0:00:02 > 0:00:03Why are you walking away?
0:00:06 > 0:00:07In every corner of Wales...
0:00:11 > 0:00:12..We investigate...
0:00:12 > 0:00:13..Scams and rip-offs...
0:00:15 > 0:00:16..Bad service and dodgy deals.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21If you've been conned out of your hard-earned cash...
0:00:21 > 0:00:24- ..We're here...- On your side... - In your corner.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Fighting for your rights.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Fighting for you.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31This is X-Ray.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45On tonight's programme,
0:00:45 > 0:00:49the mystery fines racked up by one unsuspecting motorist.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53The bill in total now is well over £1,000.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56From places he'd never even been.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01Revealed - the shocking results of tests on fake goods
0:01:01 > 0:01:02destined for Wales.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05This has the potential to have been lethal.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09And we're trying out some of the latest tools
0:01:09 > 0:01:11in the fight against food waste.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14I've got to be honest with you, I don't know what this is.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Hello, welcome to the programme.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23I'm here at Coleg y Cymoedd's Aberdare campus where the chefs,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26builders and hairdressers of the future are busy training
0:01:26 > 0:01:29and some of them will be joining me later when we'll have some
0:01:29 > 0:01:37practical advice on cutting Wales's annual £610m food waste bill.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42First, though, the dreaded parking or speeding fine.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Most of us know that sinking feeling
0:01:44 > 0:01:47when one of these drops through the letterbox,
0:01:47 > 0:01:52but what if you're picking up the bill for someone else's bad driving?
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Well, that's exactly what happened to one couple from south Wales.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02For many of us, our car is our pride and joy.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06It can cost thousands of pounds and we choose a model
0:02:06 > 0:02:09that fits our individual personality and lifestyle.
0:02:10 > 0:02:11So, it's a bit annoying
0:02:11 > 0:02:16when someone else comes along in the same model, the same colour,
0:02:16 > 0:02:20but when even the number plate is the same,
0:02:20 > 0:02:23that's when things get serious,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26as Alyn and Daisy from Pontllanfraith found out.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31Lorry driver Alyn spends most of his working week behind the wheel
0:02:31 > 0:02:35so he's experienced at sticking to the rules of the road.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38I bought a little car going back to about May last year
0:02:38 > 0:02:42just to get back and forth to work and everything was great at first.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44The car was fantastic.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48So, it was a shock when fines started arriving.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54I started to get these random letters coming through from London
0:02:54 > 0:02:57in regards to fines and obviously it was quite confusing.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02Before long, Alyn had amassed around 20 fixed penalty notices,
0:03:02 > 0:03:06demanding a total payment of more than £1,000 -
0:03:06 > 0:03:11one for driving in a bus lane, others for overstaying in car parks.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13All had one thing in common -
0:03:13 > 0:03:20they were issued in London in places Alyn and Daisy had never even been.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23In total, we've had about seven different companies contact us
0:03:23 > 0:03:25in regards to fines on this vehicle
0:03:25 > 0:03:28and the bill in total now is well over £1,000.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33All the fines came with photographic evidence of the offences
0:03:33 > 0:03:36committed by a silver Ford Focus like theirs
0:03:36 > 0:03:38with the exact same numberplate.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Alyn and Daisy thought they were seeing double,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44until they spotted one crucial difference.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46The vehicle in question was a four-door vehicle and mine is
0:03:46 > 0:03:49a three-door so obviously something has gone awry at that point.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54More digging revealed someone had made a copy of their numberplate,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56stuck it on a lookalike car
0:03:56 > 0:04:01and was using it to break the rules without facing the consequences.
0:04:01 > 0:04:02Car cloning,
0:04:02 > 0:04:08where a duplicate numberplate is put on a matching car, is a crime.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11But innocent victims like Alyn and Daisy
0:04:11 > 0:04:13usually have absolutely no idea
0:04:13 > 0:04:17that there's an identical version of their car our there
0:04:17 > 0:04:20driving around committing offences.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26They're totally oblivious,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28until, that is...
