Podcasts by Money Box

Money Box Live: How to Save for Children from 2023-12-13T08:00

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 ...

Help for people in mortgage arrears and deferring your state pension. from 2023-12-09T08:00

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 th...

Money Box Live: Love and Money from 2023-12-06T08:00

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 wor...

Fraud Refunds Report and Savings Tax from 2023-12-02T08:00

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 ...

Lancaster Live: Can You Afford Your Home? from 2023-11-29T16:03

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 o...

Loan Sharks and Car Insurance from 2023-11-25T08:00

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...

Money Box Live: Fighting Back Against Fraud from 2023-11-22T08:00

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, wher...

£1.6m fraud investigation and Help to Buy from 2023-11-18T08:00

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 ...

Money Box Live: Digital Divide from 2023-11-15T15:00

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...

Energy debt and Pension Withdrawals from 2023-11-11T08:00

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 pr...

Money Box Live: Saving for Your Send Off from 2023-11-08T08:00

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, ...

Funeral Plans and Energy Credit from 2023-11-04T08:00

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 ...

Money Box Live: Cutting Energy Costs this Winter from 2023-11-01T08:00

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...

Energy Credit and Bereavement Support from 2023-10-28T07:00

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 a...

Mortgages and Part-time Work for Students from 2023-10-21T07:00

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 ...

Money Box Live: The Battle Against Rising Bills from 2023-10-18T07:00

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 t...

Rationing to pay debts and Bank Account Closures from 2023-10-14T07:00

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...

Money Box Live: Pensions, Actually from 2023-10-11T07:00

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...

Saving for Retirement and Hollywood Strikes from 2023-10-07T07:00

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 rep...

Money Box Live: How to Handle Debt from 2023-10-04T07:00

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 th...

Buy Now, Pay Later and Accessible Homes from 2023-09-30T07:00

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 ...

Money Box Live from Leeds: Student Finance from 2023-09-27T16:16

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.

Previo...

Surviving to Thriving? The High Street from 2023-09-23T07:00

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 a...

Surviving or Thriving? School from 2023-09-16T07:00

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...

Surviving or Thriving? Farms from 2023-09-09T07:00

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 bill...

Money Box: Surviving or Thriving? Households from 2023-09-02T07:00

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? W...

Money Box Live: The Mortgage Dilemma from 2023-08-30T07:00

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...

Care Homes, Consumer Duty and Stamps from 2023-08-26T07:00

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 su...

Money Box Live: Your Rental Rights from 2023-08-23T07:00

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...

NHS Prescriptions and Banks Defy Customers to Stop Fraud from 2023-08-19T07:00

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 shou...

Money Box Live: Can you afford to retire? from 2023-08-16T07:00

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...

Call to Reopen Energy Support Scheme from 2023-08-12T07:00

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 ...

Money Box Live: Your Travel Rights from 2023-08-09T07:00

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...

Energy Bill Support and AI in Banking from 2023-08-05T07:00

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...

Money Box Live: Making Sense of Savings from 2023-08-02T07:00

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 ...

Saving Rates and Pension Helpline Problems from 2023-07-29T07:00

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 ...

Money Box Live: Finance for the under 30s from 2023-07-26T07:00

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 cha...

Rising Mortgage Costs and Young People's Finances from 2023-07-22T07:00

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...

Money Box Live: Mortgage Affordability from 2023-07-19T07:00

The average interest rate charged by mortgage lenders is now much higher than many homeowners have been used to.

So what can those struggling to make repayments do - and what if any help s...

HMRC Helpline Closure and Insurance Costs from 2023-07-16T23:00

On June 12th, HMRC closed its self assessment tax helpline - a helpline that last summer people tried to call over a million times. Instead, it's directing people who want advice or who need hel...

Money Box Live: How to protect your data from 2023-07-12T07:00

A prolific cyber crime gang has stolen personal data belonging to more than 100,000 employees. It's a mass hack which has impacted organisations globally.

In the hands of criminals, your ...

