Money Box

Money Box can exclusively reveal there has been a sharp rise in the number of people applying to have water meters fitted to try to bring their bills down. The data has been shared with this programme by the Consumer Council for Water, the CCW, the which speaks for water consumers in England and Wales. It comes after record April price rises for water with average bills rising more than £120 to over £600 per year. Cash ISAs appear to have been reprieved - at least for now. Until Friday morning there was widespread speculation that the Chancellor might announce on Tuesday that the amount you could put into a cash ISA would be slashed from £20,000, perhaps to as little as £4000. The idea was that would fit in with government plans to encourage investment by nudging people with £20,000 to spare to use the rest of their tax free ISA allowance to invest in shares instead. However, Money Box understands that won't happen - certainly not on Tuesday when Rachel Reeves gives her annual Mansion House speech to the City of London. We'll look at what that might mean.And what does a major ruling on a divorce case in the Supreme Court mean for how wealth is split between couples in the future?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 12th July 2025)

Published: 8 August 2025

Unemployment recently rose to its highest level in almost four years. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the rate went up to 4.6 per cent in the three months to April, up from 4.5 per cent in the three months to March. That's the highest since the Summer of 2021 in which the country was in the depths of the Covid pandemic.So today on Money Box Live we're asking what happens when you lose your job? What are your rights, what kind of payout might you get and how do you manage the money during a job hunt?Felicity Hannah is joined by employment lawyer Rupa Mooker, Mike Fenn who's Head of Employee Relations at ACAS, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service and Sarah Coles who is the Head of Personal Finance at Hargreaves Lansdown.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producers: Sarah Rogers and Helen Ledwick Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first aired on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday 9th of July 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 5 August 2025

Reform of the state pension, auto-enrolment into company pensions and consolidation of small pensions spread across several providers are proposed this week in a major report on the future of pensions. It says major changes are are necessary to ensure today's workers have an adequate income in retirement. The conclusions come at the end of a two year study by the independent research organisation the Institute for Fiscal Studies, we'll speak to them about the report.Hundreds of thousands of people whose homes are heated using communal heat networks are less than 6 months away from greater protection as the industry gets ready to come under Ofgem regulation for the first time. Up until now people in homes that are on heat networks, which use a single heat source to pipe hot water to multiple households, have not had the same rights as those on mains gas or electricity, but that is about it change. What difference could the new regulations make?How could the way you get financial advice change in the future? We'll discuss new proposals by the regulator the Financial Conduct Authority aimed at helping more people get financial advice.And, what would you like to see on a new bank note from the Bank of England? Email us now [email protected] Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Jo Krasner Researcher: Eimear Devlin Editor: Jess Quayle(audio credit British Pathé)(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 5th July 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2025

In this special programme Money Box Live has been given exclusive access to a centre working with former prisoners to find out how money works behind bars.There are around 98,000 people serving prison sentences in the UK right now, but how does money work on the inside and why do offenders even need it?Felicity Hannah meets former prisoners working in the centre as they rebuild their lives. They talk about so-called 'bang up' pay, how much you can earn in prison, and the struggle some ex-offenders have getting basic financial products like a bank account on release.Around one third of ex-offenders will go on to reoffend costing taxpayers £18 billion a year as well as causing great distress to victims. So, what role can financial security play in reducing that?Felicity Hannah is joined by Andrea Coady, Head of Policy at Nacro, a social justice charity that works with offenders and Ana Caldeira, in charge of Finance, Benefit and Debt Services at the charity Catch 22, which provides money advice and support to ex-offenders.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first aired on Radio 4 at 3pm on Wednesday the 2nd of July 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 29 July 2025

Six million people will have £150 knocked off one winter electricity bill this winter. The Government has announced an expansion of the Warm Home Discount scheme which will almost double the number getting it. Who is eligible and how will people get the payment?Money Box has been receiving a steady stream of emails from members of the Teachers' Pension Scheme complaining about how their pensions are being managed. With more than 2 million members and liabilities of £278 billion the TPS is one of the largest in the UK. So what is going on? Dan Whitworth investigates.Child maintenance is a regular financial payment made by a parent who doesn't live with their child to help support the child's living costs. This week the government has announced plans for some significant changes to the way those payments are collected and transferred. We'll explain what's changing.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Studio Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 28th June 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 25 July 2025

More people are living alone, in fact 3 in 10 households are made up of single adults, according to the latest government figures.Research from the pension specialist Royal London also suggests single people are more likely to be in their overdrafts at the end of the month and have smaller savings and pension pots than married couples.Today, we're looking at the impact of the single supplement, from travel costs to inheritance tax thresholds as well as hearing from those very much enjoying their financial freedom.Joining presenter Felicity Hannah is Sarah Pennells, Consumer Finance specialist at Royal London and Laura Suter, Director of Personal Finance at the investment platform AJ Bell.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producers: Sarah Rogers and Helen Ledwick Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast on at 3pm on Wednesday the 25th of June 2025 ).

