The Verdict on the Street: Your views on the hottest topics of the week
Our reporters hit the streets to talk to the public in our major cities across the UK about the news making the headlines this week. In this week's episode, we look at how the cost of living crisis is affecting festive spending, Nigel Farage's appearance on I'm a Celebrity and the latest Christmas TV ads.
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00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:11 Welcome to The Verdict on the Street,
00:13 the show that listens to its audience.
00:17 We're going to take some of the hottest topics
00:19 out onto the streets of Britain to ask you
00:21 what you think of them.
00:24 In a world that seems full of experts,
00:26 sometimes it's the opinions of the people on the street
00:29 that really matter.
00:30 So, great British public, it's over to you.
00:34 We send our reporters out into a number of cities across the UK,
00:38 armed only with a camera and a microphone
00:40 to ask simply, what do you think?
00:42 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:47 On this week's agenda, we're asking,
00:49 is the cost of living crisis making you cut back
00:52 on your Christmas spending?
00:54 What do you think of Nigel Farage's chances
00:56 on the new series of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here?
01:00 And it's that time of year again.
01:01 What's your favourite TV Christmas advert?
01:06 So we start with the very worrying cost of living crisis.
01:09 And unsurprisingly, higher costs of just about everything
01:13 are set to take a toll on Christmas
01:14 spending for many households.
01:17 Britons are expected to buy fewer and cheaper items
01:20 this Christmas, especially online,
01:22 as the cost of deliveries and returns is on the rise.
01:26 Clothing retailers have launched discounts
01:28 as early as November this year in a bid
01:31 to tempt bargain hunters.
01:32 And our major supermarkets have found
01:34 the fight for the Christmas pound fiercer than ever.
01:38 The cost of living crisis has exacerbated
01:40 people's feelings of anxiety in the face of rising costs.
01:44 And as many as one in five people across the UK
01:46 could still be paying off Christmas debt up until Easter.
01:51 So what are your plans?
01:52 Have you got in early to spread the cost?
01:54 Or are the purse strings tighter than ever?
01:58 So when it comes to Christmas this year,
02:01 the industry that I work in is currently
02:02 suffering a huge slump.
02:05 So lots of people are out of work.
02:06 So personally, myself, I'll be not spending a lot of money
02:09 this Christmas, just to make sure
02:11 that I've got enough to tide me through until my industry picks
02:14 up again.
02:15 I mean, I don't usually spend that much on Christmas.
02:17 I usually just stay with my friends or family.
02:19 But the minimum I could spend is like just under 100.
02:24 It depends on what.
02:25 But usually, like, my max is probably 60.
02:29 We're definitely cutting back this time, yeah.
02:31 It's a fine balance, isn't it, I think.
02:33 You know, everyone's looking at the bills and stuff like that.
02:36 So it's a bit of a reality, isn't it, nowadays?
02:39 I'm trying to, because I know--
02:42 I know, especially around this time of year,
02:43 everything's twice the price, if not more.
02:48 Am I cutting back?
02:50 Like I said, I'm trying to.
02:51 I'm not cutting back.
02:53 I'm not-- when I say it, I'm not going mad,
02:57 because you kind of look at it now and think,
02:59 I'm really not going to waste money.
03:01 And I'm going down the lines of maybe giving them
03:03 cash in the hope that--
03:06 I mean, the youngest granddaughter, no,
03:07 she gave me-- she sent me pictures of what
03:10 she wanted from River Island.
03:12 I went, any one of these, Nan, no one full, well,
03:16 I'm getting them all.
03:18 I think they have to.
03:18 I'm going to have to.
03:20 Yeah, especially the industry that I've been working in
03:22 has completely died out.
03:25 What is that industry?
03:26 I work in film and TV as well.
03:28 So yeah, there's been no work in TV at all.
03:33 So I've had to find other work for the time being.
03:36 So that's hit me.
03:37 I mean, that's slightly related, but it's made it even harder,
03:40 because, you know, things are more expensive.
03:42 I'm trying not to be stressed about Christmas,
03:45 because that just takes away the joy.
03:48 And what I've been doing is, as I've seen gifts
03:53 that I think my nearest and dearest would like,
03:55 just buying them without sort of having
03:58 one big glut of spending when it gets really stressful
04:02 and you're trailing around the shop.
