Money Box

Are you putting down the mince pies and opening your bank statements? Well, you're in the right place as we're dedicating some time to the kinds of money topics that come up between Christmas and New Year. Perhaps you want to know your consumer rights before hitting the sales, what to do with unwanted gifts or maybe you've spent more than you can afford this festive season? If so, then you've come to the right place.We'll hear why for hundreds of thousands of people, their tax return has become a festive tradition. And we'll also look ahead to Summer 2024 and how to get some holiday bargains.Felicity Hannah is joined by, etiquette coach William Hanson, Emma Munbodh, the money news editor at The Telegraph, Anna Hall the head of money and debt operations at the Money and Pensions Service and Rob Staines an independent travel expert.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Luke Smithurst Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This is a slightly shorter version of an episode was first broadcast on Wednesday the 27th of December 2023 at 3pm on Radio 4)

Higher earners in Scotland are to pay more income tax from April. That was one of the headlines from the Scottish government in its budget on Tuesday. We'll discuss that change and more with Professor Mairi Spowage, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde.Tens of thousands of teenagers could benefit from studying the subject of core maths once they turn 16. That's according to the charity Maths in Education and Industry. The course was launched in 2014 and currently has around 12,000 teenagers studying it in around 30 per cent of schools across England. However, the MEI says it's vital to get as many students as possible signed up. We have our top three Christmas crackers – tips to save you money in 2024. We also revisit some of the people we've helped this year.Plus, festive music from the City of Lincoln Band.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 23rd December 2023)

A typical rental property gets 25 enquires from people who want to view it, according to the property listings site Rightmove. That high demand also comes alongside high prices. The estate agents Hamptons says tenants have been hit with the biggest rise in rental costs in at least a decade. And it's not just tenants feeling the pinch. We look at the impact rising interest rates have had on those owning the homes people are renting.With Felicity Hannah today to go through your questions and comments we have Richard Blanco from the National Residential Landlords Association, Jasmine Basran - Head of Policy and Campaigns and CRISIS, and Richard Donnell - Head of Research and Insight at Zoopla.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 20th December, 2023)

The Office for National Statistics has published the first of a new quarterly set of figures designed to reflect how inflation is experienced by households. They are called the Household Costs Indices and include things like mortgage costs, interest and insurance. It showed that overall UK household costs rose by 8.2% in the 12 months to September. How does it compare to other measures and what impact could it have? Are you thinking of buying a gift card as a present for Christmas? There's a warning that people looking to use gift cards this Christmas need to be on the look out for scams and fraud. And from 1st January the cost of heating and lighting your home and cooking your food will rise in England, Scotland, and Wales. The average increase in energy bills will be just over 5% adding £94 a year to the typical bill. As some suppliers begin offering deals to fix your costs we'll ask what should you do?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 16th December 2023)

This week we're tackling the cost of the festive season and looking at how to avoid scams. The cost of Christmas is up almost a quarter over the last three years according to the The Centre for Economics and Business Research. What can you do to keep costs down?And as figures from UK Finance, the trade body for banks, suggest nearly £100m will be stolen from around 200,000 people through fraud and scams over the Christmas period we'll discuss what you can do to avoid them.With Felicity Hannah today to go through your questions and comments we have Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London and Professor Sharon Collard, Research Director at the University of Bristol's Personal Finance Research Centre.We'll also be hearing from Paul Askew a chef and the owner of the Art School restaurant in Liverpool and he'll be giving us some tips on how to cut the cost of Christmas Dinner.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Kath Paddison Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 13th December, 2023)

Teenagers are being bombarded on social media with promotions for financial products they might not understand and that are usually too risky or dangerous for them to invest in. The MP Robin Walker, who chairs the Commons Education Select Committee, wants to see financial education for 16-18 year olds strengthened. The Department for Education told us "Financial literacy within citizenship is compulsory for 11-16-year-olds in the national curriculum, so young people are taught about the importance of personal budgeting, savings, money management and calculating interest.”Figures indicate an increasing number of homeowners are making overpayments on their mortgages, to take the sting out of new interest rates. More than £21.3 billion was overpaid in the first ten months of this year - up more than 14% from the same period last year. But how much do you need to overpay, to make a difference?The new project where people can get loans at zero interest to help with the cost of electricity, gas, and heating oil. We visit Ballyhackamore Credit Union in East Belfast to see how it works.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth, Sandra Hardial and Eimear Devlin Researcher: Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 9th Dec 2023)