Transcribed - Published: 22 July 2025

It was a momentous day on Tuesday as the government and regulators announced major changes in the way investments will be sold. What's been proposed and what's the role of the regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, in that?Inflation rose to 3.6%, this week the highest it has been since January 2024 - what's behind that?And two of the UK's leading end of life charities have told Money Box people given less than 12 months to live should not have to pay Council Tax before they die. The call from Marie Curie and Hospice UK comes just a few weeks after Manchester City Council became what's believed to be the first local authority in the UK to introduce such a scheme. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Jo Krasner Researcher: Eimear Devlin Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 19th July 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 19 July 2025

Campaigners say more needs to be done to help the parents and carers of tens of thousands of disabled young adults access their own money held in Government backed Child Trust Funds. The Financial Inclusion Commission has told Radio 4's Money Box it wants the Government to officially endorse an informal process that some financial providers are already using to help grant access in days, instead of months or, in some cases, not at all. The cost of insurance might be falling but if you choose to pay monthly then you could be paying an extra 20-30% more. The Financial Conduct Authority has been carrying out a study into the market but what can it do to help protect people who can't afford to pay the whole amount up frontAnd we also look why a record number of people are taking money out of their pension pot as soon as they're able to at the age of 55. What could be the impact on your financial situation later in life?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth and Jo Krasner Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Catherine Lund Editors: Sarah Rogers and Justin Bones

Transcribed - Published: 19 July 2025

Three quarters of financial firms are already using Artificial Intelligence, according to the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority, with more set to follow in future.Last month a new inquiry by the Treasury Committee began looking into the potential impacts of AI in banking, pensions and other financial services.So what does that all mean for your money? We speak to the experts about how it's being used, the rise of the chat bot and how to spot AI scams after one woman lost £10,000 to fraudsters. Joining Felicity Hannah this week are Gbenga Ibikunle, Professor and Chair of Finance of Edinburgh University and Jana Mackintosh, Managing Director for Payments and Innovation at UK Finance. Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers and Catherine Lund Editor: Sarah Rogers(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Radio 4 on the 18th of June 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 15 July 2025

We'll discuss proposals to reform the bailiff industry, hearing from a man whose small parking fine ballooned into a debt of more than £400 once bailiffs got involved. Paul Lewis interviews the minister responsible for the planned changes: will they be fair on both creditors and debtors and will they bring rogue bailiffs into line?Also, the Chancellor's changes to the Winter Fuel Payment have been broadly welcomed by Britain's pensioners, but how easy will it be for them to manage the payment when it comes to filling in their tax returns? With the help of a personal tax expert, we try to answer your questions.And what are Premium Bonds and what are your chances of winning a prize? We've got the definitive guide with Sir David Spiegelhalter, Emeritus Professor of Statistics at the University of Cambridge.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Eimear Devlin Researcher: Jo Krasner Editors: Jess Quayle and Rob Cave(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 14th June 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 11 July 2025

New research, seen exclusively by Money Box, suggests a third of households in England and Wales are trying to cut the amount of water they use to help reduce their bills. The research comes from the Personal Finance Research Centre at the University of Bristol which worked with the Financial Fairness Trust to speak to 6,000 households about their money situation. On water bills, 34% said they're using less to try to cut their bills with around 30% saying their bills have increased "a lot" over the past 6 months. What can people do to bring their bills down?Some major mortgage lenders have been relaxing their lending rules to make it easier for people to borrow the money to buy a home. They have been encouraged by a letter from the regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, which reminded them that they had flexibility around what is called the stress test, which is supposed to ensure borrowers can meet their monthly payments even if rates rise or their circumstances change. What does that mean for the risks around lending?The listeners puzzled by a 25p rise in their state pension because of a rule that started back in 1971.And, how much do you know when it comes to savings? If you don't know your Premium Bonds from your ISA and where to put your money to make the most out of your cash, we'll give you a little bit of help.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth, Peter Ruddick and Jo Krasner Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Rob Cave Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 7th June 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 4 July 2025

Hundreds of millions of pounds was stolen from people in 2024 by thieves who tricked them, manipulated them, and then drained their bank accounts. The latest figures from UK Finance show that more than £450m was handed over to criminals in that way. That was slightly less than in 2023 but there were fewer cases - down 20% to just under 186,000. So those who were robbed lost more - an average of more than £2,400. What kind of scams were most common and what can you do to avoid them?There have been several high profile cyber attacks on businesses recently. But apart from downed deliveries and empty shelves, what impact can they have on other areas of a business that weren’t directly attacked?Major changes to the laws about making a will have been proposed to the government by the Law Commission. Its job is to recommend changes in the laws in England and Wales to improve or simplify them. And what should people do if they think they’re owed compensation by their energy company following the prepayment meter scandal?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Sarah Rogers Researcher: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast at 12pm on Saturday 31st May, 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 27 June 2025