0:04:28 > 0:04:31they get landed with a cost.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34I couldn't believe someone had had the audacity to copy
0:04:34 > 0:04:38someone's plates and then obviously run the car around in London where
0:04:38 > 0:04:43it's heavily CCTVd and it's crazy to think why is this happening to me.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45The problem dragged on for a year
0:04:45 > 0:04:48and then debt collectors got involved.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51They used to call me on a regular basis,
0:04:51 > 0:04:55like every three hours in work, and I drive so I'm on my hands-free
0:04:55 > 0:04:58talking to these bailiffs, saying they're coming to my house.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Alyn works away five days of the week, so I'm here on my own.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05I'd come home and make sure the doors are all locked.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Worryingly, X-ray has discovered this is a problem on the rise.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13We asked Welsh police forces how many camera-detected offences
0:05:13 > 0:05:16are cancelled because a cloned plate was used.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Although only two forces got back to us, their figures show
0:05:20 > 0:05:25the number of cases has almost trebled in the last two years.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28But why clone a car in the first place?
0:05:28 > 0:05:32If you are the sort of person that indulges in high-level criminal activity
0:05:32 > 0:05:35and you don't want the police to be able to trace your whereabouts,
0:05:35 > 0:05:39then putting a false number plate on a car is a very easy way to do it.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44Since 2003, the law has required numberplate suppliers
0:05:44 > 0:05:49to check evidence of vehicle ownership and identity before selling.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54But a quick online search revealed plenty of websites
0:05:54 > 0:05:57selling cheap, custom-ordered plates.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02I ordered a copy of this set of numberplates for just 20 quid.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05At no point was I asked for any documents,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08any proof of ownership - nothing.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11All I needed was a car, a registration number,
0:06:11 > 0:06:13an address and a credit card.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18But how is selling plates like this to order even legal?
0:06:18 > 0:06:21These plates met all the requirements
0:06:21 > 0:06:23to be used on UK vehicles
0:06:23 > 0:06:26and could be easily used as clones.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29But the website we bought them from is based overseas
0:06:29 > 0:06:33and so can avoid the checks required by UK law.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37What should people do if they suspect their car has been cloned?
0:06:37 > 0:06:40If you receive a parking ticket out of the blue or a speeding ticket
0:06:40 > 0:06:44and you were nowhere near where it was committed, don't ignore it.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48The first thing is reply to whoever sent that notification,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51a parking company, a safety camera partnership or whatever,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53explain that you weren't there.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Also, get in touch with the police
0:06:55 > 0:06:58because the police have a responsibility to go and find out
0:06:58 > 0:07:00who's committing that offence and deal with them.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Now, unfortunately, you will have to provide some proof of that
0:07:04 > 0:07:06so the more you can get, the better -
0:07:06 > 0:07:08petrol receipts or shopping receipts,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11anything that can establish that you were the person
0:07:11 > 0:07:15miles and miles away from where the offence was committed.
0:07:15 > 0:07:16For Alyn and Daisy,
0:07:16 > 0:07:21the experience of having their car cloned has been a stressful one.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24We only earn an average salary and having some bills
0:07:24 > 0:07:27coming through for over £800 is quite daunting, you know?
0:07:27 > 0:07:30All we ever had was more bailiff letters,
0:07:30 > 0:07:34more letters with demands for money, for money which I don't owe.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Very worrying. Well, we've been in touch with the councils
0:07:39 > 0:07:41who issued Alyn and Daisy with those fines
0:07:41 > 0:07:44and they've now all agreed to cancel them,
0:07:44 > 0:07:48but our experts say that if you've been a victim of car cloning,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52as well as contacting whoever issued the fines, it is crucial that
0:07:52 > 0:07:56you get your own numberplate changed as quickly as possible.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59To do that, you need to contact the DVLA,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02who'll be able to advise you on the best steps to take.
0:08:03 > 0:08:04Still to come tonight,
0:08:04 > 0:08:08what happens when you can't trust your electricity meter?
0:08:08 > 0:08:12It's got to the point where we haven't got the heating on
0:08:12 > 0:08:15because I'm frightened to put them on.