Child Trust Funds and Data Breaches from 2023-07-08T07:00

Changes to how families of disabled children can access UK government-backed trust funds have been announced. Currently, parents and carers of 18-year-olds who lack mental capacity have to appl...

Money Box Live: The Cost of Owning a House from 2023-07-05T07:00

House prices have fallen by 1% compared with a year ago – the first drop since 2012 (Halifax) and as inflation remains high, lenders are increasing the cost of mortgage borrowing.

But what...

Mortgages, Tax Free Childcare and Funeral plans from 2023-07-01T07:00

Mortgages are back in the headlines this week, with the news that hundreds of deals are being pulled from the market. Since the start of last week, the total number of mortgage products on the ...

Money Box Live: Investing from 2023-06-28T07:00

The Financial Conduct Authority is concerned that young people in particular are turning to bloggers and influencers for investing advice - without fully understanding the risks. Scammers are al...

Buy Now Pay Later and Mortgage Prisoners from 2023-06-24T07:00

The Chief Executive of the Association of British Credit Unions has told Money Box his members are seeing more people applying for borrowing who already have multiple buy now, pay later loans. ...

Money Box Live: Being Widowed from 2023-06-21T07:00

When your spouse dies your world changes, from admin to organising a funeral, new widows are hit with a slew of tasks amid dealing with grief.

As well as those challenges, losing a husband...

Mobile Phone Scams and Scottish Widows from 2023-06-17T07:00

Criminals are targeting victims more effectively and exploiting banking apps on phones to steal thousands of pounds. That's the warning from one of the UK's most senior fraud officers, Detectiv...

Money Box Live: Fighting Fraud from 2023-06-14T07:00

The UK is the fraud capital of the world with hundreds of thousands of victims and billions of pounds stolen every year.

Every minute of 2022, thieves stole £2300 from bank and credit car...

Fraud and Food Prices from 2023-06-10T07:00

The banking trade body UK Finance says that every minute of 2022 thieves stole £2,300 from bank and credit card accounts. In total they took £1.2 billion from nearly 3 million people. These fi...

Money Box Live: Making Sense of Mortgages from 2023-06-07T07:00

The Bank of England is expected to hike interest rates for the 12th month in a row this week and deposit-free mortgages are back after a 15-year-long absence from the market that stretches back ...

Money Box Live: The King's Cash from 2023-05-31T07:00

To mark the Coronation of King Charles III our presenter Adam Shaw gets exclusive access to the Royal Mint to witness how new £2 commemorative coins are produced and to see its extensive archive...

Pensions and the Coronation from 2023-05-27T07:00

The prospects for many current employees hoping for a comfortable retirement looks "risky at best". That's the warning from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which has started a major review of ...

Money Box Live: Small Businesses from 2023-05-24T07:00

Small businesses represent as much as 99% of UK companies, according to government figures. They employ about half of the workforce and often contribute a vital service to local communities. The...

Self Employment and Scam Texts from 2023-05-20T07:00

This week, the Office for National Statistics employment data showed that one reason behind the increase in the number of people in work is the growth in self-employment. Though the total number...

Money Box Live: Babies and Toddlers from 2023-05-17T07:00

Raising children is expensive. It’s estimated that it costs over £200,000 to raise a child from birth to 18 in the UK.

In this podcast we hear from parents about how they're managing thes...

Healthy Start and Digital Memories from 2023-05-13T07:00

It's estimated that more than 200 thousand low income parents --in England, Wales and Northern Ireland -- are missing out on government assistance to help them buy food for their children. The ...

Money Box Live: Learning Disability and Neurodiversity from 2023-05-10T07:00

Trying to understand interest rates, credit card changes and mortgage deals is an effort for most of us, so how do you manage if you have a learning disability?

Dan Pepper, a former Paraly...

How to grow an entrepreneur from 2023-05-06T07:00

What are your children up to this weekend? Many will be busy eating chocolate eggs and enjoying their Easter break from school.

Some youngsters are out there running businesses, balancing...

Money Box Live: New Financial Year from 2023-05-03T07:00

From 6th April, there's set to be a host of financial changes. From household bills, changes to pensions, national insurance and help for energy bills. Almost every household will be affected in...