04:04 So I've been buying little bits here and there,
04:05 just to spread it so it's not horrible.
04:10 I suppose just trying to be sensible.
04:13 Because normally what happens is I buy presents,
04:15 and then I'm like, I'll just get a few extra little bits.
04:17 So probably trying to be a bit more organised with what
04:21 I'm buying for who.
04:23 Yeah, and we have looked at buying some pre-love stuff,
04:27 to be honest.
04:29 Haven't done that yet, though, because I
04:30 haven't found what I want.
04:31 But I have looked at that, whereas I maybe
04:33 wouldn't have looked at that in previous years.
04:36 So just some of your thoughts there on the matter.
04:39 But what is the data telling us?
04:42 Well, market research suggests that a lot of us
04:44 are turning to bargain hunting and taking out
04:47 credit to cover Christmas expenses this year,
04:50 and that roughly 51% of households
04:52 are expected to stick to a stricter budget.
04:55 And from what we've heard from you,
04:57 it sounds like many of you could well be doing the same.
05:00 Next, if anything distracts us from the run up to Christmas,
05:08 it's the return of I'm a Celebrity.
05:10 And this year, it features Brexit-toting villain
05:13 Nigel Farage, a man that some of us just love to hate.
05:18 The opening show saw the smallest audience
05:21 since it began in 2002.
05:23 So are you tuning in, or would you rather stick your head
05:26 in a bucket of snakes?
05:26 So I've decided not to watch I'm a Celebrity this year,
05:32 purely because of the fact that Nigel Farage is taking part,
05:35 and I just don't agree with it.
05:37 I think the funds for his wages could be put elsewhere.
05:40 I understand that there should be a platform for both left side
05:43 of politics and the right side of politics.
05:44 But when it comes to Nigel Farage,
05:46 he's, in my opinion, right wing.
05:48 And I don't think there should be a platform for that
05:50 on national television.
05:51 I think he's a bit diverse.
05:52 I think he's pretty confident.
05:53 I think he knows his mind.
05:54 I think he's pretty on the ball on most things.
05:57 So yeah, so it'll be good to see what comes of it, really.
05:59 I think he's not as arrogant as Matt Hancock is.
06:03 He's a lot more--
06:05 I'm able to listen to him instead of--
06:08 even though he might have some interest in political views,
06:11 I think he's a lot more--
06:14 easier to get on with him as a person.
06:16 I love Josie Gibson.
06:18 I think she's amazing.
06:20 And anyone who's a real person, I think, will always do well.
06:25 You feel like you've got something in common.
06:27 So Jamie Lee Spears.
06:29 Yeah, oh yeah, Jamie.
06:31 We were saying everyone's going to go, and who are you?
06:33 Yeah, because she introduced herself as an actor,
06:36 rather than Britney Spears' little sister.
06:38 Because she is famous for being--
06:39 I've heard of him, the dating show.
06:41 Quite like him.
06:42 The French one.
06:43 Oh yeah, I like him.
06:44 This year, he's a very good selection in the jungle.
06:47 I'm very excited.
06:48 I actually don't know who might win this year,
06:51 but I wish I'll find out, yeah?
06:53 I wanted to see Nigel Farage, because I
06:55 wanted to see what people were going to say to him,
06:57 and how they were going to react to him with regards to Brexit
07:01 and all this rubbish.
07:03 And I know one person has mentioned it to him.
07:07 He's not coming out with a straight answer.
07:09 And I think he's trying to backtrack.
07:11 I mean, it's called I'm a celebrity.
07:12 He's not necessarily a celebrity, is he?
07:15 Probably more hated than being a celebrity, I would assume.
07:18 I think Matt Hancock has set a really dangerous precedent.
07:22 That's what you want me to say, isn't it?
07:24 But it's true.
07:24 The thing is that Matt Hancock, he's
07:27 set a dangerous precedent that disgraced politicians.
07:30 Now have a second career they can go to.
07:33 I mean, that's how I feel about it.
07:35 And yeah.
07:37 I think Danielle, the clad Lola in EastEnders,
07:39 I think she'll be really good.
07:42 I like Josie.
07:44 I like Josie, me.
07:45 But it's a different opinion, isn't it?
