Prime Minister Special - Cost of Living

Available for over a year

Number 10 offered us an interview with the Prime Minister. The discussion centred on the cost-of-living crisis that dominated headlines after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Energy bills doubled, food and transport costs soared, and the poorest households were hit hardest. But many families on average incomes also struggled. We asked your questions on the cost of living crisis. New rules to stop retailers from trapping customers in hard-to-cancel subscriptions have been delayed until at least next autumn after industry push back. That means shoppers remain vulnerable to costly subscription schemes. One company listeners often mention is Fabletics, which sells sportswear. For nearly a decade, customers say they’ve been misled into £50-a-month “VIP” memberships for store credit. We hear from one woman who spent £5000 on two pairs of leggings and a membership she didn't know existed.... Despite the cost of living squeeze, forecasters predict that the UK jewellery market will have grown by 3.6% in value this year. So shoppers will have spent pretty much the same as they did last year when you take inflation into account. If you look at volumes - the amount of jewellery we're buying - it shrank in the pandemic and has struggled to recover. The exception is lab-grown diamonds. The market researchers, Mintel, says sales of lab-grown diamonds are propping up the market right now. They are particularly popular with men buying jewellery as gifts and they look great on social media. We hear from one of Europe/s largest online jewelers how lab grown gem stones saved their company... The long-promised ban on no-fault eviction takes effect from the beginning of May. Landlords have until 2030 to make homes more energy efficient. Neither Labour nor the Conservatives is keen to encourage more small-scale private landlords into the market. Tax relief on mortgage interest payments was withdrawn in 2020. The organisation that represent private landlords, the National Residential Landlords Association, has been warning for years that private landlords will leave the market. We hear how both landlords and tenants are starting to be impacted. Presenter: Winifred Robinson Producer: Jay Unger