Money Box

The UK is seeing a record number of redundancies, with the latest figures showing more than 314,000 people lost their jobs over the summer. Charmaine Cozier and our panel are here to answer your questions on all things redundancy, from legal rights to budgeting while you're out of work. Drop us a line with your thoughts or questions: [email protected] or tweet @moneyboxPanel: Susie Al-Qassab - Head of Employment Law, Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors Bukiie Smart - Founder of Save Spend InvestPresenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Emma Rippon

How do you make sure that people get advice before they cash in their pension funds early? The latest figures show that more than £2 billion was released early by nearly 350,000 people in the three months to September. Only about one in 30 of the people who take money out get guidance or advice about their decision. The Government’s answer is what it calls a ‘stronger nudge’ and on Monday it is expected to set out its plans to MPs as a new Pension Bill comes to its finale in the House of Commons. Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, Stephen Timms MP, thinks a nudge is not enough.The Warm Home Discount gives customers on low incomes or in particular family circumstances £140 off one winter energy bill but Money Box has heard that some people who should be eligible to receive the discount are being refused because the scheme is running out of money and suppliers are tightening up the conditions. We speak to the boss of Utilita.How to talk to children about money and 19,000 investors want to know why they have not been able to get their hands on their missing millions for well over a year. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Darin Graham Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Richard Vadon

In the early days of lockdown the government announced support for the self-employed who'd had their work impacted - or even destroyed - by the pandemic. But it's estimated that more than a million people have been unable to claim any financial help from the scheme, and they've been in touch with Money Box in droves. Adam Shaw and our panel hear from some of those who've been stuck without government support and want to know why not, and ask what other help is out there for freelancers.Panel: Andy Chambers - Director of Policy at IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed Tom Waters - Senior Research Economist from the Institute For Fiscal Studies Caroline Miskin - Technical Manager from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Emma Rippon

A Money Box investigation has found that people across the UK are being refused home Covid tests because of their credit histories. The government uses a credit scoring database to verify the identity of those asking for the tests but that relies on people having a credit history big enough to leave a footprint.The guides on how to commit scams (and get away with it) being sold online and in plain sight on social media platforms.And the ins and outs of the new furlough as announced by the Chancellor on Thursday.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Kafui Okpattah Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Richard Vadon

Felicity Hannah and our expert panel field questions on all things baby related - from parental leave and pay to saving for a baby, your legal rights, budgeting, dealing with unemployment and finding out what government help you can expect. Our panel includes:Laura Suter - Personal finance analyst at AJ Bell, and new parentNick Hill - Money Advice ServiceNyaradzo Nyakatawa - Legal advisor for charity Pregnant Then ScrewedProducer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Emma Rippon

As the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme wraps up, what are your redundancy rights? And what happens if you’re on a zero-hours contract?Gym members are being pursued by debt collectors after they cancelled their direct debit for fees to gyms they couldn't go to because of the pandemic. And why are banks refusing to open accounts for newly formed charities and community groups? Presenter: Paul Lewis Researcher: Darin Graham Reporter: Kafui Okpattah Producer: Simon Maybin Editor: Richard Vadon

Starting a business is hard, but starting one during lockdown is harder. Louise Cooper and guests revisit young entrepreneurs who made their side hustle into their 9-5 during lockdown to see how they’re getting on. They also hear from some new businesses owners looking for some help and guidance about starting and sustaining a successful company.Guests: Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation Annabel Cork, founder of Make It Your Business Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Emma Rippon If you’ve got a story to share, do email us on [email protected] or you can Tweet us @moneybox

The numbers of people targeted by thieves on Instagram has sharply risen during lockdown and Action Fraud is warning Instagram users to be wary of fraudulent investment posts offering ‘get rich quick’ schemes. Criminals use the app to promote investment schemes, luring users with the promise of high returns. We speak to one man caught out.As Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions expand, we look at the support in place for workers.And it’s already estimated that nearly two million people who were not in financial difficulty before the pandemic are now struggling to pay all of their bills. Could a 'temporary' debt payment plan help them through the worst of the crisis?Presenter: Paul Lewis Researcher: Darin Graham Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Richard Vadon

