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25/05/2013

Selection of BBC World Service Programmes BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.

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Listen now 53 mins

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Energy Ombudsman

Duration:
53 minutes
First broadcast:
Monday 31 October 2011

Complaints about energy firms have soared by 81% on last year and the Energy Ombudsman had to deal with 623 of them in September alone. During the previous September there were 349 complaints. Julian Worricker asks the Ombudsman, Rev Lewis Shand Smith, about the extent of his powers, the level of public recognition, and how well his service is coping with the increased workload.

Ever felt like replying to spam emails, just to waste the spammers' time? That's exactly what author Neil Forsyth does in the guise of Bob Servant, self proclaimed Hero of Dundee and former cheeseburger magnate. Neil tells us about his new book 'Why Me? The Very Important Emails of Bob Servant.'

The Government is planning a review of the MOT test. Should vehicles be examined every two years instead of annually?

We talk to campaigners who claim that a shortage of suitable housing for young people with disabilities means many can't live independently.

Earlier in the week we heard a claim that washing at lower temperatures might not kill some fairly unpleasant bugs. Following that item You and Yours listeners have emailed us to say there's not much in their laundry baskets with a hot wash label! We find out why, seemingly, more and more garments and bedding items are carrying a 40C or 50C care label.

Presenter: Julian Worricker
Producer: Sarah Swadling.

Chapters

8 items

  • Qantas Flies Again

    The Australian airline has resumed flights following industrial action, but disruption for passengers continues.

  • New MOT

    The Government is about to review the MOT test for vehicles. One suggestion is to make it every two years instead of an annual check.

  • Npower Fined £2m over complaints

    Energy regulator Ofgem has fined Npower for failing to handle complaints properly. We talk to Chief Ombudsman for Energy, Lewis Shand Smith.

  • Clothes labelling

    Why do so many clothes now carry a wash at 40 degrees label? Are garments less robust than in the past?

  • Undercover housing investigation

    The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's investigating a shortage of accessible housing for young people.

  • Bob Servant

    Author Neil Forsyth on his alter ego Bob Servant's latest skirmishes with the email spammers.

  • Southern Cross

    HC One is a new company taking over a third of the residential homes run by Southern Cross. Who are they and what's their plan?

  • Adult Social Care

    How much would you pay for help with things like washing, dressing, if you were too old or disabled to care for yourself? We discuss the issues ahead of tomorrow's programme.

Broadcasts

Free download

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    A Week of You and Yours

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