Your Household Bills: Lincoln Live from 2023-04-29T11:58

In this special extended programme broadcast live from Lincoln, the Money Box team covers all you need to know as the financial year comes to an end and a new one begins. For many household b...

Money Box Live: Rental Health Special from 2023-04-26T07:00

Felicity Hannah and Winifred Robinson take questions on the legal rights of renters with experts Jasmine Basran from the housing and homelessness charity Crisis and Tessa Shepperson founder of t...

Rental Health: Housing benefits frozen as rents rise from 2023-04-22T07:00

Felicity Hannah starts a week of BBC coverage on the theme of Rental Health. For Money Box she examines the 3 year freeze in Local Housing Allowance (the portion of Universal Credit designed to ...

Money Box Live: First-Time Buyers from 2023-04-19T07:00

In this podcast we hear from prospective and recent first-time buyers about the challenges, opportunities and top tips on taking the first steps into the housing market.

The experts on th...

Romance scam refund and prepayment meter penalty from 2023-04-15T07:00

A Money Box investigation has resulted in a £150,000 refund for a vulnerable romance fraud victim, after their bank initially refused to reimburse. The victim's family were told that a voluntary...

Money Box Live: Budget Day Special from 2023-04-12T07:00

In this podcast we breakdown what was in the Spring 2023 budget and how the chancellor’s announcements impact your finances.

The experts on the panel are:

Laura Suter, Head of Perso...

HMRC National Insurance deadline extended from 2023-04-08T11:00

Felicity Hannah hears how HMRC have extended the National Insurance top up deadline after a surge in calls plus a listener asks if a drop in house prices means they should worry about negative e...

Money Box Live: Cost of Food from 2023-04-05T07:00

Grocery prices have increased by 17.1% in the four weeks to 19th February, meaning it’s at the highest level they’ve ever been recorded. This could mean households see over £800 extra on their a...

Rising Rents and Energy Bills from 2023-04-01T07:00

The BBC understands that the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, is expected to extend the Energy Price Guarantee at current levels for a further three months- but what does that mean for your energy bills...

Money Box Live: Working Over 50 from 2023-03-29T07:00

The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, is expected to introduce measures in his March Budget to encourage people who have retired early to return to work in-order to help revive the economy.

In thi...

Over 50s Workers and Faulty Prepayment Meters from 2023-03-25T08:00

The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, is expected to use his Budget on March 15th to introduce measures to to encourage people over 50 to return to work. Since 2019 there has been a rise in the number o...

Money Box Live: Your Pensions and Investments from 2023-03-22T08:00

With the end of the tax year fast approaching, people are looking at their finances and investments. But in a cost of living crisis with unstable markets, are they performing, and how should we...

Lasting Power of Attorney delays and Mortgages from 2023-03-18T08:00

The Office of the Public Guardian has told Money Box it apologises to its customers for the distress caused by delays in dealing with applications for Lasting Powers of Attorney. Its target is t...

Money Box Live: Are you worried about debt? from 2023-03-15T08:00

The problem of debt is never too far from the headlines at the moment. This week a group of charities - Citizens Advice, Step Change and Christians Against Poverty - told the BBC they're seeing ...

Cost of Living Crisis: Working People from 2023-03-11T00:00

The charity Citizens Advice says it's seen a sharp rise in the number of working people accessing crisis support in the past few years. In 2022, of the 200,000 people helped with a food bank vou...

Money Box Live: The Art of a Complaint from 2023-03-08T08:00

In the UK, millions of people go without the refunds, the replacements and resolutions they're entitled to - because they don’t know how to complain. In this podcast, we talk about the art of th...

Energy complaints rise to record levels from 2023-03-04T08:00

Paul Lewis hears how complaints to the Energy Ombudsman reached a record high last year. Plus, the child benefit trap that is catching parents unawares. And we hear one listener's difficult expe...

Money Box Live: Dementia and Money from 2023-03-01T08:00

It’s estimated that more than 900,000 people in the UK have dementia but that’s a number that's on the rise.