If you’re under 30 and struggling to be noticed by employers our panel are ready to help. Find out which industries are hiring, how to handle CV gaps and what to focus on when you get an interview. Email questions and tips to: [email protected] or tweet us @moneyboxPanel: Lauren Mistry, Operations Director at Youth Employment UK John McCourt, Careers adviser with Skills Development Scotland Emlyn Evans, Adviser with Career WalesPresenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Richard Vadon

Money Box has learnt that thousands of people with the right to work in the UK have not been able to access a National Insurance number. Without one they may not be able to work, open a high street bank account or claim benefits.The Bank of England has written to lenders to find out whether they are ready for a zero or even a negative Bank Rate. How likely is it and what will that mean for our savings, mortgages, and other debts? And the life insurance policy that wouldn’t pay out when a terminally ill man needed the help. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Buying your first home has always been a challenge, but amid the madness of 2020 it could be harder than ever. Adam Shaw and a panel of guests answer calls from would-be first-time buyers, from the actor just starting to think about getting on the property ladder, to the social worker wondering whether shared ownership is the answer, and the dad who's seen his dream home slip away as lenders demand larger deposits. If you've a question or a story to share, do email us on [email protected] or you can Tweet us @moneybox.Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton & Darin Graham Editor: Emma Rippon

People who let out property using Airbnb have been warned this week that the firm will send HMRC the details of their earnings going back to 2017. It may mean that some hosts will receive surprise tax bills.Thousands of people who invested in a mini-bond sold by a firm called Wellesley face an impossible choice next week. They must decide if they want the company to go into administration and lose everything, or vote for what is called a Company Voluntary Arrangement and lose nearly everything.When your vehicle is damaged and it is another driver’s fault it's pretty standard practice for their insurer, not yours, to sort out the repairs to your car but it has emerged that it can leave you without a right to complain or get redress when things go wrong. We speak to the MP calling for change.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Renters could be at risk of losing their homes because of changes to the eviction ban that was brought in to protect tenants during the coronavirus pandemic. It's estimated that landlords have lost millions in rent since lockdown hit in March.What financial support and help is available and what are the different rules for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?Louise Cooper is joined by Anny Cullum from Acorn Communities, Meera Chindooroy from the National Residential Landlords Association and Giles Peaker, a housing lawyer from Anthony Gold Solicitors.We'd love to hear your questions about renting, tenancies and evictions. E-mail [email protected] or tweet @moneybox.Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Darin Graham Editor: Emma Rippon

The costly experience of being unknowingly signed up to a phone competition service. We hear how one subscription cost a Money Box listener over £1,000 across 5 years.A new Sharia compliant investment fund has been launched on the London Stock Exchange. How does it work?Edinburgh - Scotland's wealthiest city - launches a plan to get rid of poverty by 2030.And hints and tips for making difficult financial decisions.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Darin Graham Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) say that 6 million policy holders are paying too much for their insurance premiums and that radical reforms could save consumers £3.7bn over 10 years. So how do you get the right policy at a fair price? Joining Paul Lewis to answer your questions and offer advice are:Louise O'Shea, Confused.com Graeme Trudgill, British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA)We'd love to hear your questions and ideas about personal insurance, e-mail [email protected] now and tweet @moneybox we'll include as many as we can in the programme.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

This week the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, revealed new measures to help stop mass job cuts in these economically uncertain times. This latest plan - the Job Support Scheme - was spurred on by the ending of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (or furlough). From November, if bosses bring back workers part time, the government will help top up their wages. But there are concerns that it does nothing to assist the millions who have already missed out on government help.We also discuss whether it's worth buying a warranty on a second-hand car. One man spent £400 but was told it did not cover a £2000 repair. As businesses struggle in the Covid-19 era are they exploiting young workers by getting them to do job trials but refusing to pay them? And in the podcast the one subject that has dominated emails to [email protected] in recent months... how to get your money back for a cancelled flight, holiday, wedding, concert, football ticket, you name it. We reveal the answer.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Darin Graham Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