0:08:16 > 0:08:17Now, it's a familiar story -
0:08:17 > 0:08:21you lose track of what's in the fridge, and before you know it,
0:08:21 > 0:08:26you're throwing away mouldy veg and out-of-date yoghurt into the bin.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30As a nation, we're responsible for a food waste mountain.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35Every year, we throw away enough to fill the Principality Stadium.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39So we sent Omar along to investigate a 21st-century solution.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44Whether it's breakfast,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46lunch...
0:08:46 > 0:08:48or dinner,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57But occasionally even those of us with a hearty appetite
0:08:57 > 0:08:59bite off more than we can chew.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01I can't be the only one who's rummaged in the fridge
0:09:01 > 0:09:05for something to eat and realised that last week's shopping has
0:09:05 > 0:09:10already gone off, and throwing stuff away gives me such a sour taste.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16And it's not just good food that's going down the drain.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20The UK throws away around £10 billion worth of food a year
0:09:20 > 0:09:24with the average family chucking 24 meals every month.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28So, what can we do to cut down on food waste?
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Well, as with so many things these days,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34technology may be part of the solution.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38And you might have guessed, there is an app for that. It's called Olio.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40It's like a Freecycle for food
0:09:40 > 0:09:42and it is every kind of food you can imagine.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46The idea is that neighbours, local cafes and shops in an area
0:09:46 > 0:09:50can use it to share their leftovers and surplus food.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Becca Clark runs a community garden in Cardiff
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and has been using the app for a year.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Last year, I had a huge glut of tomatoes.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03I was making chutney, I was putting them in all my dishes,
0:10:03 > 0:10:07but I was getting sick of tomatoes so that's when I found Olio,
0:10:07 > 0:10:11actually, and I put a load of tomatoes up on the app.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Tell me exactly how it works.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17You can upload onto it pictures of food you might want to give away
0:10:17 > 0:10:20or you might be going away for the weekend and you don't want
0:10:20 > 0:10:23things in your fridge to go off so you want to give them away.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27The food can be anything from half a jar of pickled onions,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29because maybe you didn't like them,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31to fresh fruit and veg.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36There's only one way to find out how good the Olio app really is.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39I've set myself the challenge of rustling up these ingredients
0:10:39 > 0:10:41and cooking a tasty meal.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45Becca's started me off with some delicious pears, grapes
0:10:45 > 0:10:47and veg from the community garden.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51Next, I meet Sathia, who's using the app to give away rice
0:10:51 > 0:10:53as well as something a bit more unusual.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56I've got to be honest with you, I don't know what this is.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01And Flo has used Olio to give away spare lentils,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Sri Lankan spices and fennel tea.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06So, it's taken me a couple of hours,
0:11:06 > 0:11:10but it looks like I've got most of the ingredients for a decent meal.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14The only problem is, I'm a hopeless cook.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Time to call in a favour from my sister, Summer.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Right, do you know what the favour is that I need?
0:11:19 > 0:11:21No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- It's something to do with this bag. - OK.
