Money Box

Tens of thousands of people are using two new apps which let them access their wages as they earn them. With no more waiting around for monthly pay days is this new tech helping people’s financial health or putting them at more risk of going into debt?Some of the people who lost money with the collapsed investment firm London Capital and Finance have been given a glimmer of hope they may be eligible for compensation. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme says some people may have been given advice about investing which would mean they could make a claim to get some, or all, of their money back. We hear the latest from the administrators and those who could benefit and those who are worried they might miss out.Counting down to the end of a five year loan agreement, one small business couldn’t wait to make the last payment. But the owners didn’t read the small print. It said they needed to give three month’s notice before they could stop paying the loan. We speak to a contract law specialist to see what people should do to avoid any similar nasty surprises.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Louise Cooper and guests look at the volatile world of investing in digital currencies. Call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 26 June or e-mail [email protected] now with your experiences and questions.Joining Louise are:Marc Warne, Founder, Bittylicious Jemima Kelly, reporter, FT Alphaville Dave Jevans, CEO, CipherTraceProducer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Complaints about the loans used to buy cars have trebled in three years - 50% up in the last year alone. A million new cars were sold to individuals in 2018 - more than nine out of ten on finance. We borrowed £45 billion to buy new and used cars last year. The size and growth of this finance has caused the Bank of England to express concerns and in November the Financial Conduct Authority was so worried it published new rules about how that credit was sold. We look at how well our ability to repay is being assessed.Small businesses and the self-employed who pay VAT will have to make big changes to how the submit their information to HMRC over the next few months. It's all part of Making Tax Digital where quarterly figures must be submitted using approved software rather than just entering them manually on the HMRC website. Some large firms who already make accountancy packages are telling customers they must sign up for new and often expensive upgrades but do they really need to?Nearly seven in ten people seeking advice were advised to transfer out of their guaranteed final salary pension and invest the money into a riskier pension fund. That's according to data released by the Financial Conduct Authority this week, collected over the last three and a half years. It says for most people that is bad advice - is it time for stricter controls on pensions transfers?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Childcare in the UK is amongst the most expensive in the world – and prices keep rising. For some families, nursery fees cost more than the monthly mortgage. Whether you are looking at nurseries or childminders for your pre-school children what financial help is available to reduce costs? What is tax-free childcare and how does it work? Who is eligible for 15 or 30 hours’ free childcare a week – and what help can you get to pay for childcare if you’re on Universal Credit? We'll explore the options available to parents wanting to give their child the best start in life.Adam Shaw and a panel of guests will be taking your calls, emails and tweets. Do get in touch. Call 03700 100 444 – lines open at 1300 on Wednesday 19 June; email [email protected] or tweet @moneyboxGuests: Megan Jarvie, Head of Coram Family and Childcare Charlotte McDonough, UK Policy advisor, Save the Children Neil Hill, Money expert, Money Advice Service Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Sally Abrahams

An inquiry has been launched into the potential mis-selling of leasehold properties. The Competition and Market Authority are aiming to shed light on potential misleading practice and unfair terms to better protect people buying a home in the future. What difference could it make to the lives of many whose homes have become unsellable?We speak to some of the British Steel workers persuaded to transfer out of their final salary pension schemes by rogue advisers. This week the Financial Conduct Authority visited Port Talbot to answer some of their questions. Earlier this month, the Equity Income Fund run by fund manager Neil Woodford suspended withdrawals by its investors. We hear from a listener whose money became trapped in the fund despite requesting a withdrawal more than 72 hours before the fund was frozen.And after the BBC announced this week that many over-75's would have to start paying for their licence fee, we find out who will still be able to get it free.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

For years we've rented carpet cleaners or hired a dinner jacket for a wedding. But now we're beginning to rent all sorts of other things too. Furniture., toys, even outfits for a work do. Money Box Live looks at the increasingly popular option of renting stuff rather than owning it. What can you borrow and what the pros and cons of doing so? We visit the Library of Things in south London where you can rent a tent, a waffle maker or even a ukulele. Will borrowing not buying help save the planet? Guests: Emily Gordon-Smith Director of Consumer Products at Stylus Martyn James, Consumer rights expert at ResolverPresenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Sally Abrahams