What financial support and guidance is available for serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their families? Joining presenter Charmaine Cozier to talk through some of the information, help and advice on offer are:Forces MoneyPlan The Royal British Legion The Forces Pension Society SSAFA – the Armed Forces charityIf you’re a serving or former member of the Armed Forces we’d love to hear your money questions and experiences e-mail [email protected] or tweet @moneybox.Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Thousands of British people living in European countries have been told their UK bank accounts will be closed by the end of the year because of Brexit. Money Box has learnt that Lloyds Bank and Barclaycard have been writing to customers telling them to cut up their cards and pay off any outstanding overdrafts or debts in two months unless they can provide a UK address where they are resident. Buy now, pay later - the slogan of easy credit for generations but now it's being offered routinely in shops and online whenever you buy anything. The regulator is launching a review.A ban on evictions for residential tenants ends in England and Wales this weekend. We hear from tenants and landlords.And - in the podcast - what to do if you've ever been charged to keep hold of an old email address when you've changed broadband provider to get your money back.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Darin Graham Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Richard Vadon

Tuition fees, loans, student jobs and financial help, whatever’s on your mind we’d love to hear your questions, dilemmas and advice so e-mail [email protected] now.Ready to guide you through university costs, student money and work will be:Tom Allingham, Save the Student. Eden Cairnie, StudentJob. Judith McMeekin, Student Money Adviser, Ulster University. Kellie McAlonan, Student Money Adviser, University of the West of Scotland.Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Richard Vadon

With fewer jobs and rising unemployment among young people Money Box has seen worrying evidence that the illegal practice of not paying interns is growing. Thousands of young people are locked out of their Government child trust funds even though they have reached 18. And would you invest in a bond backed by your local council?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Darin Graham Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

If you’ve replaced the buzz of the office with working at the kitchen table we’d love to hear how it's going. Have your work-life balance, your finances, career and productivity been affected? Does it make a difference to team working if you don't meet your colleagues face to face? What responsibilities do employers and employees need to consider and is working from home the future, or are you desperate to get back to the office? What happens if you’re asked to return to your place of work but you’d like more flexibility?Joining presenter Felicity Hannah to talk it over and discuss this changing world of work are:Alison Loveday, Employment Partner, Kennedys Law Louise Goss, Founder and Editor, thehomeworker.com David D'Souza, The Chartered Institute of Personnel and DevelopmentTo join the debate e-mail [email protected] or tweet @moneybox now with your questions, views and ideas.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

From this month, young people turning 18 can access money given them by the Government in a Child Trust Fund. All children born from September 2002 were given vouchers to invest, the idea being to provide children with some savings at the age of 18, to help with the costs of university or living alone for the first time. Initially £250 was put into the account and another £250 was added when he or she reached the age of seven. For lower-income families, the payment was £500. But it's estimated about a third of eligible young people and their families have no idea these funds exist. So how do you go about finding them?The financial regulator is currently consulting on limiting the amount it has to pay out when it fails to operate effectively. Campaigners are concerned it is weakening the current consumer redress.More than two and a half million people have successfully claimed almost £8 billion from the UK government’s Self Employment Income Support Scheme. The scheme was designed to help self employed people whose businesses had suffered because of the economic crisis caused by Covid 19.. We hear from one man who found someone else had claimed his self-employment Government grant - twice!And in our podcast we get a leaseholders response to the news that four of the UK's largest housebuilders are now facing court action after "troubling evidence" was uncovered by the Competition and Markets Authority over the way they sold leaseholds.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher Darin Graham Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

If your holiday plans are affected by coronavirus, what are your rights? Chaos caused by the pandemic has left travellers with many questions - about insurance, refunds and whether they can get away at all. Holidaying in a pandemic isn’t easy but sometimes cancelling isn't either. Our panel of travel experts is ready to answer your Covid-related questions. Email [email protected] or tweet @moneyboxGuests: Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel Jill Starley-Grainger, Travel blogger from JetSet Journeys Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Hugh Levinson

From now, the over 75s will have to start paying for their TV licences. We speak to the BBC’s Director, Policy Clare Sumner about what the BBC is doing about the 1m pensioners who will receive demands for payment but should be exempt.In his summer statement, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak promised a bonus for employers who hire apprentices over the next six months because “We know apprenticeships work”. But the latest Ofsted figures show that 42% of apprenticeships inspected in England are either inadequate or require improvement - and that they are struggling to inspect at all due to lack of resources. Money Box speaks to the Skills Minister Gllian Keegan MP.And the debt collection firm that is demanding money from people who don’t owe it. What to do if it happens to you.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Kafui Okpattah Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon + Ravin Sampat