This is a transformative time for banking. The last decade has seen an incredibly fast-paced increase in the use of technology and also a rapid decrease in the use of cash. High Street banks, where most of us have our money, have adapted. From branch closures to online accounts, we'll discuss how banking is changing.We look back at the history of banking with Cambridge University Economic Historian Dr Victoria Batemen. We’ll also speak to Dave Fishwick whose life story became a movie after he set up his own bank in his community. And Felicity Hannah is joined by independent banking analyst Frances Coppola and Cat Farrow, Chief Operating Officer at Cash Access UKPresenter: Felicity Hannah Producers: Sarah Rogers and Kath Paddison Reporter: Eimear Devlin Editor: Jess Quayle (This programme was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday the 6th of December at 3pm)

Property buyers have said their home completions are being left in limbo after a company providing IT services to law firms was hit by a cyber incident. Money Box has found some of the UK's largest lenders have begun extending mortgage offers for those affected. A national debt charity is calling on lenders to improve the way they identify customers who're getting into problem debt. StepChange says its recent research shows almost half of people with credit debt are experiencing difficulty with household bills and 1 in 6 adults are using credit to make ends meet. UK Finance which represents banks and credit card companies says lenders are committed to lending responsibly.Charities are facing weeks or even months unable to access their own money thanks to the unexpected closures of their bank accounts. We've been getting emails about accounts being closed without people being given any reason or warning. UK Finance says banks will only take a decision to close an account after an extensive review and analysis. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 2nd December 2023)

This week on Money Box Live we're talking about Power of Attorney. What it means, who needs one and some of the pros and pitfalls.Presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star, Angela Rippon shares her experiences with the programme and Felicity Hannah is joined by a panel of experts to answer your comments and questions.Solicitor Gary Rycroft helps clients set up and manage the legal side of Power of Attorneys and Sandra McDonald is former Public Guardian for Scotland and author of 'Power of Attorney: All you need to know: granting, it, using it or relying on it.'Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Luke Smithurst Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday the 29th of November at 3pm).

We'll take a closer look at what the Autumn Statement means for your personal finances. On Wednesday the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, made announcements about tax, pensions and benefits. With his top takeaways, Paul Lewis talks tax cuts and the unfreezing of the local housing allowance.A listener went into a filling station to put just enough petrol in her car to leave her enough money to buy food for the family dinner. Then, the petrol station ringfenced the cost of a full tank and although she spent a fraction of that, the rest was not released for two days. Why did that happen and what can she do?And the new global report from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners which says reports of financial abuse of vulnerable clients is increasing. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Sandra Hardial Researcher: Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast, 12noon Saturday 25th November 2023)

The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt has opened the red briefcase once again to deliver the Autumn Statement in the Commons.But what does it mean for you and your money? Felicity Hannah will be looking at how today's announcements impact your personal finances - from pensions, to taxes and benefits.Joining her to answer your questions and comments are, Alice Haine, Personal Finance Analyst at BestInvest, Dawn Register, Partner at the accountancy firm BDO and Sangita Chawla, Managing Director for Standard Life.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Paul Ruddick Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm, Wednesday the 22nd November, 2023).

The number of reported scams involving QR codes has nearly quadrupled in less than three years according to figures seen by Money Box. The data was revealed by City of London Police and gathered from reports made to Action Fraud. The Charted Institute of Trading Standards is warning those reports are likely to be just the tip of the iceberg. We'll hear the story of one woman who was scammed after using a QR code in a car park.The government's cost of living support payments to help people on low incomes cope with rising bills have not been enough to meet the scale of the problem. That's the warning from Parliament's Work and Pensions Committee which this week called on the government to consider widening the eligibility for future payments. The Department for Work and Pensions says the payments have provided a significant financial boost to millions of households and are just one part of the record £94 billion support package - which includes a 10.1% rise to benefits earlier this year and a more than £2 billion Household Support Fund to help with the cost of household essentials.A young disabled man was denied access to a high interest savings account - after his parents, who have a court order to deal with his finances, tried to open the account. How common is this and what can you do? And what can you expect from the Autumn Statement?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Joanna Morris and Jo Krasner Producer: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Sandra Hardial Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 18th November 2023)

Most people would like to save for their children but it's not always straightforward. There are questions about the best accounts, about how much you can afford - and about what those children might decide to spend the money on once they hit 18!According to Standard Life 7 out of 10 parents are worried they're not saving enough for their youngsters' futures.Felicity Hannah is joined by Kirsty Stone, a Chartered Financial Planner at the financial adviser The Private Office and Stephanie Fitzgerald, Head of Young People Programmes at The Money Charity to answer your comments and questions.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Reporter: Eimear Devlin Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast on Wednesday the 15th of November at 3pm).