07:48 Politically, he almost single-handedly
07:52 got us out of Europe.
07:53 And if you're in favour of that, he's a bit of a hero.
07:57 For me, he has a bit of charisma.
08:01 He's a bit-- perhaps a little bit too far right for me.
08:05 But he seems to tell the truth.
08:11 And he talks a lot of sense.
08:14 After him being in there, I think he'll go far.
08:18 Because if Hancock managed to finish third, then who knows?
08:29 But speaking of Armistead, half the people in there
08:32 I've never even heard of.
08:34 [MUSIC PLAYING]
08:36 Lastly, we might not be spending as much this Christmas,
08:39 but that won't stop the major players trying to tempt us
08:41 with stars and gimmicks.
08:43 So whose blockbuster advert do you think is best this year?
08:48 I don't think I've watched a lot so far.
08:49 But I don't know what the company is that did the elderly
08:53 ladies who get the sledges.
08:55 I love that.
08:56 Amazon.
08:56 Amazon?
08:57 Yeah, it's Amazon.
08:57 Anything heartwarming.
08:59 Yeah, I don't mind.
09:00 If you're going to be forced to watch adverts,
09:02 I would like to watch a Christmas advert.
09:05 Yeah.
09:06 [MUSIC PLAYING]
09:09 I mean, I'm looking at them and I'm thinking,
09:16 oh, here we go again.
09:17 Kevin the carers.
09:18 Apparently, they were queuing up outside all
09:21 because they do a different Kevin every year.
09:24 And I'm kind of thinking, I'm sick of looking at these jingle
09:27 bells and everything's wonderful.
09:30 People are going through a cost of a living crisis.
09:33 Make it logical for where we are now as a country.
09:38 As far as the M&S advert goes, I did see it.
09:42 And I was absolutely baffled by it.
09:45 And it was instead of celebrating Christmas,
09:47 they were trying to destroy it.
09:50 I just can't--
09:51 I just don't see what the marketing department thought
09:56 that that would attract people.
09:58 I really-- it just bamboozled me completely.
10:02 [MUSIC PLAYING]
10:05 But I won't do that.
10:10 No, I won't do that.
10:12 I wouldn't do anything.
10:15 They were putting cards in the fire.
10:17 They were putting paper hats in the fire.
10:20 And they were throwing the snowman away.
10:23 So all the lovely traditions.
10:25 There's no sign of kids opening presents,
10:28 which is what it's all about.
10:30 And I think they lost a lot of business through that.
10:33 And it's their own fault. Just sheer stupidity.
10:38 I haven't seen any yet.
10:39 Not starting to see some.
10:41 I know there's supposed to be a good one coming out.
10:42 There's usually a good M&S one.
10:45 But I haven't seen any yet.
10:46 I haven't actually seen that many, to be honest, this time.
10:50 I've seen the Marks and Spencers one,
10:52 because we actually live in Wrexham.
10:53 So it's where the football is.
10:55 So I've seen that Marks and Spencers one,
10:57 with reference to Ryan Reynolds and Rob Maffehenny.
11:00 So that's good.
11:00 Probably that's my favourite one.
11:03 Speak to me, left.
11:05 I got snow right up my arse.
11:06 Merry Christmas.
11:07 Oh, hello.
11:08 I'm right.
11:09 And my damn friend here is left.
11:11 He does that when he gets excited.
11:13 I've not seen any of them really this year,
11:14 apart from the Amazon one.
11:16 I know the John Lewis one's normally good.
11:18 But I've not seen it.
11:19 But I don't know if that's because we don't really
11:21 watch television in the way that we used to watch it.
11:24 So you're not forced to sit through the adverts anymore.
11:27 What was it?
11:27 It was the John Lewis one, wasn't it, I think.
11:31 They were always good.
11:32 And I think Aldi did quite a few.
11:33 You know, with the carrots.
11:35 Do you remember that one?
11:37 A magical Christmas Eve, the most wonderful time of year.
11:41 Five lucky winners waited.
11:43 Then William Conker appeared.
11:46 Inside, the flumpty-dumpties prepared a big celebration.
11:50 Welcome to my world.
11:52 [MUSIC PLAYING]
11:55 (upbeat music)
11:58 (upbeat music)