Millions of people need financial advice but don't get it according to a damning report out this week. It's called the 'advice gap' and includes people who need advice about investment or pensions but can't afford professional advice and people who need free advice on a variety of money matters but don't know where to get it. We discuss how to make financial advice more accessible to everyone.Banks have until April next year to implement major changes on overdraft charges. The fees from overdrafts bring in nearly two and a half billion pounds a year and they are mainly paid by a small number of customers who are in debt or vulnerable. The Financial Conduct Authority say it will be the biggest shakeup of overdraft fees in a generation, others aren't so impressed.Over 9000 students in higher education are estranged from their families, without the safety net of the bank of Mum or Dad if things go wrong. Estrangement charity Stand Alone has found that financial and other pressures mean they're three times more likely to drop out before their course finishes than other students. The Scottish Government have launched a brand new benefit for low income families. We found out how it works.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Credit unions are financial not-for-profit co-operatives run by their members which offer a range of saving accounts and loans. Around 2 million people in the UK belong to one. In order to join people must have something in common with other members such as living or working in the same area or having the same occupation. The work that credit unions do with those who are excluded from mainstream financial services has led to the perception that they are a "poor man's bank" but this isn't the whole story. Paul Lewis talks to Robert Kelly, Chief Executive of the Association of British Credit Unions, and Dr Paul A. Jones, Head of the Research Unit for Financial Inclusion at Liverpool John Moores University, about how credit unions are adapting in the age of fast digital bankingWith contributions from Teresa Manning, Chief Executive of Clockwise Credit Union and Professor Sharon Collard Research Director of the Personal Finance Research Centre at the University of Bristol. If you have a credit union related question for the panel you can call 03700 100 444 after 1pm on Wednesday 5th June or email [email protected] geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Emma Rippon

Letting agencies can no longer charge tenants fees when they rent a property. They've already been banned in Scotland and now England is following suit. They can be pretty hefty - for example £500 for a credit check, £200 to check out of the property. These fees account for £700m a year and account for a fifth of agencies turnover. So is this a win win for tenants or will the ban have unintended consequences?When it comes to elderly or vulnerable loved ones, family and friends often rely on other people to help manage their day to day lives, including going shopping, paying bills, helping them look after their money. Many elderly people fall victim to financial abuse. We speak to Action on Elder Abuse about what you can do to try to stop this from happening. And this week a major change began which should mean that victims of bank fraud are reimbursed for their losses in almost every case. But it only applies to frauds committed from last Tuesday, May 28th. So what can be done about the estimated £1bn of money people have had stolen before this code was introduced? Plus we find out more about TSB's 'fraud guarantee'.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editors: Richard Knight + Richard Vadon

Music streaming is big business. But how do the various providers differ and how do their payment models work - for consumers and musicians? We'll hear from grime artist Chiedu Oraka, Alice Enders from Enders Analysis and from Chris Cooke who is head of Music at CMU Insights, a music business consultancy.If you have a question for the panel or want to share your experience call us on 03700 100 444 between 1pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday 29nd May. (Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.) Or send an email before then to [email protected]: Louise Cooper Producer: Paul Waters

New safeguards for victims of bank fraud come into effect from Tuesday. Over 350 million pounds was stolen from accounts last year through what's called Authorised Push Payment Fraud - that happens when a person is tricked into transferring money into a fraudster's account. Often the banks have refused to refund victims but now they will have to.Figures released this week by StepChange - one of the UK's largest debt charities - show a big rise in the amount of debt relief orders in England and Wales. But what is a debt relief order and why are they at a four year high?Researchers at Newcastle University have found that a ban on online borrowing between 11pm and 7am could protect consumers and are calling for the introduction of 'credit curfews'.And when a Money Box listener's partner died suddenly just days after they had taken delivery of a new car she could no longer afford the repayments. But the finance company initially told her it would cost tens of thousands of pounds to get out of the contract. We speak car finance with a consumer contract lawyer.Presenter: Adam Shaw Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Crowdfunding involves asking a lot of people for typically small amounts of money. It's done online as a way of financing businesses, individuals, charities or the development of ideas. There are different ways to do it including making a donation, giving money in return for shares in a business, providing a loan or receiving a reward linked to the fundraising project in return for your cash.Joining Adam Shaw to discuss the rules, risks and potential rewards of crowdfunding are Gerald Oppenheim Chief Executive for the Fundraising Regulator, Jes Bailey Founder and Consultant with Crowdfund 360 and Bruce Davis, Director of the UK Crowdfunding Association and also Co-Founder and Joint Managing Director at Abundance Investment.If you have a question for the panel or want to share your experience of crowdfunding as a donor or as a fundraiser call 03700 100 444 after 1pm on Wednesday 22nd May or send an email before then to [email protected] Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Emma Rippon

At least two million people suffer domestic abuse in the UK each year. But domestic abuse is not always just physical. Taking control of a partner's money - financial abuse - is often part of controlling someone. This week a new advice service has been launched aimed at people who work in banks and building societies to help them spot the signs of economic abuse among their customers and encourage them to offer practical help when they do.Metro Bank is pronounced 'safe' by the Bank of England. But what would happen to customers if another bank did go bust? Some businesses have been trying out shortening the working week from the five days which most full timers work to four but with no loss of pay. Could this leave workers feeling less stressed, more productive and striking a better work/life balance? Or would it pile more pressure onto an already stressed workforce?And what to do if you're pursued for a debt that is not yours.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Looking for and finding a job following a long career break can be difficult and demoralising. There are various reasons for extended career breaks including redundancy, divorce or family commitments. What help is available for returners and how can employers do more to recruit them?Adam Shaw and a panel of guests are ready to hear your questions and experiences and provide practical help. Email [email protected] or call 03700 100 444 after 1pm on Wednesday 15th May. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.Guests: Emily Andrews, Senior Evidence Manager at the Centre for Ageing Better, Stephanie Dillon, Founder of Inclusivity Partners and Sarah Chilton, Partner with specialist employment lawyers CM Murray. Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Andrew Smith

