Dear Listener

What a tremendous response we had on Wednesday to Money Box Live on shopper’s rights. Everything from buying the wrong size underpants to a computer which arrived damaged. You can hear the programme – and all our programmes for the last 30 days – on the podcast page www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/moneybox. Actually to be strictly honest I don’t think the wrong-sized underpants made it to air.  They were for a son in Australia who had put on weight unknown to his Mum. But lots of useful – and at times amusing – information.

For the rest of this week I have been obsessing about VAT and inflation – the latter has concerned me for nearly two years now. And those of you who subscribe to my tweets www.twitter.com/paullewismoney will already know that. But as those are two of the main topics on Saturday’s programme let’s get on with what’s…

***…IN MONEY BOX THIS WEEK***

Inflation. We had a fascinating account from a listener of a supermarket online shopping order which cost £97 in 2004 and would cost £210 today. We investigate whether such prices rises could be true. And incidentally if you have an online shopping order from at least five years ago and would be happy for us to cost it at today’s prices please let us know moneybox@bbc.co.uk. And we will be looking at the hidden price pressures which could see inflation rising strongly in future.

The new VAT rate of course is one thing that will affect inflation – not least as some retailers take the opportunity to push prices up by more than the 2.1% increase in the price of VATable goods that the VAT rise should mean. We show how you can lead a life (almost) free of VAT by judicious shopping and find why the eyes have it when it comes to tax on gingerbread men. And look back to that magical date in 1973 when VAT began.

Phantom crashes. Or rather real crashes where the wrong vehicle is accused of involvement. And the nightmare of proving you – and your car – were not there at the time.

We talk to the Reverend who has been told his company pension was overpaid by £40,000 – the pension fund wants it back.

And the first test of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme’s new promise to aim to pay depositors in failed banks and so on within seven calendar days and within a maximum of 20 working days. The Havant Area Savers Credit Union has closed down. The clock does not start on those time promises until it is declared in default, which has not happened yet.

All that – and possibly less – will be squeezed into our 24 minutes, live on Saturday at 1204. No repeat this week but you can listen any time via the podcast page mentioned earlier and check out our website www.bbc.co.uk/moneybox. There you can also read web pieces, download transcripts, follow links, send us stories or ideas you want us to look into and Have Your Say on phantom crashes.

This newsletter is available at www.bbc.co.uk/moneybox/newsletter (tell your friends who don’t subscribe) and, as I mentioned, you can keep up with my random but timely thoughts on money 24 hours a day at www.twitter.com/paullewismoney.

Best wishes,

Paul

PS don’t forget the programme trail on Breakfast on BBC 1 between 0845 and 0900 on Saturday.

e-mail Paul Lewis