It’s a diagnosis that raises a lot of questions, from the care that might be n...

Bereavement Support and Energy Vouchers from 2023-02-25T08:00

For the first time unmarried parents will be entitled to bereavement benefits after a change in law was passed this week. Until now these benefits have only been given to a bereaved spouse or ci...

Money Box Live: Your Mortgage from 2023-02-22T08:00

In this special programme we'll answer questions on mortgages, from interest rates to what to do if you're struggling to afford yours. Perhaps you’re looking to move or you need to re-mortgage t...

Debt Advice, Mortgage Costs and Savings from 2023-02-18T08:00

As hundreds of people at two large debt advice charities face redundancy – we visit a local debt advice centre to see who they help and how.

Mortgage rates are at their highest for 14 year...

Money Box Live: How to get a pay rise from 2023-02-15T08:00

If you feel your income needs a boost, or you want a pay rise, then this is the podcast for you. We discuss top tips on how to negotiate a higher salary.

Official figures show that wages...

Mobile Phone Fraud and Pay Rises from 2023-02-11T08:00

The anti-fraud charity the Fraud Advisory Panel says banks are inconsistent and being caught off guard by the emerging and growing threat of mobile phone fraud. It's when criminals steal people'...

Money Box Live: How to fill out your tax return from 2023-02-08T08:00

As 31st January looms, there’s less than one month left for around 5.7 million Self Assessment customers to file their tax return or they may face a penalty.

More than 12 million customer...

Lasting Powers of Attorney and Tax Returns from 2023-02-04T08:00

In 2020, Lasting Powers of Attorney in England and Wales went digital. If you had permission to act on behalf of a relative who could no longer do it themselves you could download a digital cer...

Money Box Live: Happiness and Money from 2023-02-01T08:00

As the calendar page turns, so many of us also think of turning over new leaves, re-assessing what we're doing and how we are doing it. In this podcast, we are looking at the finances of happ...

Heating the homes of the future from 2023-01-25T08:00

Money Box takes a look at three innovative energy projects changing the way people heat their homes to try to improve efficiency and reduce bills.

First up is the village of Swaffham Prior...

Money Box Christmas from 2023-01-21T08:00

In a year when the cost of living has dominated so many of our programmes and of course your lives, we’ll return to some of the organisations and individuals helping families cope with rising en...

Money Box Live: Cost of Living and Charities from 2023-01-18T08:00

Christmas is a time for giving and often that means charitable donations. New research from the Charities Aid Foundation suggests fewer people are supporting good causes because of the rising c...

Scottish Budget and Cold Weather Payments from 2023-01-14T08:00

We discuss this week's Scottish Budget, from income tax to benefits. Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced that everyone earning more than £43,662 in Scotland will have to pay more income...

Money Box Live: Bereavement Finances from 2023-01-11T08:00

At some point in our lives, we all experience the death of family, friends or partners, and it is never easy. It's made worse - by what can feel like an uncaring and unnecessarily complex bure...

Where to keep warm this winter from 2023-01-07T08:00

It's going to be the coldest weekend of the year so far. We already know that typical energy bills will be double what they were last winter. So everyone is looking for ways to use less electric...

Money Box Live: Christmas Spending from 2023-01-04T08:00

As households grapple with cost of living pressures and with Christmas just around the corner, many will be looking for cheaper options for the big day.

We speak to listeners who share wit...

Loot Boxes, Pension Compensation and Bank Closures from 2022-12-31T08:00

An new report suggests children are put at risk by 'loot boxes' in video games. More than a thousand steelworkers will share compensation of £49 million for pension mis-selling, but campaigners ...

Money Box Live: Cohabitation from 2022-12-28T08:00

3.6 million couples in the UK cohabit, meaning they live together in a relationship but without getting married or civil partnered. In fact, they are the fastest growing type of family in this c...

Spray Foam, Fraud&Pay Gaps from 2022-12-24T08:00

We hear from a man whose home was valued at zero pounds which his mortgage provider said was because his loft was insulated with spray foam.

70,000 victims of fraud are sent texts by the p...

