BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts.

Hello and welcome to the cunningly named The Martin Lewis Podcast.

I do wonder what that's going to be about.

And this is question time, in which I answer your questions about absolutely anything and everything within reason.

In this week's pod, you ask me, can I say no to a

smart metre? Should a mature student try to clear their student loan? Is it best to fix energy for one

or two years? Is being a stooser, a loser when it comes to mortgages

and far more,

including our producer

asking for broadcasting tips

just for themselves.

Abuse of power, I say.

Play the theme tune.

I got meals.

I got to pay.

Someone going to work for it to the show this week. So it is he who gets to choose what questions are being thrown at me. Podcast producer Matt isn't very well. Get well

soon, Matt. But I'm delighted to have Michael sitting in for him. You're going to give me lovely, sweet,

nice and easy questions that I can just breathe through this podcast, aren't you, Michael? Of course. Yes, I am. Good. Right. What we're starting with? That did not sound like me at all. Yes, I can't do. I can't ventrific scouts. Do your best skulls accent. Oh, no. I'm going to try, but I've got edit rights. Yeah, all right, Michael, what we're doing? That was very Paul McCartley-esque. That was like 1960s Scouse. I actually went to school, Liverpool. My junior school was in Liverpool. So for about four years, yeah. I thought you were going to do... Because I'm a North West boy, but I've lost it now.

Can we just get on to the money questions please, Michael?

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

I thought you were going to say, oh, I went to school with John Lennon, which is what I've heard a million times. Thank you very much. I'm not John Lennon's age or Paul McCartney's age. Okay Martin so first question we've got here is from June and June says in the past I have always declined the offer of a smart meter primarily because of the poor reputation. I've been contacted twice by Octopus which is my energy provider for both gas and electric stating that my electricity meter has passed its certification date and that by law they are required to replace it. This is in connection with the Electricity Act 1989. I do not, under any circumstances, want a smart meter fitted.

Can I legally and lawfully refuse? It appears to me that the softly, softly approach of offering

...