right to choose how they receive communications from companies.

Research carried out by a campaign group revealed that 81 per cent say they should decide if these will be paper, or online, documents.

Keep Me Posted is a partnership of leading charities, consumer organisations, trade unions and businesses.

It believes that every consumer has the right to choose, without disadvantage, how they are contacted by banks, utility companies and other service providers.

Oliver Mundell has thrown his support behind Keep Me Posted after meeting the campaign’s chairwoman, Judith Donovan CBE, at Scottish Parliament this week.

Upper Nithsdale's MSP praised the campaign’s efforts to ensure that service providers offer consumers the choice of how they receive bills and statements.

He said: "Those who have the greatest need for paper statements and bills are not limited to the older generation, but include people with disabilities, and those that lack access to the internet or basic digital skills.

"There are currently 256,000 people living in South West Scotland who don’t have access to the internet. These people run the risk of being financially penalised or losing track of their budget.

"Consumers deserve the right to choose how they receive communications from businesses so I fully support the Keep Me Posted campaign in its fight to make sure companies honour this."

Campaigners claim that almost 41 per cent of consumers worry that they might miss a payment without a reminder through the post.

Ms Donovan said: “Since the launch of Keep Me Posted four years ago, 98 organisations have pledged their support in ensuring that consumers retain the right to receive paper statements without penalties.

"We want this to be the year that consumers’ rights are honoured by companies. We really appreciate the support of Oliver Mundell which takes us one step closer to making sure that the people of Upper Nithsdale keep their right to choose.”