0:11:23 > 0:11:29I've got a range of ingredients here that I need to cook into a meal.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- You know my idea of cooking is using a microwave.- Exactly.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- And you want me to help you cook? - Yes, please.- OK.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39I'm sure we can do something with it.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42Time to roll my sleeves up.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44This food was destined for the bin,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48but instead it's going to end up on my plate.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50- Am I doing it right? - Yeah, that's fine.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Olio can be used for any food,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55except stuff which is mouldy or past its use-by date.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59I literally cannot believe what I am looking at.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02In not very much time, my big sister has gone full Nigella
0:12:02 > 0:12:04and delivered an amazing Sri Lankan stew.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Mmm! And all completely free.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Luckily for those of us who are hopeless in the kitchen
0:12:15 > 0:12:18and don't have a friendly chef to bale us out,
0:12:18 > 0:12:20there's another app which might be worth a look.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23It's called Too Good To Go and, like Olio,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26it's got users springing up across Wales.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29It lets you pick up takeaway food from restaurants, cafes
0:12:29 > 0:12:30and bakeries.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32I've got the Good To Go app.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37The cost varies, but it never comes in at more than £3.80.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41A slap-up meal from this World Food Buffet would set you back
0:12:41 > 0:12:43just £2.99.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48One place which has recently got in on the act
0:12:48 > 0:12:50is this bakery in Cardiff.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51Today's goodies.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Owner David le Mesurier started using the app last month.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59At the end of the day, we'd maybe have some croissants
0:12:59 > 0:13:04or maybe a couple of loaves, or perishable items, like scones.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06We're talking every single day, seven days a week
0:13:06 > 0:13:08so there will inevitably be some waste.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10If somebody's not able to come and pick it up,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12we're not able to go and donate it somewhere,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15you will find that there's things heading for the bin.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19The bakery regularly gets up to 21 app users a week,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21picking up an end-of-day bargain.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26Too Good To Go specifically has cut down our waste by 50%.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Wales has got a long way to go
0:13:29 > 0:13:33if we're going to meet our target of halving our food waste by 2025.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37But if apps like these can help, it's a pretty tasty solution
0:13:37 > 0:13:39and all at the tap of a touch-screen.
0:13:41 > 0:13:42Clever stuff.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46Well, I'm joined now by Sian Morgan, who's an expert on all this.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51So, Sian, just give me an idea of how much food we're all wasting.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Yeah, we really are wasting a huge amount.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55An adult, on average, will throw away
0:13:55 > 0:13:58two-and-a-half main meals of food per week.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02That's a cost to an average family of £60 a month in wasted food.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Another way that you can look at it is that
0:14:04 > 0:14:07a fifth of all of our food that we buy ends up in the bin
0:14:07 > 0:14:10so imagine you buy five bags of shopping, one of them
0:14:10 > 0:14:13goes straight in the bin, so think about the money that costs you.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15It is a staggering amount, isn't it?
0:14:15 > 0:14:19We heard in Omar's report about apps that can help us reduce our waste,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22but there are other gadgets around as well now, aren't there?
0:14:22 > 0:14:25There are. There are new materials,
0:14:25 > 0:14:27smart materials being used in our packaging.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31So, this one, for example, you've got a colour indicator
0:14:31 > 0:14:34so the dot in the middle will change colour to indicate
0:14:34 > 0:14:36when you need to eat your food before it goes off.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40There are also fridge cameras that you can buy.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43These are linked up to your phone so you can basically
0:14:43 > 0:14:45check your fridge when you're in the supermarket,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48if you've forgotten to make a list before going out.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52But we don't have to splash the cash on gadgets like a fridge-cam, do we?
0:14:52 > 0:14:56There are lots of things that we can start doing right now.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Absolutely. You can do simple things today.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02We know that the average temperature of a fridge in a home
0:15:02 > 0:15:05is around seven degrees, and it should be below five,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08so a simple thermometer if you haven't got one fitted,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10pop it in your fridge and turn that temperature down.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14Simply writing a list, thinking ahead before you go shopping.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17You can take a photo on your phone if you're running out of time.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21We call it a shelfie and then you can check it from the supermarket.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23It's really easy.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26If you've overcooked, you can pop your leftovers in the freezer
0:15:26 > 0:15:28or you might even have a free lunch for the next day.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Lots of things I hadn't thought of doing there, Sian.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32Thank you very much.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36So, what could we do with that food that we may be tempted
0:15:36 > 0:15:38just to chuck in the bin?
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Well, Caitlin and Ethan are students here at the college
0:15:40 > 0:15:42and I've got a challenge for you both.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45I've got a selection of commonly wasted foods here.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49There's fruit and veg that are just starting to go a little bit,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53some bread, some chicken, and what I would like you to do is try
0:15:53 > 0:15:57and rustle up something that we'd much rather eat than throw away.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- Do you think you can do it? - Yeah.- Brilliant.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02I'll come and see how you get on a bit later in the programme.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Thank you!