As the number of homeowners behind on their mortgage jumps we look at a scheme in Wales trying to help people stay in their homes.Also on the programme we speak to experts who weigh up the pros and cons of deferring your state pension and hear about the complications one woman had in getting the money she was owed.We'll tell you if you're eligible for the winter fuel payment and, as the cost of living continues to bite, we visit a baby bank in Perth and Kinross to meet the volunteers who run it to speak to them about the increasing demand for help in providing everything from nappies to milk powder to wipes and toys.

This week we are talking all things love and money and what co-habiting, marriage and divorce mean for your finances.Do you split the bills evenly or have a complicated spreadsheet to work out who pays what? It comes as recent research published by the University of Bristol revealed 100,000 couples divorce in England and Wales every year - but only a third of them use the legal system to sort out their finances - the majority negotiate their own arrangements or in the worst cases, reach no settlement at all.So, Felicity Hannah will cover everything from how to have those tricky money conversations with each other to how couples split their finances. This week to answer your questions and comments, we're joined by Laura Suter, Head of Personal Finance at AJ Bell and Nigel Shepherd, specialist family lawyer and consultant with Mills & Reeve.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producers: Sarah Rogers Editor: Dan Whitworth (This episode was first broadcast on Wednesday the 8th of November).

For the first time we know the record of individual banks on reimbursing victims of fraud. The Payment Systems Regulator published figures this week which show, bank by bank, what proportion of the victims were reimbursed and what proportion of their money they got back. Millions of people, some with quite modest savings, now face the prospect of paying tax on the interest those savings earn. Who does it affect and what do you need to do about it?We'll discuss a new report from the University of Bristol about finances and divorce.And as recent research suggests two out of three British adults have told a 'financial fib' by lying about their earnings or what something cost, we want to know your financial fibs - email [email protected]: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 4th November, 2023)

This week the team is live at a community centre in Lancaster to look at all things housing.It's one of the biggest financial stories of the year. Rising interest rates led to hundreds of mortgage deals being pulled earlier this year before being replaced by costlier versions. This week the Bank of England will decide where they'll go next.Exclusive figures for Money Box have revealed a third of people with a mortgages are overdrawn or have to borrow at the end of the month, meanwhile monthly rents average £1,304 a month.To answer your comments and questions, Felicity Hannah will be joined by Sarah Pennells, Consumer Finance Specialist at Royal London, Dr Hilary Ingham, Professor of Economics at Lancaster University and Kim Howarth, Branch Manager of Entwistle Green estate agents in Lancaster.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Produced by: Sarah Rogers & Kath Paddison Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast 3pm Wednesday the 1st of November, 2023)

The official body which tackles loan sharks tells Money Box that for the first time in its almost 20 year history it is seeing people turn to loan sharks to pay for essentials like food and fuel. The England Illegal Money Lending Team investigates and prosecutes loan sharks and supports those threatened by them. We report from Blackpool and visit a credit union - CLEVR Money - where people can borrow money legally and at reasonable cost.Why some pensioners may have to pay tax next year on their state pension even if they have no other income.A cost of living payment of £300 will drop into the bank accounts of people on means-tested benefits from Tuesday - find out who's eligible.And what's driving a rise in the cost of car insurance?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Sarah Rogers Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 28th October, 2023)

More than £500m was stolen by fraudsters in the first half of 2023, according to figures from UK Finance. This is less than the same period in 2022, but Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams, where people are tricked into transferring money to thieves, are on the rise.We ask what can be done to fight back against the fraudsters, both on a personal and industry-wide level?Joining Felicity Hannah are Ben Donaldson, Director of Economic Crime at UK Finance, TSB’s Manager of Fraud Operations, Paul Davis and Kathryn Westmore, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Financial Crime and Security at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank.Plus Dan Whitworth goes behind the scenes at TSB’s Fraud Prevention Centre in Sunderland. And we hear from case studies who’ve lost money, managed to get it back – but been left devastated by being scammed.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producers: Sam Clack and Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 25th October, 2023)

We investigate the case of Kent Brushes, a hairbrush company founded in 1777, which has had £1.6m stolen by thieves. The money was transferred in 40 separate transactions, all to new payees, in less than 20 minutes. Dan Whitworth reports.And - the difficulties facing people in England who used the government’s Help To Buy loan scheme to get on the property ladder. What advice is there for those affected?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Jo Krasner and Sandra Hardial Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 21st October, 2023)

Just how much does technology impact your finances? Do you search for the best deals on your laptop or phone? Perhaps you keep track of your money through online banking.As many as 40% of people in the UK feel they cannot keep up with newer technology according to the charity the Good Things Foundation.And not being online can cost you money, over £1,000 a year, according to Hargreaves Lansdown.This week we've been out to meet people learning how to take on tech for the first time and Felicity Hannah is joined by Helen Milner, CEO of Good Things Foundation and Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown to answer your calls and questions. Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast 3pm on Wednesday the 18th of October, 2023)