Ben Wallace MP, Minister for Economic Fraud responds to criticism from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary about whether the government is "content to leave fraud at the back of the queue" given what damage it can do.Dan Whitworth reports on a significant development for the former clients of collapsed mini-bond firm London Capital and Finance. And the launch of a pilot scheme to tackle rent arrears and keep people away from high cost credit by allowing them to flex their monthly rent payments.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

The latest news from the world of personal finance plus advice for those trying to make the most of their money.

Free cash machines are disappearing across the UK at an 'alarming' rate according to Which? Two of the major private operators, Cardtronics and Notemachine, have introduced charges for nearly 1700 of their ATMS in the last few months, with more following soon. It's predicted that one in eight machines could soon charge us to take out our money. We hear from Tim Halford, managing director of Cardtronics who defends the charges.Ofgem have scrapped a rule meaning energy suppliers must give customers 30 days notice of a price increase. Anthony Pygram Director of Conduct and Enforcement for the regulator tells us why. And it's taken listener Alex Luke two and a half years to get her bank to repay all of the £180,000 stolen from her bank account by fraudsters three Christmases ago. We hear how she did it.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor Emma RipponPhoto credit: Nidderdale Chamber of Trade

When you invest money do you care what it is used for? Would you avoid so called 'sin stocks' like tobacco, alcohol or gambling? Increasing numbers of people want to make sure their money is doing good - or at least as little harm as possible. But can you get a decent return from ethical investments? Paul Lewis and a panel of guests are taking your calls and queries about ethical investing. Guests: Lisa Stonestreet, Head of Communications at the EIRIS Foundation Tanya Pein, independent financial adviser at In2 Planning and a Director of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association Peter Michaelis, Head of Sustainable Investment, Liontrust Asset Management Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Sally Abrahams

Tens of thousands of low paid workers will face losing a week's pay or more because the firm that employs them is changing its payroll system. The pay is, in theory, just being deferred. But in practice that deferral could last until they leave their job. What will this mean for its lowest paid staff?This week a committee of MP’s heard evidence that the practice refusing to rent to people on benefits is widespread. The housing charity Shelter is calling for it to be banned but letting agents don't think this is the answer.The long term winners and losers on Universal Credit and air source heat pumps - the Government pays you to generate your own green energy so why are they so rare?Presenter : Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

As climate change protests continue, how can consumers cut carbon emissions and keep energy bills affordable? Can you be eco-friendly and stay within budget? What are the best green deals available? Share your tips for being more energy-efficient. Adam Shaw and a panel of guests are ready to hear your renewable energy questions and experiences. Email [email protected] or call 03700 100 444 after 1pm on Wednesday 24 April. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.Guests: Audrey Gallagher, Energy UK Mark Todd, energyhelpline.com Peter Smith, National Energy ActionPresenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Sally Abrahams

Criminals fraudulently stole £1.2 billion last year from our bank accounts according to the industry body UK Finance.But that’s just the tip of the iceberg - the true scale of financial fraud is hard to put a figure on. As many as four out of five people who have been stung don't report it.Fraud is an epidemic that’s seemingly out of control. In this programme, Iona Bain asks why do we fall for fraudsters? How do they manage to dupe us into hitting the transfer button on fraudulent transactions worth thousands of pounds? Can understanding this give us more of a fighting chance against them? And what’s the role of technology in all of this - both as a catalyst and as a possible cure?Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Almost 8 million people live alone in the UK and numbers are rising. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show it's more expensive to be single, so what are the financial penalties if you're not a couple? Inevitably, household expenses are more costly when you're not sharing rent or mortgage payments, energy or water bills. But outside the home, there are many ways that singletons pay a premium - whether it's more expensive holidays, hotel rooms, train fares, car insurance or even theatre tickets. On Money Box Live, we want to hear how you can cut the costs of being single. Apart from the 25% council tax discount, where else are singletons given a price reduction? And, with the number of one-person households expected to reach more than 10 million by 2039, should the government consider new policies to ease the financial burden?Share your views and experiences with Louise Cooper and guests. Email [email protected] or call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 17 April. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.Guests: Professor Donald Hirsch, Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University Kara Gammell, personal finance journalistPresenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Sally Abrahams

