Main content

Nuisance calls, Child fares, School uniforms

Consumer news and issues. The teenagers who say they should only pay full price at 18 - and the cost of school uniforms.

The Government promised to crack down on cold-calling by lowering the bar for what constitutes a 'nuisance' and banning companies from using withheld numbers. So have things got any better? Figures show that of 22 companies fined by the Information Commissioner since April 2015, only four had paid up. They say they are being frustrated by companies that go into liquidation to avoid the fine then reappear under a different guise. Consumer groups want the rules tightening so that individual company directors to be held responsible.

When does adulthood truly begin? At 18 we can vote, drink alcohol and buy a house. But in the eyes of some companies and attractions it starts much earlier than that. Some theme parks start charging full-price tickets from the age of 12. Now a pair of teenagers are campaigning to change that.

And when schools become academies or a new headteacher takes over they often change their uniform - and the Local Government Association say that's costing parents too much. They've unearthed examples of one academy charging Β£120 for a blazer and another demanding a specific navy science lab-coat. They're calling for a "common sense" approach with schools permitting sew on badges , plain sports kit, and the use of a range of suppliers to give parents best value. What are you spending on school uniforms this year?

Presenter: Melanie Abbott
Producer: Simon Hoban.

Available now

45 minutes

Chapters

  • Nuisance Calls

    Why aren't companies fined for cold-calling paying up?

    Duration: 06:45

  • Childfare

    A campaign to make 18 the age you pay for full adult pricing across the board

    Duration: 08:25

  • Consumer Show

    Rory Cellan-Jones reports from a consumer show in Berlin

    Duration: 04:09

  • Crushed Goods

    Dangerous electrical items are to be destroyed following a raid by Trading Standards

    Duration: 06:43

  • Post Office Broadband

    Customers say the Post Office can't deliver first-class broadband

    Duration: 04:52

  • School Uniforms

    Parents are splashing out on new uniforms this month

    Duration: 06:54

Broadcast

  • Fri 2 Sep 2016 12:15

Health

Health

A selection of the best health advice and discussions from You & Yours.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle

From hanging wallpaper to takeaway apps, some of our favourite features about lifestyle.