Fake emails, bogus calls, spoof texts: Fraudsters are exploiting the pandemic to fleece as many unwitting victims as they can. So how to spot a scam and keep your money safe? Join Felicity Hannah and a panel of experts offering top tips to avoid being scammed. Share your experiences by emailing [email protected] or tweet @moneybox Guests: Katy Worobec, Managing Director, Economic Crime, UK Finance Detective Sergeant Marc Cananur, Kent Police Richard Emery, bank fraud consultant, 4Keys InternationalProducer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Emma Rippon

During the health pandemic a fraud epidemic has been growing. The latest official crime survey found fraud accounts for a third of all crime in England and Wales. It costs the UK economy tens of billions of pounds and very often individuals many thousands of pounds. But the cost is much more than just financial. It can be emotionally and mentally devastating. Money Box has been given access to a rare recording of fraud in progress. An expert assesses what made it so believable and one of the most senior fraud investigators in the UK tells us what he's doing about this kind of financial crime.Also on the programme, the car finance customers stuck with a vehicle they cannot use and no longer own but they still have to tax and insure it. As government advice changes and people are asked to go back to work, many childcare providers remain closed. So do employers need to make any allowances?And in the podcast, will house prices go up or fall - a listener asks should he buy now or wait? Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Lizzy McNeil Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

If you're claiming benefits for the first time because of coronavirus, what’s your experience? Millions of people who have lost their jobs or their income since lockdown, are having to apply for Universal Credit for the first time to help meet basic living costs. But how much do you get and how long before the money comes through? Join Paul Lewis and a panel of benefits experts offering advice on how to claim, what you might get and how to avoid pitfalls. Email your questions and stories to [email protected] or tweet @moneyboxGuests: Anna Stevenson, Welfare benefits expert, Turn2Us Will Hadwen, Working Families Gary Martin, Welfare benefits specialist at Brixton Advice Centre Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Emma Rippon

The organisation charged by the government to provide debt advice says it expects the number of people in financial difficulties to soar by 60% as the economic crisis begins to hit home. By late 2021 it expects that eight million people will have not been able to pay at least three bills in a six month period. And there are growing concerns that people with severe debt are being exploited by firms selling Individual Voluntary Agreements - a formal debt solution to pay back debts - which the firms make money from.Saving, if you can afford it. With interest rates at record lows, what is the motivation to save? Some community schemes think they have the answer.And Ofcom say it's concerned 'some customers are not being treated fairly' when it comes to being charged for keeping email addresses after switching provider - available to listen to in our podcast edition.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Lizzy McNeil Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Schools partially closed, nurseries struggling to reopen, grandparents shielding, childminders grappling with social distancing and a lack of au pairs because of travel restrictions. Arguably the UK faces a childcare crisis. At the same time, lockdown is being lifted, the Job Retention Scheme is being wound down, and the government is urging us all back to work to rebuild our shattered economy. But how can parents work without affordable, quality childcare? And how can childcare providers deliver if they don't have the cash coming in? What help is available if you’re income’s dried up, but you still have fees to pay or overheads to settle? Louise Cooper and a panel of experts are here to answer your childcare questions. Email [email protected] or tweet @moneyboxGuests: Purnima Tanuku, CEO, National Day Nurseries Association Will Hadwen, Benefits adviser from Working Families Megan Jarvie, Head of Family and Childcare at CoramProducer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Emma Rippon

As quarantine is lifted and airports get ready for summer flights, are some airlines taking advantage of people who are being offered the opportunity to rebook their flights?Earlier this week Chancellor Rishi Sunak outlined how he planned to get the economy up and running again following the harm done by coronavirus. Front and centre was a £2bn "kick-start' scheme to create more jobs for young people. But does it go far enough? Poppy and Ataysha - two young people who could be helped - tell us what they think. With Sam Windett, Chair of the Youth Employment Group. There were also big announcements on the coronavirus job retention scheme with £1000 promised for every person firms bring back to work after being put on furlough. But we hear about the furlough scheme sums that were just too tricky for one employment agency. With Lucy McLynn, Partner and Head of Employment at BatesWells. Plus stampduty, VAT and eating out.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Lizzy McNeill Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Online lectures yet full tuition fees; socialising at a distance and virtual fresher's events - all because of the pandemic. So is it financially worthwhile going to uni this year, if you won't be getting the university experience you’d hoped for or dreamed of? How valuable is a degree for your future earnings? Is it better to do an apprenticeship, to earn as you learn? Or ditch higher education altogether and dive into the uncertain jobs market? We'll be taking questions and hearing the dilemmas of school leavers across the across the UK as they decide what to do next.Join Adam Shaw and a panel of guests - and share your views and experiences. Email [email protected] or tweet @moneyboxGuests: Dr Maria Neophytou, acting CEO of Impetus Paul Johnson, Director, Institute for Fiscal Studies Sophie Graham, a National Careers adviserProducer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Emma Rippon