Hundreds and thousands of sole traders and landlords are facing a significant change in how they file their tax returns. In less than a year 800,000 people with a turnover of above £50,000 who fill out self assessment tax returns will have to fill out summaries four times a year, and then do their final self assessment too. It's all part of something called "Making Tax Digital". Paul Lewis interviews James Murray who is the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury.Hundreds of millions of pounds has been paid out to people who were underpaid their state pensions. We'll discuss who they are, and talk about another group of people who could be eligible but haven't claimed. And, listeners who volunteer with community groups like film clubs, girl guides and charity fundraising groups have been contacting Money Box upset over new charges they're facing to use their bank accounts. What options are there for those affected?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 24th May 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 20 June 2025

The fight against what is called push payment fraud - when victims are groomed and manipulated into transferring money to criminals - took a huge step forward in October when new regulations for banks and other finance companies were introduced to make the banks involved liable for the losses. It was the result of years of campaigning which Money Box has reported on from the very beginning. Now the first set of figures since then shows it is working better, but still not perfect. We'll hear from David Geale the Chief Executive of the Payment Systems Regulator.This week, some of Britain's biggest pension funds have pledged to invest more of the money they look after into UK assets. Seventeen major workplace pension providers have signed the Mansion House Accord, a voluntary initiative which commits them to invest at least 10% of the pension funds into what it calls 'private markets' with half of that invested in the UK. The Treasury says this commitment will drive more investment into infrastructure and businesses, while driving higher returns for savers and reducing risk through diversified asset holdings. We'll speak to the Chief Executive of The People's Pension which is the UK's largest workplace pension fund.If you get child benefit for a child aged 16 or over it will stop on 31 August unless you tell HMRC to continue paying it. What do you need to know?And are we becoming too reliant on digital banking when we should all have some cash for emergencies?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth, Eimear Devlin and Catherine Lund Researcher: Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 17th May 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 14 June 2025

Earlier this spring the Financial Conduct Authority warned that some banks and firms lack empathy when dealing with bereaved customers and called for them to do more. Money Box Live received a huge response from our listeners when we covered the story, with emails from listeners about how they coped with their grief while managing finances following the death of a loved one.Felicity Hannah is joined by lawyer Gary Rycroft and Sarah Middlemiss, from the end of life charity Marie Curie, to answer those questions and hear those experiences.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Catherine Lund and Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Radio 4 on the 14th of May 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2025

Around 1 in 2 people living in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime according to Cancer Research UK. That stark statistic is a reminder how the disease can impact families up and down the country, but it's not just the health of people diagnosed that can forever be changed. The finances of those who survive the disease can also be devastating too. We'll hear from a man recovering from a cancer diagnosis about how it impacted his life, and speak to a charity that is calling for better financial support for cancer survivors.As the Bank of England cuts interest rates to 4.25%, we’ll discuss what the best deals are at the moment. Data shows that while some lenders are offering deals at less than 4%, you’d need a big deposit and have to pay a fee, so what is out there and who can get it?And investment platforms should be required to pass on voting rights to shareholders. That's the call from the trade body, the Association of Investment Companies. If you buy a share in a company you have the right to vote on corporate decisions. At the moment, some investment platforms pass on the right to vote, others require you to opt-in, some don't pass on the rights at all and some even charge to do it. The AIC wants that to change so that all platforms are required to pass on the rights, which would require a change in the law. In response, the Personal Investment Management and Financial Advice Association says a wholesale change to regulation to force this issue could result in significant costs to firms and an overwhelming level of paperwork for customers. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle (First broadcast on Radio 4 at 12pm on Saturday 10th May 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 6 June 2025

If your home isn't working for you, should you pack up and move or get the builders in and improve?Moving is expensive, aside from the price of the house there's Stamp Duty and solicitors fees to think about. So, is it worth getting the builders in instead if you're desperate for an extra bedroom? Insurance firm Aviva predicts 7 million of us will renovate over the next two years, spending an average of £14,000 each. But what happens if the renovations go wrong, you run out of money, or you're hoping to move but no-one wants to buy your home?Felicity Hannah is joined by Beth Rudolf from the Conveyancing Association and Harvey Fremlin, Managing Director at The National Self Build & Renovation Centre.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers/Helen Ledwick Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Radio 4 on the 7th of May 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025

People over the age of 60 hold nearly £3 trillion of wealth in the value of their homes, almost all of it mortgage free. That is more than half of all housing wealth in the UK. Under 35s by contrast control only £600 billion and half of that is mortgaged. These startling figures were published recently by the upmarket estate agent Savills which has analysed housing data in Britain for many years. It says this disparity between young and old has never been bigger.MPs, charities and free debt advice providers are calling for an urgent change in the law to help protect the finances of thousands of domestic abuse survivors. At the moment people, mainly women, who are left in debt after fleeing abusive relationships normally have to have their names and addresses published as part of the process of getting that debt written off. Something campaigners say not only puts their personal safety at risk, but can also put them off addressing financial problems altogether. The government has said its currently reviewing this matter and will update in due course.And, annuities are a safe, regular income in retirement. You can use your pension fund to buy one and a growing number of people are doing just that. Sales of annuities have seen an 83% increase since 2020, based on figures from the Association of British Insurers. We'll discuss what's behind that rise.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Jo Krasner Researcher: Catherine Lund Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast at 12pm Saturday 3rd May 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 31 May 2025

