The Leader podcast: How to counter ‘skimpflation’ fuelling cost-of-living crisis

How can we stop getting ripped off? The Leader podcast joins Mrs Moneypenny
(Yui Mok/PA)
PA Wire
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Have you noticed chocolate bars getting smaller, bags of crisps pumped up with air to bulk them out - and then you get the corporate cold shoulder when you try to complain?

You’re a victim of skimpflation.

Economists class skimpflation as unlike regular inflation where you pay more for the same good and services, but instead you pay the same for something that’s worse quality or wait longer for it.

So that shirt that tears in the washing machine on the first wash, or those cancelled flights - how can we stop getting ripped off?

And as inflation roars to a 40-year high, the Institute of Customer Service says customer service complaints are at record levels - and it’s quality, reliability and availability of goods and services that top people’s list of annoyances.

But the supply chain still suffering Covid fallout, how can we get a better deal and how can we give our personal finances a tune-up to deal with the cost-of-living crisis?

The Leader’s joined by Professor Heather McGregor, executive dean of Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University, and formerly star of the Channel 4 show SuperScrimpers, under her nom de plume Mrs Moneypenny.

Hear Professor McGregor’s top tips for getting better value for money and how to reclaim your consumer rights.

Listen here or here:

You can also find us on your Spotify Daily Drive or wherever you stream your podcasts.

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