Money Box Live: Your Spending Strategies from 2022-12-21T08:00

The surge in inflation is hitting wide and hitting deep, impacting everything from energy and fuel, to food and everyday household goods. With inflation this high, the effects are leading to sig...

Autumn Statement Special from 2022-12-17T08:00

In this special Money Box we will delve into Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement and see what lies in the small print. How will changes to the support you’ll be getting to pay for your energy bills...

Money Box Live: Fighting Fraud and Scams from 2022-12-14T08:00

With hundreds of thousands of victims and billions of pounds stolen every year, the UK continues to be in the grip of a fraud epidemic. We'll discuss the conclusions of a House of Lords report...

Stolen inheritance, Fraud and Pets from 2022-12-10T08:00

A new report out today is recommending sweeping reform in the way fraud is dealt with in England and Wales. The House of Lords Digital Fraud Committee has spent six months looking at the system...

Money Box Live: Renting from 2022-12-07T08:00

There are around eight and a half million families who rent - quite a bit more than those who have mortgages - so the rise in housing costs, on top of a cost-of-living crisis, is likely to be ca...

Landlords, Heat Networks and Happiness from 2022-12-03T08:00

The interest rate rose to 3% this week affecting mortgage rates. We'll be looking at what that means for buy-to-let landlords. Many will have interest only mortgages linked to the interest rat...

Money Box Live: Your Pension from 2022-11-30T08:00

Are you one of the nearly three million people who has lost track of a pension? There is almost £27 billion that has been paid in by individuals and employers into a pension pot, but the firm ho...

Broadband and the costs of being disabled from 2022-11-26T08:00

Broadband providers have been told by the regulator Ofcom to 'think carefully' before making significant price rises. Most providers of telecoms and broadband raise their prices each spring in ...

Money Box Live: Your spending habits from 2022-11-23T08:00

Food prices are rising at their fastest rate for more than 40 years. Figures out this week from the Office of National Statistics the price of budget food is up 17% in the 12 months to September...

Energy Saving Special from 2022-11-19T12:00

The Money Box team concentrates on the biggest cost of living fear that people bring to the programme - how will I pay my energy bills when the price of everything else is rising so rapidly and ...

Money Box Live: Your tax and your money from 2022-11-16T08:00

The government has spent the past few weeks introducing and then withdrawing a confusion of financial policies, which first introduced the largest package of tax cuts in decades and then, in the...

A whirlwind week: tax, pensions, savings and mortgages from 2022-11-12T08:00

The Prime Minister has announced another U-turn in her government's tax-cut plan, in an effort to reassure financial markets. Liz Truss says she will reverse her plan to scrap an increase in co...

Money Box Live: Kids and the cost of living from 2022-11-09T08:00

As we move into a winter of record energy prices and double digit inflation, many families are facing the challenge of trying to keep costs down. But how do you educate your children about the c...

Northern Ireland energy and the cost of living from 2022-11-05T08:00

In the past week energy companies in Northern Ireland have announced increases in the price of electricity and gas. It comes as people in Northern Ireland wait to hear the details of exactly whe...

Money Box Live: Dealing with Debt from 2022-11-02T08:00

With the energy price cap rising again, and the cost of living putting pressure on many people's finances - what can you do if you are struggling with debt?

Felicity Hannah and a panel of...

Energy special: Llandudno live from 2022-10-28T23:01

As energy bills rise, Paul Lewis and the team are in North Wales for a special programme focusing on the cost of living. The team will be joined by guests offering advice and support to those ...

Money Box Live: Mortgage Special from 2022-10-25T23:00

With changes to the stamp duty threshold, some of the UK’s biggest mortgage lenders halting new home loans, and some economists predicting interest rates could double by spring, what does this a...

A not-so 'mini budget' from 2022-10-22T07:00

Paul Lewis has full details of what the mini budget will mean for your finances including changing tax rates, stamp duty alterations and support for those on low incomes. Presenter: Paul Lewis ...

Money Box Live: The Future of Cash from 2022-10-18T23:00

Ten million people would struggle to cope in a cashless society even though only 17% of payments are not made with notes and coins, the Royal Society of Arts found.

