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 26: 12th May - in this episode:
Volatile markets: Stock markets, oil prices, government borrowing costs have all been extremely volatile as a result of the Iran war and the UK election results.
The moves are not all in the same direction with oil prices much lower than at the beginning of the Gulf war but $30 higher than in February.
Food prices: Global food prices have risen for the third month running.
Vegetable oil prices have increased most with cereals and meat close behind. Customers are buying less and research showed 80% are worried about the rising price of groceries.
Tax bills: Income tax bills are set to almost double in the 10 years to 2031.
We need to check we are not paying too much. There are lots of mistakes with tax codes.
House prices: House prices increased by 3% in the year to April according to the Nationwide Building Society.
The Bank of England has warned that interest rates could increase six times in the next year.
Pension tax: Pension pots will be subject to inheritance tax from April next year.
People who have a substantial amount of money in a defined contribution pension need to find out how it will affect them.
The amount of inheritance tax could increase by hundreds of thousands of pounds for many.
High Street crisis: Shopper numbers were 10.7% lower in April than a year earlier.
This was the worst decline since the beginning of the Covid pandemic.
Claire’s Accessories has shut 154 stores and TG Jones, which bought the WH Smith high street stores is closing more than 100 of the stores.
Flight cancellations: Two million airline seats have been cancelled in Europe in May. This is in response to higher fuel prices and jet fuel shortages. Most often replacement flights will be provided. Customers need to monitor their bookings.
Episode 25: 5th May - in this episode:
Inflation
- Already risen to 3.3%
- Food prices already up and could take up to 13 months for all increases to arrive on supermarket shelves
- Supermarket own brands now account for more than 50% of our shopping
Electric car sales
- Average electric cars now cheaper than petrol models
- £3,750 electric car grants are available
- Battery electric cars were 22% of vehicle sales in the first three months of 2026.
Car finance compensation
- Around 12m people will be due compensation this summer
- They will get an average of £829 for each car finance deal they were mis-sold
- There is no need to use a claims management company or solicitor
Ombudsmen
- Pets insurance is attracting complaints for not paying out
- The Financial Ombudsman Service helped 2,286 pet owners
- The Ombudsman Association can help you find one of the many free ombudsmen that help with problems involving lawyers, new homes, cars, local government and many more.
Shoplifting
- Shoplifting has more than doubled in five years
- Changes to retail theft laws should help businesses
- Currently thefts of under £200 are not treated as serious
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.