The Financial Conduct Authority has warned parts of the general insurance industry that it "will not hesitate to intervene" in situations where firms fail to meet their obligations to customers. A report by the financial regulator examined short-term travel including coach trips, tradesman, GAP and motor ancillary insurance. It found some customers were sold inappropriate products, charged excessive prices or received poor service. Guests: Jonathan Davidson, Executive Director of Retail Supervision at the Financial Conduct Authority and Huw Evans, Director General of the Association of British Insurers.Money Box listener Lola reveals how thieves tricked her caller ID into displaying her bank telephone number before stealing from her account. Guest: Richard Emery, Independent Fraud Investigator.As Debenhams department store is taken over by its lenders as part of an administration process, what should customers with gift cards, wedding lists and insurance arranged via the store do? Guest: Adam French, Consumer Rights Expert for Which? The price of wholesale energy has dropped sharply over the past two months. Could it eventually lead to lower bills for around 11 million households on default tariffs who are affected by Ofgem’s price cap? Guest Ellen Fraser, Independent Energy Consultant at Baringa.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

Are you saving into a pension at work? Has this happened automatically via auto enrolment? In just six years, this Government policy has encouraged ten million more people save into a pension. But not everyone is eligible to take part. So they get no employer contribution towards their retirement pot. People paid less than ten thousand pounds a year and the self-employed are currently excluded from the scheme. Paul Lewis and expert panel discuss the future of pension saving at work. How can more people be encouraged to save for their old age?Guests: Laura Gardiner, Resolution Foundation Meredith McCammond, Low Income Tax Reform Group Will Sandbrook, Nest Insight Emma Heathcote-James, Federation of Small BusinessesEmail [email protected] or call after one o'clock call 03 700 100 444.

The inconsistent manner in which police forces in England and Wales investigate reports of fraud is leaving victims 'confused and disillusioned.' That's one of the findings in a report by the watchdog Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. Money Box listener Emma lost her £25,000 new home deposit after criminals hacked emails between her and her solicitor in order to divert and steal the money. She feels let down by the police and her bank. Guest HM Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr. What needs to happen for you to achieve the life you desire? How much money is enough money? Just a few of the questions likely to be asked by a lifestyle financial planner as they cashflow model your future. Julie Lord, Chief Executive of Magenta Financial Planning, explains what it involves. A report from Gingerbread, the charity for single-parent families, highlights concerns over the operation of one of the Child Maintenance Support payment methods called Direct Pay where parents manage payments between themselves. Guest: Sumi Rabindrakumar who wrote the report for Gingerbread. This week the Financial Conduct Authority issued a warning for people considering putting their cash into Innovative Finance ISAs (IFISAs). It says mini-bonds or peer-2-peer investments "may not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme so customers may lose the money invested or find it hard to get back." It follows the collapse of London Capital & Finance. More than 11,000 people invested £236m with the failed mini-bond provider. Reporter: Dan Whitworth Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

Have you had to cope with sorting out a loved one's financial affairs after they die? The process is called probate or 'confirmation' in Scotland. It's a complex process, involving getting documents from financial institutions, valuing assets and perhaps even selling a house. It all comes at a time when relatives or friends may be feeling at their most vulnerable. Fees to apply for the probate process in England and Wales are due to rise sharply in many cases, subject to Commons approval, in the spring. Join Adam Shaw and expert panel to share your experiences of dealing with a loved one's financial affairs. GuestsHelen Stewart, head of probate and partner at Thomson, Snell and Passmore Alan Barr, partner at Brodies and co-author of Drafting Wills in Scotland. Sarah Pennells, founder of financial website, Savvywoman.co.uk

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth analyses the main findings from the administrators' report into London Capital & Finance. The high-risk mini-bond provider collapsed in January but not before it had taken £236m from 11,650 people. Many of them were first-time investors who thought their money was going into fixed rate ISAs. The cash they put in came from pensions, inheritances and life savings.From April the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) limit for regulated investments rises to £85,000 from the current £50,000. Guest Mark Neale, Chief Executive of the FSCS. As this year’s Council Tax bills arrive, are you eligible to reduce yours with a discount, exemption or help from a Council Tax Reduction scheme? Guest: Caroline Siarkiewicz,, Director and debt advice expert at the Single Financial Guidance Body. NHS consultant James Bailey explains how the annual allowance taper affects his finances and working life. The taper was introduced in 2016 and affects people with income over £150,000 including pension savings. For every £2 of income over £150,000, the annual allowance reduces by £1, to a minimum of £10,000 a year. If an individual’s income is less that £110,000 a year, excluding all pension savings, then the annual allowance taper doesn't apply. Guests: Josephine Cumbo Pensions Correspondent for the Financial Times and John Ralfe, an Independent Pensions Consultant. Reporter: Dan Whitworth Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier

