Claire Smith: Here to help our readers make better choices

Over the last week I have been exploring my new role as Consumer Affairs Correspondent – and eating extremely well.

Firstly, I was invited out for supper at Cafe Fish by Seafood Scotland – where I ate hake and met Christopher Leftwich, chief inspector of Billingsgate Market, whose favourite fish is halibut.

Then I went for a dinner at Earthy in Edinburgh for the launch of Scottish food writer Joanna Blythman’s great new book What to Eat. I hope to tell you more about Earthy and the way they encourage Scottish growers and suppliers next week.

Sadly it hasn’t all been about food. I have been wading through reports on energy prices, mortgage lending and bank charges, familiarising myself with the issues behind consumer stories.

I’ve never thought of myself as a consumer – but of course we all are. We all heat our homes, feed and clothe ourselves and manage our money.

We are also, in the words of the Chinese saying, living in interesting times. Our high streets are on the decline as we become internet shoppers. Consumers are having to learn to live within credit limits as banks become more reluctant to lend. Bills continue to soar and the housing market is still lurching along having lost momentum as the credit bubble burst.

Over the next few months I will be trying to unearth practical information to help readers become more conscious consumers.

I’ll also be interested to hear about consumer issues which are important to you – so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at [email protected]

If you’ve been badly treated or ripped off or if there is an issue you think I should cover please let me know.

Similarly, if you are offering a new kind of product or service which you think can change our lives for the better, then please feel free to tell me about it.

Oh – and if anyone else wants to take me out for dinner, that would be lovely.