Just days after a damning House of Lords report, Money Box can reveal that loot boxes in some games aimed at children have win rates of as little as 0.01%. Experts are worried this could get children hooked on gambling.The courts have ordered changes in the way income is calculated which will mean more money for thousands of people on Universal Credit. And we hear from one listener who got his money back for a cancelled holiday through his debit card but now the company is trying to take it back. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Daniel Whitworth Researcher: Lizzy McNeill Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

The government-backed loans designed to give small firms quick and easy access to cash during the coronavirus crisis. If you've applied for one, what's your experience? Has it saved your business from collapse? Many listeners have contacted us, angry and frustrated at the time it's taking to get the loans approved. For some, time is running out. Without income, how can they pay the bills, never mind adapt to the new phase of lockdown? Unless they get this emergency cash, they're worried they won't survive. Money Box Live wants to hear your questions, stories and successes. Email [email protected] or tweet @moneybox Guests: Stephen Pegge, Managing Director of Commercial Finance, UK Finance Craig Beaumont, Chief of External Affairs, Federation of Small Businesses Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Emma Rippon

Listeners whose holidays have been cancelled are telling us that they are having to pay to get their money back off their credit card. With Helen Saxon, Banking Editor at MoneySavingExpert.Thousands of parents are using lockdown as an excuse not to pay maintenance for their children. Single parent charity Gingerbread say that Covid-19 is making things worse and that the official service that should make them pay is not checking what they say. The face masks that cost $10 to buy but $109 to deliver - and still don’t arrive. The dangers of believing ads on Instagram and social media.Presenter: Paul Lewis Researcher: Lizzy McNeil Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Are you worried you’re about to lose your job because of the coronavirus crisis? Has the job retention scheme kept you afloat since lockdown – but now your boss wants to let you go? If you’re facing redundancy, it's important to know your rights. How many days’ notice should you get and how much pay? If you're an employer, do you understand your obligations if you have to reduce your workforce? Millions of workers are at risk of redundancy in the coming months as the government furlough scheme starts to be phased out from August. So now is the time to get your redundancy queries answered. Paul Lewis and a panel of experts are here with knowledge and advice. Email your questions to [email protected] Guests: Merrill April, Partner at CM Murray, specialist employment lawyers Susan Raftery, Senior adviser at Acas, the conciliation and advice service for employees and employers Minesh Patel, Welfare policy manager, Citizens AdviceProducer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Emma Rippon

There's been a sharp rise in the number of people whose identity was stolen last year - up by almost 20% on the year before. It can have a devastating effect on your financial life. One listener tells us how it took months to restore her good name and cost her £10,000. Young people are inevitably hit badly by a major financial crisis like the one we are living through. Figures out this week show that the number of young unemployed people is growing by more than 4000 every single day. One charity has told the BBC Three reporter Harvey Day that the number of people in their twenties applying for emergency help has soared.And can National Savings and Investments keep up with the demands of being at the top of the best buy tables?Email [email protected] Paul Lewis Researcher: Lizzy McNeil Producers: Alex Lewis and Paul Waters Editor: Emma Rippon

What’s the best way to get fast, reliable and affordable broadband during lockdown? With millions of us now working from home due to Covid-19, and children relying on the internet for online schooling, decent broadband is more important than ever. So how to be sure you're getting the right deal? What offers are available? How easy is it to move to a new provider - and what can you do if your current deal is about to end and you can't get through to your provider? We'll also have top tips on how to make the most of your existing broadband. Our panel of experts is ready to answer your questions and offer their advice.Email us with your broadband woes and wins: [email protected] Guests: Adam French, Senior Consumer Rights Editor at Which? Selina Chadha, Director of Consumer Policy at OfcomProducer: Sally AbrahamsEditor: Emma Rippon