A major change to the UK's tax system starts on April 1st. Is business ready for the VAT reporting shake-up? Making Tax Digital means businesses with an annual turn-over of more than £85,000 a year must file and submit their quarterly accounts using digital software which is compliant with the new system set up by HMRC. The Government says the initiative will increase the tax take. But small businesses have expressed concerns over the costs of upgrading software and getting to grips with the new system. Joining Louise Cooper are Theresa Middleton, Director of Making Tax Digital at HMRC and Anita Montheith, Technical Manager at The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Over 13 million smart meters have been installed in the UK. By the end of December next year gas and electricity suppliers will be expected to have taken "all reasonable steps" to roll them out to domestic and small business customers. One of those steps involves offering cheaper tariffs to customers - but only if they agree to have a smart meter installed. There's no legal requirement to have one so is it an unreasonable step too far? Guests: Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive at Energy UK and Joe Malinowski, founder of energyscanner.com To what extent does the way we bank affect the way we spend, or don’t spend, our money? Guest: Abi Adams, Behavioural Economist at the University of Oxford. The Serious Fraud Office has opened an investigation into individuals linked to London Capital & Finance. The failed high-risk mini-bond provider entered administration in January, but not before over 11,000 people had trusted it with £236m of their cash to invest in what they were told were fixed-rate ISAs. They now stand to get 20% of their money back at best.Annuities are a retirement income product bought with some or all of your pension pot. The insurance and pension provider Prudential is currently transferring around 400,000 policy holders to Rothesay Life following the sale of its portfolio to the annuities specialist. Guest: Billy Burrows, Retirement Director at specialist pensions adviser Better Retirement who explains the underlying security behind annuities and how they are protected if the provider changes. Reporter: Dan Whitworth Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

The number of first-time buyers is up, says Chancellor Philip Hammond. Will it continue? If you've managed to buy your first property, how did you do it and what help did you get?

In his first budget speech for the new Labour government chancellor Gordon Brown announced the 1999 introduction of individual savings accounts. The idea was to encourage the habit of putting money away, especially those who had never saved before. Twenty years later, there are more types available. We look at non-cash ISAs with Mark Polson, Founder of The Lang Cat financial services consultancy. Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth looks into warnings sent to the Financial Conduct Authority years before it took action against London Capital & Finance plc. LCF entered administration in January. By that time over 11,000 people had put £236m into high risk mini-bonds. At best they might only get around 20% of their original investment back.Laura received a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions asking for £625 of benefits it had placed into the bank account of her deceased grandmother. Laura's only involvement was to register the death. There was no will and no executor. The few assets her grandmother had went towards meeting funeral costs. The DWP confirmed to Money Box that there's no legal obligation to return a benefit direct payment of this type and if the recovery letter it sends is ignored, it will not pursue the amount. It also confirmed there are no plans to reimburse Laura the £625 she struggled to raise to pay it. Guest: Adam Sym, Probate Executive, Stephensons Solicitors. The exit fees charged by investors who want to move from their current online platform, and the difficulty many face in doing so, is the subject of the latest market study from the FCA. What might change for investors and do the proposals go far enough? Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, gives an update on the health of the UK economy. What will it mean for your household finances? A panel of experts will analyse what he says and we want to hear your assessment too. Are you cheered or concerned by the state of the nation's finances? And how will it affect the way you spend or save your hard-earned cash? Also, looking ahead to the new tax year, we'll discuss the tax cuts which begin in April and the outlook for our personal finances over the next twelve months. Guests: Tina Riches, Chartered Institute of Taxation Michelle Cracknell, independent pensions consultant Jane King, independent mortgage adviser from Ash-Ridge Private Finance Shirley McIntosh, Head of tax for Scotland at RSM accountants and tax advisersPresenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Sally Abrahams

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth investigates the companies which marketed London Capital & Finance plc ('LCF') mini-bonds to investors, including on comparison websites. LCF entered administration in January, by then 11,000 bondholders had invested £236m of savings. The joint administrator to LCF, Finbarr O'Connell, also provides an update on efforts to determine how the investments of those 11,000 bondholders unravelled and whether they have any hope of getting any of their money back. The cost of obtaining a death certificate in England and Wales recently increased from £4 to £11. People usually find, to their surprise, that they need to purchase multiple copies of certificates when alerting financial institutions or utility companies to a bereavement. Guest: Ian Bond Director and Head of Trusts and Estates at Talbots Law and chair of the Law Society's wills and equity committee. Financial Independence, Retire Early or FIRE is a movement driven by the idea of extreme saving in order to fund an early retirement. How realistic is it? Guests: Kristian Danielson who is 27 and planning to retire before he's 40 and Nick Earl, Financial Planner at London Money where he specialises in investments and retirement planning. Reporter: Dan Whitworth Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