This week, the energy watchdog Ofgem released data showing energy debts reached £2.6 billion between April and June. It says the rise in debt was due to both the increase in wholesale energy prices and wider cost of living pressures. We'll get reaction to that figure from Octopus Energy, one of the UK's biggest suppliers.More and more people are taking money out of their private pensions. Between April and June, 4 billion pounds was withdrawn from pensions by more than 500,000 people - 15% more than a year ago. What should you consider before you take money out of your pension? And, two weeks before the deadline to get your paper tax return in, HMRC says it will take three weeks to post the form to you. What are your options if you still need to send one?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast, 12pm Saturday 14th October, 2023)

A lot of us like to save up for special occasions - a holiday, some home improvements - but, as we grow older, more of us think about saving for the costs that come after we die.In fact, 69% of people make some sort of provision to help with the cost of their funeral, according to the financial services firm Sunlife.And it's a big bill - more than £9,000 if you want a funeral and a wake or even a party afterwards. Today on Money Box Live, we'll be talking about what kind of send off you might want from, woodland burials to tradition services as well as how to pay for it.This week Felicity Hannah is joined by solicitor Gary Rycroft and Julian Ferguson from the Association of Green Funeral Directors.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Researcher: Eimear Devlin Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 11th October, 2023)

A funeral plan company with more than 13,000 customers has gone bust leaving thousands of people without the plan they paid for. One Life Funeral Planning Limited was just 1 of around 40 firms which were not approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in July 2022 when it took over regulation of funeral planners. Attempts to find a regulated firm to take over its customers failed and last November its directors put it into administration. What can its customers do?Christine Farnish, a former non-executive director at the energy regulator Ofgem, has told Money Box the amount of credit held by energy companies is a "real problem" that needs looking at. It comes after we revealed last week that suppliers held more than £8bn of customers' money in the form of credit on their accounts in the first three months of this year. Ofgem said protecting customers is its top priority and that it encourages suppliers to help customers spread the cost of winter over a full year to help them manage their bills. Previously Energy UK have told us told us at the time this £8.1bn was being held as credit prices were extremely volatile and the level of government help was unknown.Nearly half a million new 18 year olds have not claimed hundreds even thousands of pounds waiting for them in child trust funds the govt and parents set aside for them. Check here: findctf.sharefound.org And is there a way to tell if you really are investing ethically? A new database may be a step towards that. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast, 12pm Saturday 7th October, 2023)

Money Box Live is looking at how to prepare for the cold nights ahead this winter following a year of high energy costs.The Ofgem energy price cap has fallen by 7% to just over £1900. The price cap is the maximum amount your provider can charge per unit of gas and electricity. It is the amount a typical home in England, Scotland and Wales will pay a year, but if you use more, you will pay more.Last year, there was government support to the tune of £400 to help households with rising costs. That isn't coming this year, and standing charges have gone up. It means people may end up paying more this Winter.So, this week on Money Box Live, we're looking at how what you're doing to keep costs down as well as tips from our experts ranging from how thick your insulation should be to exactly how much it costs to put the oven on.Matthew Cole, head of the Fuel Bank Foundation, and Madeleine Gabriel, Director of Sustainability at charity Nesta, join Felicity Hannah for this week's programme.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Researcher: Eimear Devlin Editor: Jess Quayle

Energy companies are holding on to too much of their customers' money in the form of credit on their accounts. That's according to Angus MacNeil, Chair of the House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero committee. Money Box has uncovered the total amount of credit being held in the first three months of this year was £8.1 billion. Those figures are from the regulator, Ofgem. Energy UK, which represents energy companies says suppliers are obligated to set direct debits that are, over a 12 month period, estimated to result in a balanced account. It also told us at the time this £8.1bn was being held as credit prices were extremely volatile and the level of government help was unknown. It also said it's not meaningful to compare credit and debt.Charities say new figures obtained by Money Box show that less than 1 in 4 bereaved parents who were not married have claimed a support payment they became entitled to in February. That was when the government changed the law to give cohabiting parents equal rights with parents who were married or in a civil partnership. The Department for Work and Pensions say it's telling bereaved parents about the backdated benefit via stakeholders, charities and a targeted media and social media campaign. More information on who can claim is available at: www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/cohabitingWhat you need to know about the self-assessment tax deadline on 5th October.And, we'll also run through the changes to energy bills coming in on 1st October.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Luke Smithurst Editor: Jess QuayleEnergy Credit 00:00 Bereavement Support 08:43 Tax Deadline 14:49 Energy Bills 16:32(First broadcast, 12pm Saturday 30th September, 2023)