Money Box listeners tell us that their requests for refunds on their motor insurance are being refused despite using their cars less during lockdown. The regulator has recently called on firms to review the value of their policies in light of the lockdown but critics say they let car insurers 'off the hook'.Google is still allowing crooks to advertise dodgy investments and websites, despite telling this programme earlier in the year it was working with the Financial Conduct Authority to offer consumers better protection. We hear from one woman who had almost £30,000 stolen after clicking on a paid for advert that fraudsters had placed.And this week we learnt that the UK economy had shrunk by a fifth in a month - an unheard of decline - showing the difficulties that many firms are experiencing. More than a million have been kept afloat by the Coronavirus job retention scheme. From August all firms will have to start paying towards the costs of furloughing staff. How will they cope and what rights do furloughed employees have if they are facing redundancy?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Lizzy McNeil Producers: Alex Lewis and Charmaine Cozier Editor: Emma Rippon

Adam Shaw and guests discuss how you can make a return on your money in turbulent economic times. With saving rates low and stock markets volatile what should your strategy be, even if you only have a small amount to invest?Panel: Anna Bowes, co-founder of Savings Champion Felix Milton, financial planner at Philip J MiltonEmail your questions to [email protected]: Ben Carter Editor: Emma Rippon

Key workers who are returning to the NHS to help it cope during the coronavirus pandemic are being targeted by promoters of tax avoidance schemes, a Money Box investigation has found.Adverts posted on social media are designed to push key workers towards umbrella companies operating on the fringes of the law which, alongside standard ones, act as employers for freelance contractors.Posing as a health care worker, our reporter was told how she could legally hide a large chunk of salary from the taxman saving thousands of pounds. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning people not to sign up to what it describes as these "unscrupulous companies", saying some people could end up with large, unexpected tax bills.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Anna Meisel Editor: Emma Rippon

There are nearly three million single parent families in the UK, which is 15% of all families. Their finances are often tight and they face a particularly high risk of poverty compared with other households.Louise Cooper and guests talk to single parents about the financial challenges brought about by coronavirus and we have experts on hand to offer advice and answer questions.Panel:Victoria Benson, CEO of Gingerbread, the charity for single parent families. Lee Healey, founder of Income Max, an organisation that helps maximise family incomes through a service that guides access to unclaimed benefitsEmail your experiences and questions to [email protected]: Louise Cooper Producers: Ben Carter and Eleanor Layhe Editor: Emma Rippon

Over 2 million people have received a grant from the government’s self-employment income support scheme. This week Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that it will be extended to pay out another lump sum worth 70% of average monthly trading profits, capped at £6,570. Guest: Andy Chamberlain, Director of Policy for the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed.It's been more than a month since a ban on using credit cards as a source of funds for gambling came into force. Reporter Dan Whitworth unearths a major loophole in those rules. Guest: Carolyn Harris MP and Chair of the all-party parliamentary group on gambling related harm.University students applying for maintenance loans who have experienced household loss of income of 15 percent or more, due to coronavirus, could be eligible for a higher amount. Guest: Tom Allingham from Save the StudentPresenter Paul Lewis Reporter Dan Whitworth Producer Charmaine Cozier Editor Richard Vadon

A quarter of British employees have been furloughed since the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement in March. Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme workers are entitled to receive 80% of their pay up to a maximum of £2500 a month but they’re not allowed to do any work for their employer while on furlough. Earlier this month the scheme was extended until October - but from August the government will expect employers to contribute to the huge ongoing costs - estimated at between £10-£15 billion a month.Furloughing is working well for the majority of people but it is causing a number of different problems for some - both employees and employers. Paul and guests talk to some of them.Panel: Susie Al-Qassab, employment partner at Hodge, Jones and Allen Sarah Chilton, employment partner at CM Murray Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Ben Carter Editor: Ravin Sampat

Festival goers are trying to get their money back from the organisers of Afro Nation but are being told that Portuguese law means they’re not entitled to a refund – what can they do? Lenders are cutting credit card limits and that could affect your credit rating... but not in the way you might think. Former pensions minister Steve Webb tells us that tens of thousands of older married women pensioners are being paid up to £80 a week too little - how do you go about seeing if you're missing out and how can you claim if you are? Mortgage repayment holidays have helped ease the finances of millions of struggling home owners during coronavirus but how much will the delay in paying cost in the long run?Check out if you are owed pension money here https://www.lcp.uk.com/is-your-state-pension-being-underpaid/Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Ben Carter Reporters: Felicity Hannah and Kafui Okpattah Editor: Emma Rippon