More than 11,000 young people aged 16-18 left local authority care last year. Many feel completely unprepared for the financial decisions they will have to make when they start living independently. What help is available to them and how much financial education are they given to help them navigate the complex world of rent, food bills, benefits and savings? Join Adam Shaw and a panel of guests. Email [email protected] or call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 6 March. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.. Guests: Leah Edwards, Head of services for care leavers and children in care, Wigan Council Sam Royston, The Children's Society Joe Shaw, young care leaver of the year 2018 Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Sally Abrahams

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Mel Stride speaks to Paul Lewis about the forthcoming loan charge. The measure, which comes into force in April, aims to stop disguised remuneration schemes which can be used for tax avoidance purposes.People who have been tricked into authorising payments to bank accounts run by fraudsters stand a much better chance of being reimbursed in future. A new code has been published by the Payment Systems Regulator and agreed by the industry. It includes measures to do more to protect bank and buidling society customers from criminals including reimbursing them in all but exceptional circumstances. The code, which is voluntary, comes into effect on May 28th. Guest: Hannah Nixon, Managing Director, Payment Systems Regulator.Money Box listener David Hardie runs a small printing business. He recently received a letter from HMRC informing him that from next month he must submit his VAT return digitally. It's part of the wider government Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative to shift people away from paper-based record keeping. The software used has to be MTD compatible so David is now paying for a new accounts program. Tim Woodgates, a tax adviser and chartered accountant with Moore Stephens, suggests ways in which small businesses can be MTD compliant while keeping costs down. We hear a cautionary tale of what can happen when the terms and conditions of a guarantor loan are not scrutinised by the friend or relative being asked to pay off the debt if the original borrower defaults. Followed by Sara Williams, founder of the Debt Camel blog and Nick Beal Chief Regulatory and Public Affairs Officer at Amigo Loans in a wider discussion on guarantor loans. Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

If you're a small business, how are you affected by clients who pay late or don't pay at all? The Federation of Small Businesses estimates that around 50,000 firms go bust each year because of cash flow problems mainly caused by late payments. This is also a problem that also affects many of the UK's 5 million self-employed who find themselves out of pocket because clients can't or won't pay. So what can you do to recover the money you're owed? And how can we change the culture of late payment? Join Louise Cooper and a panel of guests with their own experience of poor payment practices and their solutions. Email [email protected] or call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 27 February 2019. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.Guests: Ailsa Fairchild, debt recovery manager, Girlings Solicitors Jess Pinhorn, specialist adviser, Business Debtline Paul Uppal, Small Business Commissioner Craig Beaumont, Federation of Small Businesses David Clarkson, credit controller, Wilmington plc Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Sally Abrahams

On April 6th the loan charge comes into force. It's an anti-tax avoidance measure which will enable HMRC to recover tax from disguised remuneration schemes which involved paying earnings back via a loan. Contractors, some of whom now face bills of hundreds of thousands of pounds, have told Money Box they were advised by their accountants to use these schemes, while others said they were told they would lose contracts without one. HMRC options for people in this situation are to repay the loans, settle the tax due or pay the loan charge in April which will apply to all loans made since 6 April 1999 if they are still outstanding. If a settlement has been agreed or is in progress with HMRC the charge will not apply. Guests: Andy Chamberlain, Deputy Director of Policy and External Affairs IPSE and Rebecca Benneyworth, Tax Lecturer and writer. Money Box listeners have been in touch to ask "what happens to debts when you die?" Guest: Andy Shaw, debt advice co-ordinator with StepChange debt charity.Margaret Snowdon, Chair of the Pension Scams Industry Group, discusses the findings of its pilot survey of three pension providers, who between them handled 27,000 pension transfers worth £1.33bn in a year. One of the aims of the survey was to identify areas where scams concerns around pension transfers might arise. It found the top concern to be the involvement of unregulated introducer firms who generate business leads for authorised advisers. Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

Confirmation of payee is a fraud prevention system which would allow banks and customers to check names alongside account and sort code details to ensure that transferred money goes to the right person. The Payment Systems Regulator wanted it to start in July. This week UK Finance, which represents banks, said it needed a delay until "some time next year." Guest Gareth Shaw, Head of Money, Which?Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth takes a forensic look at the accounts of companies linked to London Capital and Finance plc. The company is in administration, leaving 11,000 investors worried about what's happened to their cash. Guest Roger Isaacs, Forensic Partner at Milsted LangdonMegan Jarvie, Head of Coram Family and Childcare discusses the latest figures for tax-free childcare which show that 91,000 families used it for 109,000 children. Figures released this week revealed that 10 million people are now saving into a workplace pension. Some of those workers are non-tax payers and have been placed by employers in net pay arrangement schemes where pension contributions are collected before income tax. It means they don't get the tax relief on their pension contributions that they would get if they were in another scheme known as a relief at source, where contributions are collected after income tax. Guest: Meredith McCammond, Technical Officer for the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