The Bank of England has held interest rates at 5.25%, ending a run of 14 consecutive increases. What does that mean for mortgages? We'll also look back one year on from the mini-budget. Hear from Clare Beardmore the Director of the Mortgage Club at Legal and General and Nimesh Shah the CEO of Blick Rothenberg.Nearly half of our universities are now encouraging students to work part time by promoting it on their websites. The Higher Education Policy Institute, which carried out the research, has described it as a major change in the attitude of universities. Dan Whitworth reports from St. Andrews.And what does the rates freeze mean for savers - we'll speak to Anna Bowes the founder of SavingsChampion.co.uk.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Sam Clack Researchers: Luke Smithurst and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess QuayleMortgages 00:00 Students and Part-time Work 10:26 Energy Report 18:35 Savings and Best Rates 19:29(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 23rd September, 2023)

Inflation has dropped to 6.7% but that doesn't mean our bills will be coming down anytime soon.The news offers a small amount of welcome relief as the dip means prices are rising slower than they have been. But inflation is still way off the Bank of England's target of 2%.This week on Money Box Live we're looking at how to try and lower your personal rate of inflation and cut costs.Felicity Hannah is joined by Christopher Jenkins a Senior Inflation Statistician from the Office For National Statistics as well as personal finance journalist Martyn James and Lisa Webb from consumer group Which?Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Researcher: Luke Smithurst Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast, 3pm Wednesday September 20th, 2023)

Exclusive data for Money Box suggest that 1 in 5 UK adults have had to ration things like heating or electricity to keep up with their debt repayments. 1 in 8 have changed the food they eat for less healthy options. The survey, carried out by debt charity StepChange, found a third of adults say they are in financial difficulties, but half would be reluctant to contact their lenders to try to sort things out. We'll speak to the CEO of StepChange Vikki Brownridge.Listeners who run community groups battle their banks over unexplained account closures. What are your rights?Millions of pounds of Pension Credit has been claimed by thousands of people in London who didn't know they were eligible. A recent campaign saw 8,200 older households in 17 London boroughs receive targeted letters to make them aware that they might be able to get the benefit. As a result there were more than 2,000 successful claims, worth just under £8.4 million. Plus, Money Box journalism leads to questions being asked in parliament over an energy scheme that thousands of people missed out on.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Sandra Hardial Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 16th Sept, 2023)00:00 Rationing to pay debts 08:40 Bank Account Closures 14:44 Energy Bills 16:59 Pension Credit

This week we're talking about pensions for the next generation and taking your questions and comments.Writer and director Richard Curtis is with us to consider why green investments could be the key better engagement when it comes to young people.Also joining us, Sophie Smith, News Editor of Pensions Age and Helen Morrisey, Head of Retirement Analysis from Hargreaves Lansdown.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Researcher: Luke Smithurst Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast, 3pm on the 13th September, 2023)

This week there have been warnings that millions of people aren't saving enough for retirement and calls for pension contributions to be increased. One thinktank - New Financial - released a report saying that despite the success of auto-enrolment nearly a third of the UK workforce are not saving for a pension at all. Most aren't saving enough and will have smaller pensions in future. The government says auto-enrolment means billions more is being saved into pensions. If you are one of the millions of people who own shares directly in a UK company then you may have to give them up. There are just two weeks left to have your say about the future of how those shares are held. It's because paper share certificates are on the way out to be replaced by digital versions. We'll discuss what this means. If want to have your say email "[email protected]".If you're wondering where your favourite show on Netflix or Paramount has gone it might be a victim of the strikes in Hollywood where 11,000 writers and more than 150,000 actors have been on strike for the last few months. It means a large number of productions being filmed or produced in the UK have been put on hold, leaving the mainly self-employed crew members with no work and no financial support. We'll hear from those affected.Plus Royal Mail has announced that the price of posting a letter will rise in October for the second time this year. We'll have the details on that.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Sarah Rogers Researcher: Sandra Hardial Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 9th September 2023)

15 million adults in the UK feel financially insecure as a result of the rising cost of living. And almost 1 in 10 say they have debt they don’t know how they will repay – that’s according to the charity Christians Against Poverty.Felicity Hannah and a panel of experts answer your questions on everything debt related - from the cost of childcare, bankruptcy and support if you have been the victim of financial abuse.Featuring, Alice Haine, Personal Finance Analyst at Bestinvest and Richard Lane from the debt charity StepChange.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Researcher: Luke Smithurst Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 6th September, 2023)

