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19/05/2011

Consumer news with Winifred Robinson. A key report on the future of the railways; we'll have details. The government promises more allotments and the typewriters helping the blind.

Consumer news with Winifred Robinson. Sir Roy McNulty's long awaited report into the future funding and organisation of the railways is released. It is expected to recommend a shake up of the fares structure and a move from central to local decision making.

The government say they want to see more allotments where there is demand and believe the new Localism Bill will help reverse a decline that has seen around a five thousand plots being lost every year since 1996.

Typewriters may be a redundant technology but in the developing world they are still helping blind children to get on at school.

One of the big names in electrical retail on the UK high street faces an uncertain future after its parent company signals that it is for sale.

The second in a four part series looking at the battle to run the West Coast Main Line - we look at the two British companies hoping to clinch the right to run it between 2013 and 2027.

Available now

53 minutes

Last on

Thu 19 May 2011 12:00

Chapters

  • Rail Report

    Sir Roy McNulty's rail report recommends big changes to organisation and fare structures in a bid to reduce the burden on the taxpayer and bring costs in line with comparable European networks.

    Duration: 13:48

  • Perfume

    City of London police warn consumers over online perfume fraud.

    Duration: 04:51

  • Typewriters

    How old typewriters are transforming the educational prospects of blind children in Africa

    Duration: 05:43

  • Allotments

    The government say a new law will stop the decline in allotments and make it easier for communities to force local councils to make more available.

    Duration: 12:27

  • West Coast Main Line

    In the second of his reports on the West Coast Mainline franchise Mark Holdstock profiles the British train companies hoping to clinch the deal.

    Duration: 10:40

  • Comet

    The well known electrical store Comet could be sold by its French owners.

    Duration: 04:50

Broadcasts

  • Thu 19 May 2011 12:00
  • Thu 19 May 2011 12:04

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