So where are we with the promised Open Banking revolution?A little over a year ago we were teetering on the edge of radical reform after new rules meant that customers could give permission for their bank to share details of their current account with other banks and regulated companies. The plan was that by studying your spending and income details firms will be able to offer you financial products, give you a credit rating, or suggest ways to save money. What are you experiences? From 1pm on Wednesday 13th February you can call 03 700 100 444 or email anytime: [email protected] Paul Lewis on the panel this week: Imran Gulamhuseinwala, Implementation Trustee for Open Banking Ltd Pamela Meadows, payments expert from the Financial Services Consumer Panel. Freddy Kelly, founder Credit Kudos.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Jasper Corbett

From April millions of households on default energy tariffs and who have not switched suppliers will see a rise in their bills after regulator Ofgem raised caps for gas and electricity. The first cap was introduced in January as a measure to ensure customers paid fairer prices. Guest Jo Butlin, Chief Executive of EnergyBridge Consulting and an expert in how the energy industry works in the UK.This week the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee held its final evidence session on leasehold reform. Founder and Chief Executive of the HomeOwners Alliance Paula Higgins debates the issues with David O'Leary, Policy Director with the Home Builders Federation.What happens to state and private pensions post-Brexit? James Walsh, from the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, where he focuses on the EU, guides us through what's certain and what's uncertain.There are now more mortgage products than ever before for older borrowers, what’s attracting lenders to them? Guest: Darren Cook, Mortgage Analytics Manager at moneyfacts.co.ukPresenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

How would you like to receive a set income from the state without conditions?It's an idea which is gaining world wide attention with pilot schemes in Finland, Canada and Spain to name a few. In Scotland ministers have awarded funding to four local authorities to undertake feasibility studies with a view to holding a pilot. Adam Shaw and a guest panel discuss the theory behind the idea and examine how if it could ever work in practice.How have the trials worked in different countries? Is a universal basic income a useful way of thinking about wealth redistribution or is it just an unaffordable utopian dream? From 1pm Wednesday 6th February you can call us on 03 700 100 444 or email us at any time: [email protected] Adam on the panel: Jamie Cooke, Head of Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce Scotland Dr Louise Haagh, author of The Case for Universal Basic Income and a Reader in Politics at the University of York Dr Luke Martinelli, the main researcher on the Institute for Policy Research’s basic income research project at Bath UniversityProducer: Linda Walker Presenter: Adam Shaw Editor: Jasper Corbett

A firm which raised more than £200m from 14,000 investors has gone into administration. London Capital & Finance Plc (LCF) issued mini-bonds which promoted returns of 8 percent and higher. The Financial Conduct Authority was already investigating, last December it froze the assets of the firm. It also directed LCF to pull its "promotional material on the basis that the way in which it was marketing bonds was misleading, not fair and unclear." The FCA also expressed concerns that "LCF bonds were being marketed as ISA eligible when they were not." Guest: Finbarr O'Connell, one of the administrators of London Capital & Finance Plc.Tougher fraud prevention measures have seen some websites asking online shoppers to verify their identities by entering a six digit number, sent to them by text, before the transaction can continue. What if you live somewhere without a mobile signal? Guest: James Daley, Managing Director and Founder, Fairer Finance. We hear from the Money Box listener who's paying hundreds of pounds a year in fee charges for a SIPP investment that’s been valued at £1. Guest: Adam Samuel, financial services compliance specialist. Child Trust Funds were set up for babies born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 to encourage regular, long-term saving habits. Families received starter vouchers of £250 or £500 to open fund accounts. If, after the first year, they hadn’t, HMRC did it and sent families details of their provider. In many of those cases families failed to contact providers and forgot about the accounts. The first wave of children are turning 16 when they can take control of managing accounts ahead of being able to make withdrawals at 18. How can a lost account be found? Guest: Carol Knight, Chief Operating Officer TISA.

According to the Association of British Insurers, average motor insurance premiums dropped by 1% last year. But the experiences of many Money Box listeners tell a different story.Louise Cooper and panel discuss why the cost of car insurance is so high. How do insurers work your premium out? Is it ever a good idea to stick with your existing provider? And how common is it for young people to pay more for their insurance than the cost of their vehicle?From 1pm Wednesday 30th January you can call us on 03 700 100 444 or email us at any time: [email protected] Louise on the panel: David Williams - Technical Director at AXA Insurance Amanda Stretton - Motoring Editor, Confused.com Neil Hart - Client Services Director at Consumer IntelligenceProducer: Alex Lewis + Linda Walker Editor: John Murphy