New research has found that one in five people are paying for essentials - like food and household bills - by borrowing on Buy Now, Pay Later. A report from The Money and Pensions Service says more than ten million people now use it and claims around 40% of people they surveyed were managing their repayments badly including turning to credit cards, savings or overdrafts to pay it back.Millions of pounds could be saved every year by building more homes that are accessible to people in wheelchairs - that's the conclusion of a report by the London School of Economics and the Housing Association, Habinteg. It looked into the financial costs and benefits of building more accessible homes for people who need them. The number of wheelchair users living in unsuitable homes across the UK is estimated to be more than 400,000. Dan Whitworth visits Kenilworth to meet Georgia and her family for a tour of their partly accessible home. The government is currently considering ways it could change pensions in the UK to drive better outcomes for savers. Part of this includes a call for evidence looking at how defined benefit schemes might be invested differently. One idea is to make it easier for private sector employers to access tens of billions of pounds of surplus funds that have built up in their pension schemes. The Department for Work and Pensions says "the direction of future policy is not yet decided.” Tom Selby from AJ Bell explores this idea.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Sarah Rogers Researcher: Sandra Hardial Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 2nd September)00:00 Introduction 00:41 Buy Now Pay Later 07:25 Accessible Homes 15:41 Self-Assessment Tax Helpline 17:02 Defined Benefit Pensions

Felicity Hannah and the team broadcast live from Leeds University as students from England face a massive overhaul to their finances. It's the biggest change in more than a decade.Previously, student loans were written off after 30 years, but under a new scheme called 'Plan 5' it's 40 years. Graduates will also have to start paying money back when they earn £25,000, the threshold has been lowered this year from £27,295.So, this week we're looking at how much a really degree costs as well as taking your questions and comments.On the programme we have money guru Martin Lewis to explain exactly what the changes mean as well as Louise Banahene, Leeds University Engagement Officer, Bethan Corner, who is the Education Officer at the Student Union, and Tom Allingham from student finance website, Save the Student.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast, 3pm, Wednesday 27th September 2023)

High streets have a double challenge; they need to cope with their own rising costs and keeping hard pressed customers spending. We hear how Barnsley’s sellers are adapting to tricky times. Is anyone able to see a path through to a thriving business?Felicity Hannah meets traders in The Glassworks, home to the town’s new redeveloped undercover market. Here she’s made a special coffee by Dave in his new café which is thriving; Katy, who’s side hustle is making candle melts to sell at the young traders monthly market & David, a butcher who’s been selling meat here for over 30 years. The programme also talks to Dr Jackie Mulligan founder & CEO, ShopAppy.com & a member of High Streets Task Force, who explains how high street businesses are fairing across the UK. Series Producer Smita Patel Editor Clare Fordham Studio Engineer by Rod Farquhar

Schools are dealing with their own rising costs, but they are also coping with the impact of the cost-of-living on their pupils and their families. One primary school tells us how they’re facing up to the challenge. Can they thrive in tricky economic times? Felicity Hannah spends a day at school with Sally Herbert, Principal at Oasis Academy Harpur Mount, primary school in Manchester. She meets staff, parents and pupils to hear how the cost of living is impacting on their children’s education. The Programme also talks to education expert Laura McInErney, co-founder of Teacher Tapp, to ask what does the future look like for schools. Series Producer Smita Patel Editor Clare Fordham Studio mixed by Rod Farquhar

Rising costs are having an impact on almost everyone, but that impact is very different for different sections of the economy. Rising food production costs are pushing up everyone’s grocery bills, and squeezing farmers’ profit margins. How are farms adapting to survive difficult times? Are any of them finding new ways to thrive?Felicity Hannah travels to South Wales to meet two farmers, both running family businesses. Kevin and Sian, who, since covid, have diversified their 200 acre mixed farm into a profit making business. And Abi who works alongside her parents and uncle on a 700 acres mixed farm of dairy, sheep, arable, and beef has seen costs spiral but has long term financial solutions for her family business to thrive again. The programme also talks to Minette Batters, president of the National Farmers’ Union which represents 47,000 farming businesses across England and Wales, to ask what does the future look like for farmers. Series Producer Smita Patel Editor Clare Fordham Studio Engineer Rod Farquhar

Rising costs are having an impact on almost everyone, but that impact is very different for different social groups. Is anyone managing to make a difference to their own budget, however small? Whether they be high earners or low income households, how are people taking control of their finances? Felicity Hannah meets Peter who lives alone in a rented flat in Stoke and has a disability that prevents him from working; Hollie, a new mum, living with her fiancé in Wigan, who’s trying to juggle money while on maternity leave with the rising costs of having a small baby. And Kishan, one of many people being bitten by monthly mortgage rate hikes. He lives in London and has three mortgages; his own plus two buy to lets. The programme also talks to Dr Gemma Tetlow Chief Economist at the Institute for Government to ask what does Peter, Hollie and Kishan’s experience tell us about the cost of living crisis across the nation. Are households surviving or thriving? Series Producer Smita Patel Editor Clare Fordham Studio Engineer Rod Farquhar

The Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates again this week, for the fourteenth consecutive time. The increase will hike the monthly repayments for anyone on a variable rate mortgage, for those trying to re-mortgage after coming off a fixed-rate and for first time buyers with new home loans. In this podcast we look at the dilemmas created by high borrowing rates. The experts in this podcast are Sonya Matharu, Senior Mortgage Broker at The Mortgage Mum and Tom Bill, Head of UK Residential Research at Knight Frank. Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Amber Mehmood Researcher: Luke Smithurst Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 2nd August, 2023)

Care home leaders are the latest group criticising the Government for failing to get £400 of winter fuel help to the people entitled to it. The Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Fund was supposed to help nearly one million households who don't pay an energy supplier directly. 20,000 households in care homes got this money, but according to new BBC Verify analysis for this programme that suggests 1 in 7 who were eligible, didn't. The government says it spent billions of pounds helping millions of households last winter with their energy bills, covering nearly half the cost of a typical household's bill. On Monday major changes begin in the way we are sold financial products and services by regulated firms like banks, insurers, advisers. Not only will they have to stick to the 20 year old rules about treating customers fairly. They will be subject to a new Consumer Duty. What is it and what does it mean? A scheme which offers debt advice and help with money problems through doctors’ surgeries, is being extended thanks to some new funding. We first reported on the trial two years ago. Since then the Centre for Responsible Credit which runs the scheme says hundreds of people have been helped to access hundreds of thousands of pounds in support.Plus, from 1st August most old first and second class stamps without barcodes are no longer valid. What should you do if you still have any old stamps?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast, 12pm Saturday 29th July, 2023)

An average of 20 potential tenants request to view each available rental home, more than triple the amount in 2019, according to data commissioned by the BBC. The queue to view is even longer in some regions, reaching 30 in the North West of England, according to the property portal Rightmove.From facing tough competition for a home to receiving a section 21 notice of eviction, we hear what renters are experiencing in the current market and we offer advice on what their rights are. The experts on the panel are Nyree Applegarth, Partner at Higgs LLP, Tim Bannister, Director at Rightmove and Ben Beadle, Chief Executive at National Residential Landlords Association.For tips on how to get ahead in the race to secure a rental property and information on your rights as a tenant go to the Tackling it Together section on the front page of the BBC News website.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Amber Mehmood Reporter: Sam Gruet Researcher: Luke Smithurst Editor: Jess Quayle(First Broadcast at 3pm, Wednesday 26th July, 2023)

Sick people in England are being caught out by the complex rules which exempt some from NHS prescription charges. The Patients Association says the rules surrounding the £9.65 per item levy should be simplified. The call comes after Money Box listeners told us how they struggled to navigate the rules. The NHS Business Services Authority which runs the system told us "Patients can check they are eligible for free NHS prescriptions before claiming by using the free eligibility checker at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check. It takes just three minutes".Money Box can exclusively reveal that £55 million of fraud was prevented last year by bank and building society employees deliberately ignoring customers' instructions to transfer their money to thieves. They're allowed to do that in a branch because of what is called the banking protocol - a UK-wide law that allows staff in the branch to stop transfers and ask customers what they're doing with their money and why. We'll hear from Sophie who saved one of her customers £90,000.And, what does this week's fall in inflation really mean for your personal finances?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 22nd July, 2023)

The UK government has announced a package of reforms designed to boost pensions and increase investment in British businesses. A panel of experts explore the impact of this on your pots and what it could mean for your retirement.The experts in this podcast are Nigel Peaple, Director of Policy and Research at the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) and Alice Guy, Head of Pensions and Savings at Interactive Investor.Presenter: Adam Shaw Reporter: Luke Smithurst Producer: Amber Mehmood Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 19th July, 2023)

A “staggering failure” is how one senior MP has described a government scheme designed to help nearly a million households with their energy bills last winter. Former SNP and now independent MP Angus MacNeil, who's Chair of Parliament’s Energy Security and Net Zero committee, has called on the government to reopen the scheme after a Money Box investigation reported that 750,000 eligible households have not received the £400 to help with their fuel costs and can't now apply for it. The Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Funding was launched in February to give the £400 to people who live in park homes, on narrow boats, in care homes, and travellers who had not automatically had the £400 which was sent to households with an electricity meter. In response, a government spokesperson said: "We spent billions to protect families when prices rose over winter, covering nearly half a typical household's energy bill – this includes more than £50m supporting 130,000 households without a domestic energy supplier".What do the government’s new proposals for pensions mean for the millions of people with money invested and how risky are the plans?There's a warning about mortgage scams where people are being tricked into giving away personal details by phishing emails and texts.And will government plans to reform consumer credit law strengthen or weaken our rights? Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 15th July, 2023)