In an exclusive interview with this programme the Pensions Minister has talked about the government's plans to reform the UK's pension system. Torsten Bell has said that pension schemes should be moving more of members' money out of shares and into infrastructure projects where returns are higher. And he announced a new plan this week to bring millions of small pension pots together into one multibillion pound so-called 'consolidator scheme'. Hear that interview with Paul Lewis in full.Banks, building societies, utility suppliers and pension providers "must do far better" when it comes to helping people deal with the finances of loved ones who've died. That's what the Chief Executive of Hospice UK, Toby Porter, has told this programme. We'll discuss best practice and what can be done to improve poor service.And a government savings scheme designed to help people on low incomes is being extended and widened. How does Help to Save work?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Catherine Lund and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast 12pm Saturday 26th April 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 24 May 2025

Parents typically pay an average of more than £80 per week for a childminder and £66 per week for after-school club, to cover the hours they're working. That's according to the latest data from the charity Coram Family and Childcare.This week a new trial of free breakfast clubs launched at 750 schools across England, and the government says it'll save parents as much as £450 in childcare costs. Wales and Scotland already have programmes to provide free breakfasts to children in some primary schools. In this programme Money Box Live discusses what help is available to try and cut the costs of wraparound care.Felicity Hannah is joined by Lydia Hodges, Head of Coram Family and Childcare, and Laura Suter, Director of Personal Finance at the investment platform AJ Bell.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(The episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Wednesday the 23rd of April 2025).

Transcribed - Published: 21 May 2025

Money Box investigates fees being charged of teenagers who are struggling to access their child trust funds. We speak to an 18 year old who agreed to pay a claims management firm 25% of his fund plus VAT, not realising he could do it for free. Lord David Blunkett was in government when Child Trust Funds were created in 2002, he tells Money Box that the unclaimed public money sitting in CTFs should be going to young people not firms looking to cash in. Gold has seen rising prices this week in response to global markets turmoil. The precious metal is traditionally seen as a safe investment during times of economic turbulence. We look at the pros and cons of investing in gold and the different ways to do it. Bank branches continue to close and in some remaining branches hours or services are being reduced. We hear from a Money Box listener who struggled to make a face to face appointment at his local bank branch. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Sarah Rogers Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Beatrice Pickup(First broadcast at 12pm Saturday 19th April 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2025

New analysis shows that some parts of England have waiting lists for social housing that exceed 100 years. Recently the government pledged £2 billion of new investment to build up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes. But will that be enough? Felicity Hannah is joined by Jasmine Basran of the housing charity Crisis, and Alastair Smyth of the National Housing Federation.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Neil Morrow and Sarah Rogers Editor: Beatrice Pickup

Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2025

The stock markets have been on somewhat of a roller coaster since US president Trump announced global trade tariffs. Listeners emailed Money Box to tell us about the impact of the fall out in their pensions and investments. The advice from the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association which speaks for pension companies is 'if you still have many years until you retire, you have plenty of time to recover short-term price falls'. But, what happens if you're retiring right now and you've seen your pension plummet? Also on the programme, the amount we owe on our credit cards is at record levels, topping £73 billion. But is increased borrowing an indication of consumer confidence or personal crisis?And do you know you state pension age? Research suggests many of close to retirement don't.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Output Producer: Craig Henderson Editor: Sarah Rogers(This episode was first broadcast on Saturday the 12th of April on BBC Radio 4)

Transcribed - Published: 10 May 2025

US Trade tariffs, stock market ups and downs, economic uncertainty. What do they all mean for your money?Since last Wednesday, when Donald Trump announced huge increases in tariffs for goods being imported by the USA, global stock markets have been in turmoil. Money Box Live is discussing what these events might mean for your personal finances, over the short, medium, and longer term. Felicity Hannah is joined by Russ Mould of AJ Bell, and Kirsty Stone of The Private Office. And they'll be taking questions from listeners. Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Eimear Devlin Producer: Neil Morrow Editor: Jess Quayle

Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2025

Stock markets around the world have plunged in reaction to the import tariffs imposed by President Trump and then the retaliation of China which responded with its own tariffs on American goods. Economists have warned that this trade war could seriously damage the world economy, and make all of us poorer. By the end of Friday shares traded in London had fallen nearly 5% in price. What does that mean for investments?The earnings limit on Carer’s Allowance is to rise this week. From 7th April working carers can earn up to £196 per week after certain deductions, the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage, and continue to claim Carer’s Allowance. That's an increase of £45 compared to the previous earnings threshold. But what, if anything, does that mean for the thousands of carers who're in debt because they unwittingly got overpayments of the benefit?Last year we tapped our cards 19 billion times in shops, pubs, cafes, and retail outlets without using our PIN. At the moment the upper limit for contactless card payments in person is £100, but regulators are considering raising it or even scrapping it altogether. What would that mean in practice?And, a reminder to get your postage stamps before the cost of them goes up.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Peter Ruddick and Dan Whitworth Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast at 12pm Saturday 5th April, 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 3 May 2025