Administrators have been appointed to the Dream Lodge Group leaving people, some of whom invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in the luxury holiday park lodge business, at risk of losing most if not all of their money. In return for their cash they were promised an 8% return on their investment plus a guaranteed buy back of their capital. In a statement to Money Box administrators Deloitte said "The best outcome for everyone would still be a sale of the business and we will formally report our progress on that and any other matters in our creditors report in mid-March. We appreciate this will be a difficult time for many people affected by the administration of the business.” What are the signs that an investment opportunity is too good to be true? Guest: Farhaz Khan, Secretary of the Financial Services Lawyers Association. The European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC, gives people from the UK the right to access state provided emergency care while temporarily staying in another European Economic Area country or Switzerland for free or for a reduced cost. Tamara Hervey, Professor of EU Law at the University of Sheffield explains what happens to the EHIC post-Brexit.The cash machine network Link will pay a 'super premium' to ATM operators in certain remote areas from April. It hopes the subsidy of up to £2.75 per withdrawal will keep machines free to use. Guest John Howells, CEO of Link. If you’ve signed up with a credit rating agency to get alerts whenever your file is accessed, what can you do if you discover a company you've never heard of has searched your details? Guest Lisa Hardstaff, Head of Customer Experience at Equifax.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

Private parking firms are issuing penalties to drivers at the rate of one every five seconds. That's a 20% increase compared to last year. Council income from parking penalties has never been higher. So why this increase? Every motorist has a parking ticket story. So what's yours?Email us [email protected] or call us from 1300 on 23rd January: 03 700 100 444, geographic charges from landlines and mobiles apply. Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Alex Lewis and Linda Walker Editor: John Murphy

New rules are set to change access to pension credit. At the moment the benefit can be claimed to top up income when the older partner in a couple reaches the qualifying state pension age. From May 15th it will switch to when the younger person in the relationship qualifies. Pensioners with younger partners who are already on pension credit or pension-age Housing Benefit will not be affected by the change while their entitlement remains. The announcement was made via a written statement by pensions minister Guy Opperman which was published on Monday. Guest: Gareth Morgan CEO of Ferret Information Systems. Money Box listeners who took out student loans in the 1990s have received letters offering to settle the debt if they agree to pay a percentage of their outstanding amount. Some of these former students are approaching the point where their loans will be written off anyway. Guest: Martin Lewis, Founder and Chair MoneySavingExpert.comSorting out a £51 tax refund ended up costing one man £137 after he searched online and dialled a number listed on an official looking website which he thought belonged to HMRC. It wasn’t and the line he called which connected him to HMRC was a premium rate one. Guest: David Hickson of the Fair Telecoms campaign.Reporter: Dan Whitworth Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

A New Year, a new you!Many of us have committed to eat better and get fitter. But just as popular is to save more. We want to know how you have resolved to improve YOUR personal finances. Email us: [email protected] or call us from 1300 on 16th January on 03 700 100 444, geographic charges from landlines and mobiles apply. Let us know how you're doing.Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: John Murphy

Two banks have taken the unusual step of refunding a fraud victim all her money. With new rules for banks on this issue coming into force soon, is this a sign of things to come and are more victims likely to benefit? We hear from bank fraud consultant, Richard Emery, of 4 Keys international. Economy Energy has become the ninth energy supply company to go bust in the last year. 235,000 customers are now being told to sit tight while Ofgem appoints a new supplier, but has the regulator opened up the market too much? We speak to one of its executive directors, Mary Starks. And with Universal Credit complicating who does and doesn’t get free prescriptions in England, hundreds of thousands of people are being wrongly fined for not paying the £8.80 fee. We find out what it means for claimants and pharmacists and speak to Sandra Gidley, from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Richard Vadon

Is it time to turn to the small claims court? It’s only 9 days into the New Year and your relaxed demeanour may have already waned. Especially if faced with a mountain of Christmas presents that never worked and a feeling of resentment about the botched boiler repair.Help is at hand in the form of the small claims court – a low cost way for you to claim what you feel you are owed by an individual or small business, providing it's not more than £10,000.In the past year a little over 2 million claims were raised in England and Wales, 39,000 of them via the Government's newly launched online service. They boast that the fastest claim was lodged and paid in under two hours.Today our panel discusses the effectiveness of the system for getting you your money back:. Helen Dewdney aka The Complaining Cow and consumer champion Benjamyn Damazar, regular user of the small claims court process Stephen Gerlis, retired district court judge.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: John Murphy

Have you had an accident in the last 5 years - even if it wasn't your fault? Ticking that box on a car insurance application can be very costly - even if you weren't to blame. Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth has been investigating why.Around 14,000 investors who put their money into a mini-bond sold by London Capital & Finance are in limbo this week after the Financial Conduct Authority froze the firms assets and banned it from advertising or selling the product. What does this mean for people with money invested?The Chinese economy is flagging after decades of expansion and the latest Bank of England figures show a fall in UK consumer lending. Will 2019 see our personal finances coming under an increasing squeeze?And as the currently un-named Government backed 'Single Financial Guidance Body' comes into being - taking on the roles of The Pensions Advisory Service, Pension Wise and Money Advice Service - we mull over suggestions for what it could be called...Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Richard Vadon