0:16:04 > 0:16:07First, though, Rachel's been investigating an electricity company
0:16:07 > 0:16:11that gave two of its customers a bit of a nasty shock.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14MUSIC: Are Friends Electric? By Tubeway Army
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Electricity - it's a key part of our modern lives
0:16:18 > 0:16:21whether we're using it to heat our homes or boil the kettle.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27Most of us get our power from a big energy provider
0:16:27 > 0:16:29and that provider uses a meter
0:16:29 > 0:16:32to determine how much electricity we've used
0:16:32 > 0:16:35and, so, how much we owe them.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40But for one Welsh couple, it isn't quite that straightforward.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46Anne and Gerry's cottage in Welshpool may look idyllic,
0:16:46 > 0:16:51but as pensioners, they have to be eagle-eyed with their finances.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54If a bill goes up or our rent's going up,
0:16:54 > 0:16:59you've got to find that extra £30 or £20, even £10,
0:16:59 > 0:17:03and it's worrying where you're going to find it from.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Our money has to go a long way.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08Two years ago,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Anne decided to switch electricity providers
0:17:11 > 0:17:13on the advice of her daughter,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16who was sure she could bring her energy bills down.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20She said, "Give it a try, Mum. You might get a better deal."
0:17:20 > 0:17:23And at the time, First Utility was the best deal.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26For most of the first year with the company,
0:17:26 > 0:17:30the couple paid a monthly direct debit of £92.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33But then there was a shock in store.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37We put some fuel in the car...
0:17:38 > 0:17:42..and I went to pay and my card was declined.
0:17:42 > 0:17:48We found out that First Utility had upped the direct debit
0:17:48 > 0:17:49and not told us.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Were you using more electricity?
0:17:52 > 0:17:54No, the usage hadn't changed at all.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00First Utility had suddenly increased Anne's payments
0:18:00 > 0:18:03to a massive £162 a month.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08She called the company and was told their previous direct debit amount
0:18:08 > 0:18:10was not enough to cover their bills.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16She negotiated the payments down to £120 a month,
0:18:16 > 0:18:20but in September, they got another bolt out of the blue.
0:18:22 > 0:18:28A few weeks ago, they put our direct debit up from £120 to £254.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32£254 just for electricity?
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Just for electricity.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38It left me with £2.53 in the account.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45So, what on earth is going on?
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Well, according to their meter,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50their July bill had been down as using
0:18:50 > 0:18:53over seven times as much energy
0:18:53 > 0:18:55as they did in the same period last year.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59Anne and Gerry were sure they weren't using any more
0:18:59 > 0:19:01electricity than usual.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03It didn't make sense.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Anne told First Utility she was worried the meter wasn't accurate,
0:19:07 > 0:19:12but was told, if she wanted it checked, there'd be a price to pay.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15We'd have to pay £160-odd
0:19:15 > 0:19:18and I said, "Well, I haven't got £160-odd."
0:19:18 > 0:19:22"Ah, but if the meter's wrong, we'll get it back."
0:19:22 > 0:19:24But I hadn't got the confidence
0:19:24 > 0:19:27in them saying, yes, there was something wrong with the meter.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- So, you couldn't risk it?- No. No.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36And having to penny-pinch with their electricity
0:19:36 > 0:19:38is taking its toll on Anne's health.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42It's got to the point where we haven't got the heating on
0:19:42 > 0:19:45because I'm frightened to put them on.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Even to put the kettle on for having a drink.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53If I get cold cos I'm full of arthritis,
0:19:53 > 0:19:58I'm in a lot of pain, so, basically, I have to stay in bed.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03So, could the meter be at fault?