Millions of people are booking their holidays right now, but with hundreds of flights already cancelled and the threat of air traffic control strikes looming, how do you fight for your rights if your travel plans get disrupted? What's the best way to manage your money overseas? And how is the cost of living impacting people's plans if you are lucky enough to be getting away?The experts in this podcast are: Cathy Adams, Senior Content Editor (Travel) at The Times and Sunday Times, Alan Dean, Managing Director at CoverForYou and Cedar Tree, and Sean Tipton, Media Relations Manager at the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).Presenter: Dan Whitworth Reporter: Sarah Rogers Researcher: Luke Smithurst Producer: Amber Mehmood Editor: Elisabeth Mahy(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 12th July, 2023)

New data shows more than 700,000 households across Great Britain have missed out on £300 million worth of support with their energy bills. The government said in February 900,000 households were eligible to apply for a one-off £400 payment because they did not have an energy supplier that would apply it automatically. The government said it had spent more than £50m 'supporting households without a domestic energy supplier', but this data suggests just over £300 million of the possible £360 million in Great Britain had not been claimed before the deadline. The big high street banks have been told to be more open with their customers about savings rates - what will that mean in practice?And could Artificial Intelligence transform how banks decide whether to lend us money?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Sarah Rogers Researcher: Sandra Hardial Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 8th July, 2023)

Bank bosses are being asked to explain why interest rates on savings aren't keeping up with the rising cost of borrowing. The heads of Lloyds, HSBC, NatWest and Barclays banks will meet the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on Thursday.Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has already stepped in to tell banks to put up rates for savers.At the moment the Bank of England base rate is 5 per cent, following last months 13th consecutive rise. UK Finance who speak for banks say "savings rates are driven by a number of factors," not just the base rate.Laura Suter, head of Personal Finance at AJ Bell and Kirsty Stone, Chartered Financial Planner at The Private Office, are here to help make sense of your savings.Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 5th July, 2023)

The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has stepped in to tell banks to put up the rates paid to savers after the Bank of England raised the official Bank Rate to 5%. Many mortgage rates went up at once and more have been increased this week, but the rates paid on savings by the banks have not followed them. The gap between the two has almost doubled from December 2021. We hear from Gillian who runs a business in Bromsgrove and ask how banks make decisions on savings rates.More than two million calls to a helpline for people wanting to boost their state pension have been blocked by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Minister in charge of what is called the Future Pension Centre, Laura Trott, has admitted that in the first five months of the year more than two million calls were cut off without even being allowed to join the call waiting queue. A new energy price cap comes into effect today. This will see households pay an average of 2,074 pounds a year. This is lower than the level at which government subsidies kept bills but still 800 pounds more than two years ago. We'll also look at how smart meter data is being used to research fuel poverty. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Felicity Hannah Researcher: Sandra Hardial Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 1st July, 2023)

Amidst a cost of living crisis, almost 9 in 10 young adults say that simply having enough money to cover their basic needs is classed as aspirational, according to a survey by the children's charity Barnardo's. We hear about some of the financial pressures burdening young people - from renting, to food costs and car expenses. In this podcast, BBC Newsbeat's Cost of Living Reporter, Sam Gruet, joins Felicity Hannah and Alice Haine, Personal Finance Analyst at Bestinvest.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Amber Mehmood and Sarah Rogers Reporter: Sam Gruet (Newsbeat Cost of Living Reporter) Editor: Beatrice Pickup(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 28th June, 2023)

Rising interest rates are putting pressure on those homeowners with variable mortgages, or with fixed terms due to end this year. The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has met with the big banks to discuss the forbearance options lenders can offer to customers in difficulty. We discuss the long term financial implications of options such as payment deferrals, extending the length of the mortgage or switching to interest only with Sarah Coles, Head of Personal Finance at Hargreaves Lansdown.The children's charity Barnardos is concerned about the impact of rising living costs on young people aged 18-25. The charity worked with the Co-op to survey 2,500 people in that age bracket. Almost 9 in 10 responded that having enough money to cover basic needs was considered 'aspirational', and more than half had worried about whether they could afford things in the last six months. We speak to a 20 year old care leaver about their relationship with money. And what should you do to protect large sums of money from fraud? We've been contacted by listeners in the process of buying and selling a house, wondering where to keep large sums safe until they're ready to make their purchase. Reporter Dan Whitworth has the answers. Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Sandra Hardial Editor: Beatrice Pickup