The cost of just about everything we need to run a home will be more expensive for millions of households from Tuesday. Switching on the lights, turning on the heating, turning on the tap, calling your mum or your best friend, logging on to emails, will all cost more with rises usually well above the rate of inflation. We'll have tips on how to tackle those bills if you're struggling to pay them.A payment service provider for hundreds of schools has decided to cease trading in the UK. What does this mean for parents who still have money on their accounts?And hundreds of thousands of better off parents who claim Child Benefit should soon have a simpler way of paying the tax they owe on it. Some higher earners who’ve had to register for self-assessment to pay something called the ‘High Income Child Benefit Charge’ will soon be able to pay it via PAYE. What does the announcement, which was in the Spring Statement, mean in practice?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast at 12pm Saturday 29th March, 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 26 April 2025

As the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, presents her Spring Statement, Money Box Live sifts through the details about what it all means for your personal finances.Changes to the welfare system have already been announced. It will be harder to claim a disability benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP) under plans which the government says will get more people into work. We'll analysis any new details on that.The Spring Statement comes ahead of big plans already announced in last year's Autumn Budget such as changes to stamp duty for home buyers and an increase to National Insurance Contributions for some employers, so as well as dissecting new announcements we'll also remind you what else coming in and when.Felicity Hannah is joined by Sarah Pennells, Consumer Finance Specialist at pensions company Royal London; Elsa Littlewood, Tax Partner at the accountancy firm BDO and Mike Brewer, Chief Economist and Deputy Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Reporter: Emma Smith Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Wednesday 26th March, 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2025

We report from Parliament as the Minister for Energy Consumers and the regulator Ofgem face questions from MPs about the banned process of back-billing. That's when energy suppliers wrongly send new bills for energy use longer than 12 months ago. We'll get reaction from Labour MP Bill Esterson who is the Chair of the House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero committee, which sat on Wednesday.And the biggest shake-up to benefits in a decade was announced by the government this week. It hopes the changes will ultimately save it five billion pounds a year from a benefits bill which Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told Parliament was 'a failing system that is currently not sustainable'. She proposed major changes to some benefits, what will this mean in practice?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Eimear Devlin Researcher: Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 22nd March 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 19 April 2025

There will be no compensation for more than 46,000 people who lost thousands of pounds each when the funeral plan firm Safe Hands went bust 3 years ago. The regulator - the Financial Conduct Authority - was told this week it should consider compensating them after a report by Rachel Kent, the Complaints Commissioner, set out the FCA's failings over Safe Hands. In response, the FCA has said it does not accept it was at fault, that it did not regulate the funeral planning firm at the time, and no compensation would be paid. This month the Government has announced plans to scrap new leasehold flats, replacing it with a system called commonhold already used in Scotland where homeowners collectively own the building and the land. But how will the planned improvements to the rights of existing leaseholders work? There's changes to how 'side-hustlers' report their earnings to HMRC, but it's not a tax cut, how will that work?And there's extra money to help pensioners in Northern Ireland with their heating bills.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Eimear Devlin Researcher: Jo Krasner Editor: Sarah Rogers.(This programme was first broadcast at 12pm Saturday the 15th of March 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 12 April 2025

Over the past few weeks there's been speculation over the future of ISAs - Individual Savings Accounts. At the moment each saver can deposit up to £20,000 each tax year into an ISA tax-free, but there have been reports that the Treasury is considering making some changes. Things like lowering the limit to £4,000. In a statement to Money Box the Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that while it's important to support people to save, they want to get the balance right. She wants to create "more of a culture in the UK of retail investing." What does that mean and what might change?Some listeners have been experiencing delays after trying to boost their state pension by filling old gaps in their National Insurance record. At the moment a window is open for people who have not yet reached pension age and those already on the new state pension to fill gaps in their record back as far as 2006. But in just a few weeks time that window will close. The government told us that it's processing payments as quickly as possible and that people who at least take the first step by 5 April will still be able to fill those gaps.Are water companies banned from sending out bills for water used more than 12 months ago as energy suppliers are? And more than 35,000 people who were aged 55 or over took out new mortgage loans in the last 3 months of 2024, up 30% on the year before, what's behind the rise?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 8th March 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2025

From April water bills for millions of households in England and Wales will go up by record amounts. Exactly how much more you'll pay will depend where you live but, on average, bills will increase by more than £10 per month meaning a total average cost of over £600 a year. What can you do if you're struggling with those bills?There's just a month left for people in the process of buying a home in England and Northern Ireland to complete the sale before stamp duty rises on April the first. Some estimates suggest there could be tens of thousands of buyers who will miss that deadline by just a few days. What can you do if you're trying to hit that deadline?Train fares in England and Wales will go up on Sunday. At the same time, most railcards, which give you cheaper fares in England Wales and Scotland, will cost you more. We'll have more on that.And energy prices will also go up in April. We’ll take a look at the issue of standing charges. Why do they vary regionally, and how might Ofgem’s proposals to reform them work?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Haider Saleem Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 1st March 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 29 March 2025