0:20:03 > 0:20:08We brought in electricity consultant Dr Robert Brown to see what he made
0:20:08 > 0:20:10of Anne and Gerry's bills.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12The bills looks excessively high.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14That's an indication,
0:20:14 > 0:20:18given that this is a standard three-bedroom domestic dwelling.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22This bill is indicating that it's nearly three times
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- the average of what it should be. - That is a lot.- That's a lot.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Roughly, over a day,
0:20:27 > 0:20:31this is consuming 30-32 kilowatt hours per day
0:20:31 > 0:20:34when a domestic property such as this should be
0:20:34 > 0:20:37in the region of 10-12 kilowatt hours per day.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43Next up, Robert looks at the meter itself, then takes a measurement of
0:20:43 > 0:20:47the actual electricity consumption of Anne and Gerry's property.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50In this brief period of time that we've monitored it,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53it's between 10 and 12 kilowatt hours.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Which is what you'd expect of this property.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Which is what we'd expect for this property
0:20:57 > 0:21:02and that's not reflected in the electricity bills that we've seen
0:21:02 > 0:21:05and that indicates that, on the balance of probabilities,
0:21:05 > 0:21:10that this particular electricity meter is reading high.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14Further tests over several days reinforce Dr Brown's view
0:21:14 > 0:21:18that the Pryces' meter could be inaccurate,
0:21:18 > 0:21:22but Anne and Gerry just want an end to their battle of the bills.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24On bad days, I don't want to eat,
0:21:24 > 0:21:26I don't want to drink, I don't want nothing,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29thinking, "Where are we going to find this money from?
0:21:29 > 0:21:31"Will it ever end?"
0:21:31 > 0:21:35It's just beating our heads against the wall, really.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40Well, First Utility say not warning Anne and Gerry
0:21:40 > 0:21:45that their direct debit was going up was an error and they've apologised.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48They're now investigating the Pryces' bills and meter accuracy
0:21:48 > 0:21:50and they won't be charging for that.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53They've also agreed to reduce the couple's monthly payments
0:21:53 > 0:21:55while they get to the bottom of this.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58We've passed on our experts' findings to the company
0:21:58 > 0:22:00and we'll keep you updated.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05Now, here in Aberdare, I've been finding out what foods are
0:22:05 > 0:22:08more likely to end up filling people's bins
0:22:08 > 0:22:10rather than their bellies.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15- Do you waste a lot?- Not really.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Only, like, salads cos my dog can't eat the waste,
0:22:18 > 0:22:20but my nan usually will give it to the dog.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24Like yoghurts, cooked hams, things like that that go in the fridge,
0:22:24 > 0:22:26they always go out of date in our house.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29I can buy a loaf and use a couple of slices.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Chocolates, things that you forgot you've got.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- You're not throwing away chocolates, are you?- Yeah.- Give them to me!
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Throw them in my direction, I'll have them!
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Biscuits when they've been opened and not been closed tightly.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45Lettuce and bananas, things that tend to go off quite quickly.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50I buy things that are far too big in quantity, like a loaf of bread.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53My waste comes from my children, usually.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Yes, I'm sure we're all guilty of throwing some of those things away.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01Now, earlier in the programme, we set students Caitlin and Ethan
0:23:01 > 0:23:04the challenge of transforming some of
0:23:04 > 0:23:08our most commonly wasted foods into something a lot more appetising.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21I have to say, you two have done the most amazing job
0:23:21 > 0:23:24because this looks absolutely incredible.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27John, you're their tutor - what do you make of that? It's a feast!
0:23:27 > 0:23:29It's a very good job they've done in the time allotted, yes.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Caitlin has made an apple and cinnamon bread and butter pudding.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Lots of people have told me they throw bread away
0:23:35 > 0:23:37so that seems like a great idea.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40As long as bread isn't green, you can use it.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43It loses its flavour a bit if it's kept in the fridge.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46It lasts longer, but it doesn't taste the same.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Ethan made Italian chicken, he made a tomato sauce,
0:23:49 > 0:23:53but he also made out of the potatoes and the cheese, a dauphinoise.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55People throw a lot of potatoes away
0:23:55 > 0:23:58because they go bad or they're left...
0:23:58 > 0:24:01As long as they're firm and not green, you can use them.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Now to the broccoli, we made a broccoli and lettuce
0:24:04 > 0:24:07and cheddar cheese soup.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10All your vegetables you've got, you just need to put into a pan,
0:24:10 > 0:24:15add some stock, puree it and you have a refreshing, nutritious dish.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Then we used the breadcrumbs
0:24:17 > 0:24:20we made from the remainder of the bread to make the little pates.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Well, I'll definitely be thinking twice
0:24:23 > 0:24:25before I throw anything away from now on. Thank you!
