The Weekly Consumer Report Podcast
Welcome to Parfitt Cresswell’s Weekly Consumer Report brought to you by broadcast journalist Glen Thompsett and award-winning journalist, author, podcaster, and broadcaster, Lindsay Cook.
Each week, we break down the stories that matter most to your money, your rights, and your everyday life - helping you make smarter decisions in a fast-changing world. Every episode is packed with clear explanations, actionable tips, and the latest news - so you can feel confident and in control.
Tune in to our latest episode and join the conversation!
Episode 36: 22nd July - in this episode:
New government
It has been all change in the government with a new prime minister and cabinet. The first big announcement was that VAT will not be charged on domestic electricity from October. This coincides with the expected increase the energy price cap.
Strait of Hormuz
The price of oil has increased to a one month high of $91.30 as the ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz has collapsed. Petrol prices are increasing here and in the US. Meanwhile there is a squeeze on the supply of diesel.
Mortgages
More than a dozen mortgage lenders have increased the fixed rate charges as traders expect the Bank of England to increase rates in the coming months.
Buy Now Pay Later
New rules were implemented last week to give protection to people who use these instalment payment schemes to pay for goods. Customers will be able to get refunds more easily and will have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Digital tax payments
More than 400,000 small businesses have two weeks to register for the HMRC Making Tax Digital Scheme. Those sole traders and landlords with a turnover of more than £50,000 should register online.
Hand baggage
European Union lawmakers have agreed to ban airlines from charging for basic hand baggage up 7 kg.
Leasehold properties
A survey has found that almost all leaseholders regret buying their homes. Propertymark found that 90 per cent of the 1,200 it surveyed said they regretted buying their home. Some 93 per cent said they would not buy a leasehold home again. Those who said they might buy leasehold again, said they would only do so if there was no alternative. Leasehold homes have been plagued with a number of issues in recent years, from unsafe cladding to increasing service charge and insurance costs. It means leaseholders now find their properties difficult to sell, especially in areas where the market for flats is limited.
State pensions
The retirement age is set to rise to 68, seven years earlier than expected as early as 2037.
Episode 35: 14th July - in this episode:
Petrol prices
Petrol prices are on the move. There can be a difference of 11p a litre between forecourts a couple of miles apart. It makes it more important to check prices before you fill up. Drivers are missing out on savings because many are not using fuel price comparison tools, according to the RAC. Drivers should make greater use of the government's Fuel Finder service and other comparison apps "to save money".
Brent crude prices topped $86 a barrel this week as the US launched a fresh wave of strikes in response to Iranian forces hitting a ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Scam refunds
UK banks have returned hundreds of millions of pounds to scam victims under a reimbursement system run by the Payment Systems Regulator.
According to its annual report £243 million was refunded to victims of Authorised Push Payment where bank customers are tricked to make payments. A total of £576m was paid across all fraud types.
Banks must refund victims up to a maximum cap of £85,000 per claim, which covers more than 99% of all fraud cases, unless the customer has been significantly careless. Banks have up to five working days to refund in most cases. The sending back and receiving bank each pay 50% of the compensation.
Sophisticated investors also fall foul of fraudsters. Nick Candy, a property developer as the victim of a company that artificially inflate its share price.
Mortgages
The mortgage payments of just over five million homeowners will increase by the end of 2028, according to the Bank of England. However, the Bank's Financial Stability Report said the hit would not be as hard as seen in recent years. A typical owner-occupier rolling off a fixed rate in the next two years is likely to face an increase of £45 on their monthly mortgage bill, the Bank calculated. That compares to a typical rise of £120 for those getting a new deal between the end of 2022 and end of 2024.
Cheque deposits
Lloyds Bank is in talks with the Post Office to reintroduce a cheque deposit service for bank customers after a campaign by customers and MPs. Lloyds Banking Group said although cheque usage was in decline it "recognised some customers want greater choice."
Broadband fine
Virgin Media has been fined £28m by Ofcom for repeatedly preventing customers from cancelling contracts . It said the company deliberately hung up on calls, and put customers on hold "for no reason".
It said millions of calls from customers were likely to have been mishandled over a three-year period which prevented customers from moving to another broadband, landline or pay-tv company.
Anyone switching now shouldn't face the same hassle. Ofcom's One Touch Switch service, launched in 2024, means you only have to contact your new provider, not negotiate with the old one.
Probate increase
Grieving families face a 75 per cent increase in probate fees after the Ministry of Justice increased the price of administering an estate from £300 to £526 earlier this month. Probate documents grant the authority for someone to deal with a person’s estate after they die. Families must pay a probate fee if the estate is worth more than £5,000.
Heatwave help
EDF, the energy company is sending out 'heatwave relief packs' to help vulnerable customers manage during heatwaves.
Up to 10,000 eligible households will receive the packs from EDF, which are worth up to £100. They include items such as a neck or handheld fan, a desk or pedestal fan, thermal blackout curtains, reflective window film, reusable hydration bottles and cooling towels.
Meet Your Hosts
The show is hosted by Glen Thompsett, an experienced broadcast journalist, and an award-winning journalist, author, podcaster, and broadcaster Lindsay Cook, whose expertise is widely recognised; she’s a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4 and other outlets and has written extensively for the Financial Times. Together, Glen and Lindsay bring decades of expertise, a passion for consumer advocacy, and a knack for making complex topics easy to understand.
Legal Chat with Parfitt Cresswell
Hear from our legal experts as they discuss various legal topics in Legal Chat with Parfitt Cresswell. Answering the commonly asked questions we receive on a regular basis, Legal Chat removes all of the legal jargon and makes the complex world of law that little bit easier to understand.