Your questions on the challenges of getting and holding on to a mortgage or re-mortgage during coronavirus. How does being furloughed affect your prospects? Are some job sectors now less desirable to mortgage providers? What if pandemic-related delays in conveyancing are pushing you close to the expiry of your existing mortgage offer? Should fears of a market dip make you reconsider and sit tight where you are - or is it time to reduce your offer? Why are interest rates rising for some types of mortgages and falling for others? We hear what's happening in the mortgage and re-mortgage market from experts Jane King, independent mortgage advisor with Ash Ridge Private Finance - and from Martin Stewart, director of the independent mortgage broker, London Money. Email Money Box [email protected]: Louise Cooper Producer: Paul Waters

Money Box has been hearing from furloughed workers who say their employers are abusing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. It allows staff to be put on leave while the government pays 80 per cent of their wages up to £2500 a month. One worker says he’s being forced to keep working and another says she’s been furloughed but isn’t being paid. Guest Sarah Chilton, partner with employment law specialists CM MurrayWe hear from Endija who bought her two-bedroom home after viewing it through a virtual tour. Guest Mark Hayward, chief executive of the National Association of Estate AgentsAnd the programme looks at the latest measures to help insurance customers with financial difficulties caused by coronavirus. Email [email protected] with any questions for the programme.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Reporter: Dan Whitworth Editor: Emma Rippon

Felicity Hannah and guests talk to young entrepreneurs who've started businesses during the lockdown. She'll hear about the successes and challenges they encountered along the way. Guests:Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation Zara Khalique, creator of Keep It BrightEmail [email protected] or tweet @Moneybox with stories, experiences or questions for the panel.Producer: Ben Carter Editor: Emma Rippon

Pandemic-related salary cuts and being furloughed could affect your ability to get a mortgage. What will mortgage providers take into account - your previous normal salary or your 80% rate? And will job types in sectors hit badly by the coronavirus now be deemed less desirable by lenders? We hear your stories and get advice from Martin Stewart, Director of the independent mortgage broker, London Money.Millions of self-employed workers are being offered help through the government's new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS). But Money Box listeners say they've experienced problems with the SEISS online checker and complain they've been wrongly rejected. We discover what's going on with the scheme and hear from the chief executive of HMRC, Jim Harra - the man in charge.Many of us are being forced to work from home during the pandemic and that can means extra costs for the employee. We find out from Heather Self, Tax Director at Blick Rothenberg, how your employer can offset your extra costs and what you can claim against tax.Good news for some Virgin Money customers who had their credit cards frozen this week and there's a cancelled holiday chargeback success story in the Money Box podcast.Email [email protected] or tweet @Moneybox with any personal finance questions or queries.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Paul Waters Editor: Emma Rippon Reporter: Ben Carter

Graduates and young workers face huge challenges getting and staying in a job as coronavirus changes the employment picture. Louise Cooper discusses the consequences and solutions.Guests: Laura Gardiner, Research Director at the Resolution Foundation Michele Farmer, Regional Director at the Prince's TrustEmail questions and experiences to [email protected]: Kafui Okpattah Producer: Ben Carter Editor: Emma Rippon

On this week’s Money Box we hear from people who’ve been furloughed by their employer but are being pressured into working anyway - something very much against the rules of the Job Retention Scheme. And can an employer force those people still working to take a pay cut? Paul talks through the legal implications with Susie Al-Qassab, partner at Hodge, Jones and Allen Solicitors.As the consumer watchdog threatens legal action against companies refusing to refund customers during the coronavirus pandemic, we hear about the struggles some listeners have been having with various companies. Gary Rycroft, partner at Joseph A Jones Solicitors, and consumer rights champion Helen Dewdney from The Complaining Cow website talk through the issues.And we have exclusive figures from the National Gambling Helpline about a sharp drop in callers and how it’s worried about what that might mean for 100,000s of problem gamblers during lockdown. Paul talks to one of the problem gamblers affected and speaks to Anna Hemmings, CEO at Gamcare.Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Ben Carter Editor: Emma Rippon