Dispatches

8:00pm Monday, December 17 on C4

2012 will mostly be remembered for two things: the austerity and hardship felt by millions, and the wave of euphoria and pride evoked by the Diamond Jubilee, Olympics and Paralympics. Britain won 29 Olympic gold medals, thousands of people took up volunteering, and the biggest cuts to the welfare state since the 1970s came into force. Dispatches tells the previously untold story of how one of the most deprived communities in Britain is fighting to keep their community from going under, thanks to a hidden army of volunteers.

8:00pm Monday, November 19 on C4

Two years after the MPs expenses scandal, Dispatches examines whether our parliamentarians are still abusing the system. The investigation discovers a system still with problems and a lack of transparency, while unearthing evidence that some MPs are still cashing in.

8:00pm Monday, November 12 on C4

In November 2011, public school educated Neil Percival Heywood, reportedly died of alcohol poisoning in the Lucky Holiday Hotel, in a remote Chinese city. His death, virtually unnoticed at the time, has gone on to shake China’s Communist Party to the core. For the first time on television, Dispatches exposes a tale of sexual intrigue, betrayal and corruption. The film sheds new light on the real story of Heywood’s life, his relationship with the one of the most powerful families in China and the mystery behind his death.

8:00pm Monday, October 22 on C4

Earlier this year Tina Nash’s boyfriend was jailed for life after gouging her eyes out. In this film, with exclusive access to the police, Tina investigates ‘Claire’s Law’, a new controversial pilot scheme in which men and women are warned by the authorities about their partners’ history of violence. Tina wants to know if it will make a difference for other victims of domestic abuse. She meets supporters and opponents to find out whether it is an effective way of pre-empting domestic violence or simply an invasion of privacy. Contact: Peter Heneghan; pheneghan@channel4.co.uk

8:00pm Monday, October 1 on C4

Almost two million Brits took a cruise last year. For many, it’s the holiday of a lifetime with hard-earned savings going in to a dream adventure. Channel 4 Dispatches goes undercover to investigate the reality of life below deck for the multi-national workforce who toil behind the scenes of glamorous ocean going holidays. Dispatches reporter Tazeen Ahmad – travelling as a passenger on a European cruise, alongside an undercover reporter working as an assistant waiter – discover working conditions below the legal minimum in the UK.

8:00pm Monday, September 24 on C4

Dispatches goes undercover to investigate the multi-million pound retirement property industry. As millions of retirees face downsizing their homes, reporter Morland Sanders and Dispatches’ undercover pensioner look at some of the pitfalls of buying a retirement flat. Sanders also meets the pensioners who’ve discovered living in a retirement home isn’t what they hoped for as they battle through tribunals and try to reduce their living costs.

8:00pm Monday, September 10 on C4

After Jamie Oliver’s high-profile campaign to improve school meals a real change was put in place. Millions of pounds were pumped into improving school canteens and tough minimum standards on food and nutrition were set and enforced. In this Dispatches investigation, reporter Tazeen Ahmad examines evidence that strategies to improve the food served in all our schools are fast coming undone.

8:00pm Monday, August 13 on C4

As unemployment rates remain high, Channel 4 Dispatches investigates Jobcentre Plus, the organisation tasked with getting Britain back to work and cracking down on dole cheats. With the help of jobseekers, undercover filming and a former insider, reporter Morland Sanders shows the shirkers’ tricks that make it easy to cheat the system.

8:00pm Monday, August 6 on C4

Britain’s high streets are struggling to survive, but one business is booming; betting shops. On average one new bookie opens every week. In one London high street there are now 10 within yards and the locals are fed up. So what’s driving this gambling boom and what’s the impact on our communities? Michael Crick investigates.

8:00pm Monday, July 9 on C4

An undercover report partly filmed in the Channel Islands promises new revelations about tax avoidance.