0:24:25 > 0:24:27Now, last winter,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30we went out on a major operation with Trading Standards
0:24:30 > 0:24:34to intercept gangs bringing counterfeit goods into south Wales.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Here's Rachel with an update.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42When it comes to shopping, we love our big name brands.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46But we're not always so keen on their big prices, which means
0:24:46 > 0:24:51big opportunities for crooks to cash in by selling cheap copies.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Fakes like these may seem like a bargain,
0:24:54 > 0:24:58but they're usually shoddily made, or worse -
0:24:58 > 0:24:59much worse.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02This is a fake NutriBullet blender,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06exploding seconds after its blade got stuck.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Many counterfeits, like these phone chargers or hair straighteners,
0:25:10 > 0:25:14are missing vital safety components found in the real thing,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17causing them to overheat and start fires.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21But who's supplying all these dodgy goods?
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Last winter, X-Ray hit the road with police
0:25:24 > 0:25:28and Trading Standards officers to catch criminals carrying
0:25:28 > 0:25:33counterfeit goods bound for the South West and ultimately Wales.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36It's not long before the first one is pulled over
0:25:36 > 0:25:39and Trading Standards move in to search it.
0:25:40 > 0:25:46It's jam-packed full of footwear and undoubtedly they're counterfeit.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49And more vans reveal more fake goods.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51It's like an Aladdin's cave -
0:25:51 > 0:25:55Michael Kors watches, GHD straighteners
0:25:55 > 0:25:58and an awful lot of Apple chargers.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02Big concern, really, as far as safety is concerned.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05The operation was a success.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Rhys Harries from Swansea Trading Standards takes us
0:26:08 > 0:26:11through the £1 million haul.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13We've got perfume, watches, jewellery.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16There's over 65 different brands
0:26:16 > 0:26:19and thousands upon thousands of products in here.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23- We've got some make-up, some Urban Decay.- Very popular.- Yes, it is.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26But our concerns are what's in it.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Are there heavy metals, like arsenic and lead in there?
0:26:29 > 0:26:34We seized some GHDs and some Apple chargers.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37We have some real concerns over the safety of this product.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39They're actually rusty.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Back in the summer, the electrical goods were sent for testing
0:26:42 > 0:26:46and we can now reveal the disturbing results.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50This has the potential to be lethal.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52That's because this wiring here
0:26:52 > 0:26:54is only single insulation.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57The charger is plugged in to see what happens.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59It lasts just a few minutes.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01- Gone.- Yep.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06Next, Simon tests how the plug would cope with a surge in mains power.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08HIGH-PITCHED TONE
0:27:08 > 0:27:11This circuit board is inherently unsafe.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Either the socket itself or any cable that's attached to it
0:27:14 > 0:27:17or any metal-bodied phone that's attached to it
0:27:17 > 0:27:20could potentially become live in the event of using this charger.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22And just last month,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26cosmetics and jewellery from the raid were also tested.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Make-up, including fake Mac, Kylie Jenner and Naked products
0:27:30 > 0:27:34contained high levels of lead, which is poisonous.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37Some of jewellery and watches contained nickel,
0:27:37 > 0:27:39which can cause skin irritation,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42with one Rado watch containing the highest levels
0:27:42 > 0:27:44the testing house had ever seen.
0:27:44 > 0:27:49With these results, it's clear just why Trading Standards are
0:27:49 > 0:27:54so keen to crackdown on the gangs behind the goods.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56Really nasty, but good to see
0:27:56 > 0:27:59those fake goods have been taken off the streets.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Well, that's all we've got time for this week.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Next week, we're gearing up for Halloween.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08But trick or treat?
0:28:08 > 0:28:10- Do you all like sweets? ALL:- Yeah!
0:28:10 > 0:28:16But can you be sure what ingredients your favourite sweets contain?
0:28:18 > 0:28:20Remember to get in touch if you need our help.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22You can drop us an e-mail or give us a call.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26The lines are open now. We'll see you next week. Bye-bye.