Politicians, banks and builders all talk about the dream of homeownership, but it's not easy to get on the property ladder.New figures given to Money Box Live show that, even though the Bank of England has reduced interest rates, it's now more expensive for a first-time buyer with a 10% deposit than it was two years ago. In this Money Box Live we hear from someone trying to save enough for a deposit, someone trying to navigate through conveyancing to complete their sale - and someone who overcame the obstacles and challenges to move into their dream home.Felicity Hannah is joined by Sarah Tucker, Director and Founder of the broker the Mortgage Mum and Emily Williams, Director, Residential Research at the estate agent Savills.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producers: Sarah Rogers and Catherine Lund Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast at 3pm on Wednesday 26th February 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2025

The energy regulator Ofgem says suppliers must take urgent action to find out how widespread a problem back billing is. It's when suppliers send out new bills for electricity and gas from longer than 12 months ago, a practice that was banned in 2018. The development follows Money Box's investigation which discovered thousands of people have wrongly been receiving back bills. Paul Lewis interviews Tim Jarvis, Director General of Markets at Ofgem.And unspent pension pots will be subject to inheritance tax from 2027. This change, announced by Rachel Reeves in the Autumn Budget, means most unused pension funds will be included within the value of a person’s estate for Inheritance Tax purposes from 6th April 2027. Money Box has been getting lots of emails from listeners who're now reconsidering their financial planning and are worried and upset about the new rules. The Treasury told us it continues to incentivise pensions savings for their intended purpose of funding retirement instead of them being openly used as a vehicle to transfer wealth. But how will the new rules work?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Sarah Rogers Researcher: Eimear Devlin Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 22nd February 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2025

People owe more money for gas and electricity bills than ever before. New calculations from the energy consultancy firm Baringa reveal the average typical energy debt is £1,500 - that's up £300 in a year. The total owed to energy companies is 3.8 billion pounds, which is almost double what it was two years ago.Energy prices are also forecast to rise by 5% from April, adding £85 a year to household bills meaning a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity would pay £1823 a year.In this Money Box Live, we're finding out how to manage energy debts and how to avoid getting into the red in the first place.Ruth Alexander is joined by Matthew Sheeran from the free debt advice provider, Money Wellness, and Eleanor Taylor from Baringa.Presenter: Ruth Alexander Producers: Sarah Rogers, Catherine Lund and Neil Morrow Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm on Wednesday 19th February 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2025

The energy regulator Ofgem has been given less than two weeks to get answers for Parliament on the banned practice of back billing, which is when people are sent new bills for energy used longer than 12 months ago. In a letter written to the Chief Executive of Ofgem the chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero committee highlights Money Box's recent investigation into back billing, saying he considers there to be evidence of serious wrong doing on the part of energy suppliers and the need for intervention on the part of the regulator. Ofgem told Money Box it's reviewing supplier billing practices and "looking closely at supplier compliance with back billing rules to make sure customers get the service they are entitled to." For the first time since our investigation began Paul Lewis interviews Dhara Vyas, the chief executive of Energy UK, which represents energy suppliers.State pensions paid to tens of millions of people will go up in April by 4.1%, but depending on how your pension is paid - weekly or monthly - some people may not get the extra money until May. How to make sure you get it as soon as possible.And people who get into debt often find that it gets worse because of the high interest rates they are paying. Often they are only paying interest not reducing the amount owed at all. A new scheme by credit unions is trying to solve that by giving an affordable loan to people in debt at a low rates of interest so they can pay off their expensive debt and afford the repayments on their new debt. How will it work?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Peter Ruddick Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner. Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 15th February 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2025

We all dream about what we will do when we don't have to work anymore. The perfect retirement looks different for everyone, from travelling the world and luxury holidays to spending more time with family and friends, but the cost of stopping work can be bit of a wake-up call.In this Money Box Live we'll look at how to make the most of the savings you have as retirement approaches to how to start planning for retirement at the start of your career.Felicity Hannah is joined by Sangita Chawla, Managing Director at Standard Life and Zoe Alexander, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association to answer your questions - and offer tips on how to plan for a good retirement.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Catherine Lund Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast at 3pm Wednesday 12th February, 2025.)

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2025

The Chair of the House of Commons Energy Security Committee has told Money Box that the behaviour of the energy firms is "outrageous" following our investigation into so called back-billing. That's when energy firms send out a new bill for gas or electricity which was used more than 12 months before. Last week we reported that thousands of people have complained that is still going on. Energy UK, which speaks for the big suppliers said if customers think they are being asked to pay for energy covered by the back-billing policy, they should contact their supplier as soon as possible to resolve the complaint quickly and efficiently. The Department for Work and Pensions asks executors and families to repay state pensions it has sent to people who have already died. It says it asks for it back to protect public funds, but do you have to pay?And high interest rates means more people paying tax on interest savings, but how do you know and what are the rules?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Jo Krasner and Eimear Devlin Editor: Sarah Rogers(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 8th February 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 8 March 2025

Paying for care in later life is something many of us will face. Unlike other NHS services, social care is not free at the point of use, the average annual care home cost is £60,000, if additional care is needed that price will go up. After a recent special Money Box Live from Grange Care Residential Home in Sheffield we received so many questions that we simply couldn't get through them all on air, so we've raided the inbox and brought in the experts to return to the topic to answer as many was we can.From how to plan to pay for care, what your money pays for, and how to challenge fees, Felicity Hannah, is joined by Tish Hanifan, the Founder of the Society of Later Life Advisors and Vic Rayner, CEO of the National Care Forum and Chair of the Care Providers Alliance.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Catherine Lund/Sarah Rogers Editor: Sarah Rogers(This programme was first broadcast at 3pm on Wednesday the 5th of February, 2025).

