Cavity Wall Claims, Jaeger, Onion Shortage
Featuring an investigation into the growth of compensation claims in the cavity wall industry and a look at the impact of this year's poor onion crop.
Claims for compensation following the installation of cavity wall insulation have quadrupled in two years. The Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency, which represents installers and provides a guarantee for their work has received over 600 claims so far this year. They believe the growth has been fuelled by claims management companies that cold call homeowners. We investigate some of the claims that have been brought against insulation installers.
Fashion retailer Jaeger is to open more than 20 new UK stores in the next 12 months, they currently have nine. It's a big turn around for a company that entered into administration last April, resulting in job losses and store closures. The company was purchased by The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, which owns other clothes retailers such as Peacocks and Jane Norman. We talk to Jaeger's Product Director about the steps they've taken to turn the brand around.
It's been a tough year for farmers, the cold weather in March followed by record breaking warm weather in June had a big impact on crops. Onions are no exception, the British Onions Association say this Autumn's crop is 40% smaller than in previous years. Once harvested, onions are stored and sold for the rest of the year. However growers have warned that stores will run short by next April, meaning supermarkets will need to import from the Southern Hemisphere.
Presented by Melanie Abbott.
Produced by Beatrice Pickup.