15/12/2010

Available for over a year

The latest EU diktat suggests restricting the sale of Christmas Crackers to over 16's. The EU directive only called for restrictions on sales to under 12's but when drafting that into UK law the officials decided an age of 16 would lead to less confusion all round. We look at how this came to pass, what the law in the UK was before the EU got involved, and ask if any retailer has ever actually been prosecuted on this one. Age UK wants new, stronger regulations to protect residents of retirement housing from financial exploitation. The charity has been investigating complaints by older leaseholders about the cost of transfer fees when properties are sold, unpredictable service charges and the lack of transparency about maintenance contracts. In "Putting Retirement Housing in order" they say thousands of people are now living in fear of rising costs. Many say the worry is making them ill and spoiling their retirement. More than 386 vulnerable people died in Somerset last winter from causes directly attributable to the cold and poor living conditions - far more than the norm and the tip of an "at risk" iceberg. The vast majority affected are over 75 years old. In the innovative Surviving Winter appeal, the Foundation is emulating the Coalition's Big Society and calling on all who can afford it to forego their Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) and donate the money to those for whom it is not nearly enough. Many pledges have already been received before the campaign has been launched. Whiskey - with or without an 'e' - is a traditional tipple at this time of year. And, traditionally it has made - or has been for the last hundred years or so- in Scotland. But this Christmas, the St George's distillery in Norfolk - which makes the only English Whisky on the market - will be marking their first year in business. Our mobile phone panel will be in the studio taking a look at why Vodafone will stopping levying roaming charges within the EU and ask will other providers follow suit? They also look at new products available and see how they compare with what's already on the market? And marketing strategies for mobile contracts - why do they tie in with cultural events like cinema or gig tickets?