Transcribed - Published: 5 March 2025

Thousands of people have made complaints to the Energy Ombudsman related to so-called back billing, which is when customers are sent new bills for energy use longer than 12 months prior. The practice was banned by the regulator Ofgem in 2018 but is still causing consumers problems. In the cases investigated by Money Box customers had to complain multiple times before their suppliers recognised they'd broken these rules and cancelled the bills. Ofgem says it's committed to reviewing billing practices while the trade industry body Energy UK says suppliers are continuously working to improve practices.Is the Lifetime ISA fit for purpose in 2025? That's the question being asked as Parliament's Treasury Committee calls for evidence about whether it is still an appropriate financial product nine years after it was created. We'll discuss how it works successfully for some, but also the problems some people face.The price people in England and Wales pay for water and sewage services will rise sharply from 1st April. Figures announced this week revealed that households in England and Wales will pay on average £123 a year more for their water. What can you do if you're worried about affording your bills?And thousands of people in Northern Ireland are still without power after Storm Éowyn last week - what help is available?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Eimear Devlin Researcher: Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 1st February 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2025

Research from charity Scope suggests that disabled households have to find an extra £1,000 pounds a month to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households. Extra costs include, heating, equipment and transport. Having a disability can also mean navigating the benefits system - a system that Chancellor Rachel Reeves said today would undergo reform by the spring, as the government struggles to manage the rising cost of claims.Felicity Hannah is joined by Dan White from Disability Rights UK and Sarah Coles, Head of Personal Finance at Hargreaves Lansdown.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 29th January 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2025

Over 1.4 million pensioners unexpectedly received a tax bill last year, according to exclusive data shared with Money Box. The mutual life, pensions and investment firm Royal London says its research suggests more than two thirds of those who'd retired paid tax on their pension income last year. But, also, that 1 in 7 of those didn't expect to do so. Pensioners can pay tax on anything that counts as income if it goes over the personal tax free allowance of £12,570 a year. We'll discuss how that works.A record number of people in England and Wales who were overwhelmed by their debts took out what is called a debt relief order last year. DROs freeze people's debts for 12 months and then write them off. They're a cheaper, more straightforward alternative to bankruptcy although there are serious financial implications and strict criteria about who can apply for them. We'll find out more about what's behind that rise.Savings rates are still high but there's £300 billion in bank accounts earning nothing, what's behind that?And, unexpected mobile and broadband mid-contract price rises are now banned after a change by the regulator. What does that mean?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 25th January 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 22 February 2025

Car, home, travel and life insurance are just some of the policies we might take out to protect ourselves if the worst happens.This year we've already seen floods followed by freezing temperatures and property claim pay outs hit £4.1 billion last year according to industry figures.So this week we look at whether insurance companies step up when we need them, and more widely at the rising costs of insurance, particularly for motorists.Felicity Hannah is joined by experts Mark Shepherd from the Association of British Insurers, and Sam Richardson, Deputy Editor of Which? Money.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers and Craig Henderson Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast at 3p.m. on Wednesday 22nd of January 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 19 February 2025

A senior MP has backed calls to start automatically paying out hundreds of millions of pounds to young adults if they haven’t claimed government-backed child trusts funds by the time they turn 21. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who is also chair of parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, says the move would help nearly half a million people born between 2002 and 2011 access one billion pounds of their own money that they don’t even know about. The government says the idea would be complex and costly.There has been a lot of talk on the news about gilts and the bond market. We're joined by Russ Mould, the investment director of AJ Bell, to explain what a gilt is and whether you can buy one?There's less than three months left to boost your state pension by to filling old gaps in your National Insurance record. At the moment people who have not yet reached pension age and those already on the new state pension can fill gaps in their record back as far as 2006. From this April that window will be shut. What should you do, if you think you've got gaps to fill?And, the couple who boosted their income by more than a hundred pounds a week after listening to Money Box. Find out how they did it.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 18th January 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 15 February 2025

1 in 5 parents say they're struggling with the cost of sending their children to school according to the National Parent Survey.There're uniform costs, school trips, afterschool clubs and school dinners to consider, but is there a way to keep costs down?Some changes are on the way with government plans to give every parent of a child in a state primary school in England the legal right to a half hour breakfast club, as well as limits on how many branded uniform parents have to buy. This week Felicity Hannah will hear from parents and is joined by Jo Thurston, parenting coach from Action for Children’s Parent Talk service, Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at the investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown and Neil Renton, Head Teacher of Harrogate Grammar School.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast at 3pm on Wednesday the 15th of January 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 12 February 2025

The Government made a start this week on its manifesto promise to provide free breakfast clubs in every primary school in England. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill got through its first big step in the House of Commons on Wednesday and will give every parent of a child in a state primary school in England the legal right to a half hour breakfast club for their children with food and childcare. Schools Minister Stephen Morgan speaks to Paul Lewis about the plans.New research form the housing and homelessness charity Shelter, seen exclusively by this programme, suggests more than half of those facing housing worries have been kept awake at night over the past year due to concerns about things like high rents, poor conditions and the risk of eviction. What can be done to help them?And millions of people who need to file a self assessment tax form have still not done it - and the deadline is less than three weeks away on January 31st. Listen for the Money Box guide on what you need to know.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Emma Smith, Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 11th January 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 8 February 2025

Money Box Live broadcasts from Grange Crescent Residential Care Home in Sheffield for a special programme on the cost of care.Unlike NHS services, social care is not free at the point of use. It costs an average of around £60,000 per year to live in a residential care home and considerably more if you need nursing care.Last week the Department of Health and Social Care announced a new review into care costs, but the independent commission tasked with the job will not publish it's final report until 2028.We'll be speaking to residents and family members about how they're paying their care bills and hearing from the care home manager about how it all works.Joining Felicity Hannah is Claire Rintoul, CEO of the charity Sheffcare which operates Grange Crescent Residential Care Home as well as eight others in the city, Professor Vic Rayner, Chair of the Care Providers Alliance which represents independent and voluntary adult social care providers in England and from the Society of later life advisors, Independent Financial Advisor Jonathan Rowley.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Production Coordinators: Emma Smith and Molly Pipe Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast 3pm on Wednesday the 8th of January, 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 5 February 2025

Temperatures have fallen below zero in much of the UK this week, just as gas and electricity prices rose. From New Year's Day the price cap set by the regulator Ofgem on every unit of power we use will mean the price for heating, washing and cooking for a typical household will rise by just over one per cent. A typical bill will go up £21 a year to £1,738. But, that is in fact 10% or £190 lower than the price cap set a year ago. How are people coping with costs this winter?From New Year's Day the fees private schools charge parents will be subject to VAT at 20%. Previously private school fees were exempt. The Independent Schools’ Bursars Association has told Money Box that schools are raising fees from this term by between 13% and 18%, though some are absorbing the whole cost while others pass on the full amount raising fees by 20%. What impact will that have on schools and parents? The Treasury says pupils numbers at independent schools have remained steady since 2000, despite fees increasing by around 75% in real terms since then. We'll speak to Rudolf Eliott Lockhart - CEO of the Independent Schools Association.From 1st January catching the bus could cost you 50% more. Single fares in England which had been capped at £2 have risen by a pound to a maximum of £3. What impact will that have on passengers?And 'tis the season to be - taking things back. What are your refund rights?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Emma Smith, Catherine Lund and Eimear Devlin. Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12noon Saturday 4th January 2025)

Transcribed - Published: 1 February 2025

There are 36 million pets in the UK, which doesn't include fish and other aquatics, and the cost of owning one can add up.One of the biggest bills a pet owner can face is the price of taking their animal to the vet. The Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation earlier this year into whether people are paying too much and whether they are getting information about treatment options. It says the 'unprecedented response' it's had shows the strength of feeling. Aside from that, there's the general cost of care like food and heating bills.This week Felicity Hannah is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux, dog owner, vet and current president of the British Veterinary Association and by Lisa Webb, dog and cat owner and senior lawyer at the consumer organisation Which?We also hear from an award winning dog breeder, a cat and rabbit rescue centre and even head to a dog Christmas party - although we must point out, a pet is for life, not just for the festive season.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast on Saturday the 28th of December 2024).

Transcribed - Published: 25 January 2025

Electricity and gas suppliers say they're offering hundreds of millions of pounds of additional support for customers this winter. Energy prices will rise again on New Year's Day and the latest figures from the regulator Ofgem show customers already owe suppliers a record £3.7bn in unpaid bills. We'll look at what help customers might be able to get if they're struggling to pay their bills.On Thursday the Bank of England kept the Bank Rate unchanged at 4.75%. We'll ask a mortgage broker what buyers can expect in 2025? As a deadline approaches for government funded childcare hours for some working parents – how does it work and how can they apply?We'll look back at some of the help given to Money Box listeners this year and hear music from the Barton Road Choir.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Emma Smith and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast at 12pm Saturday 21st December 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 18 January 2025

Almost half of us are making money from side hustles according to the comparison site, Finder.But how do they work, what do you need to do if you have one and when do you need to tell the tax office?We will be meeting those using their hobbies to boost their bank balances this Christmas as well as clearing up the rules around selling on online platforms.Joining Felicity Hannah is Helen Thornley from the Association of Tax Technicians and Vicks Rodwell of IPSE, the association for self-employed people. Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producers: Sarah Rogers and Neil Morrow Production Coordinator: Emma Smith Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Wednesday 18th December 2024)

Transcribed - Published: 15 January 2025