With thousands of bank ...

How Much Should It Cost To Get Out Of Debt? from 2022-10-15T07:00

As the Government begins a sector review Money Box explores personal insolvency options and why some are much more expensive than others, plus what is a deed of assignment and might you have agr...

Energy Bills, Banknotes and Coins from 2022-10-08T07:00

Today on Money Box we will mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II by looking at what will change – from our stamps to our passports. We'll speak to Dominic Chorney - an Ancient Coin Specialist at...

Money Box Live: Making savings work for you from 2022-10-05T07:00

The UK Inflation rate has hit 10.1%, the highest it’s been for 40 years, and it’s set to go even higher.

In this programme, our panel of experts hear about your saving habits and answer y...

Rent cap consultation for social housing tenants from 2022-10-01T07:00

Millions of people living in social housing in England could see increases to their rent capped next year. A consultation has been launched by the Government. If the plans go ahead it would pro...

Money Box Live: Your energy bill questions answered from 2022-09-28T07:00

In this programme we'll provide answers and advice for those worried about the cost of energy. Household energy bills will rise again this autumn to two and a half times what they were last year...

Energy bill special: Q&A from 2022-09-24T07:00

In this special programme we'll answer your questions and provide advice for those worried about the cost of energy. Ofgem has announced that the typical household energy bill for people in Engl...

Interest Free Loan Scheme to help 20,000 people from 2022-09-15T07:00

A scheme offering interest-free loans to the financially vulnerable is being expanded to reach up to 20,000 people. After a successful trial at South Manchester Credit Union the No Interest Loan...

Food Poverty from 2022-08-24T07:00

In England and Wales the school summer holiday is just beginning but Scotland and Northern Ireland are already well into their long and, often costly, summer.

But for some families the cha...

Food banks warn they are struggling to meet demand from 2022-08-20T07:00

Food banks across the UK have told Money Box they are facing increased demand, but falling donations, as the cost of living crisis bites people across the income range. This research, which took...

Gender Identity and Finance from 2022-08-17T07:00

Being transgender or non-binary means you can have a lot of extra things to manage and finances, along with the admin involved, can be a big one.

Felicity Hannah is joined by a panel of ex...

Energy costs versus incomes from 2022-08-13T07:00

Families on a low income face spending more than a quarter of the money they have left after paying their mortgage or rent on energy bills from April next year. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation s...

Holidays from 2022-08-10T06:00

After two years of Covid restrictions, much of the world has now opened back up and plenty of us are planning to take full advantage this summer.

But what if it all goes wrong? What are yo...

How changes at the top of government could affect your money from 2022-08-06T07:00

It's been quite the week in politics and on this week's Money Box we'll take a look at what it could mean for your personal finances. One of the biggest challenges the next PM will face is the e...

The Cost of Cancer from 2022-08-03T15:08

Getting a cancer diagnosis can be a scary and fraught time, before you even begin to consider the financial pressures. Affording time out of work, the cost of getting to appointments, or even th...

What do National Insurance changes mean for you? from 2022-07-30T07:00

From 6th July, everyone in work will see a cut in the taxes they pay. It's because the level of pay at which National Insurance begins will be raised. Two million people on part-time low pay wi...

Fraud from 2022-07-27T15:08

Fraudsters are always trying to get at our money, and the pandemic has changed their tactics and their access to our data.

Felicity Hannah and our expert panel discuss the latest fraud fig...

Energy firm introduces late payment charges from 2022-07-23T07:00

Scottish Power has introduced late payments fees for its five million customers saying the move "brings us in line with other suppliers" and reflect the costs of collecting debt. The change come...

Self Publishing from 2022-07-20T07:00

Do you want to write a book? How would you go about publishing one? Many people now look away from traditional publishing and towards self publishing. Whether it's doing it all yourself or using...

Single Parents from 2022-07-13T07:00

Single parents often face particular financial hardships, especially with the economy facing severe challenges and prices rising so fast. A single parent with no support can find it harder to ge...

Energy costs: your questions answered from 2022-07-09T07:00

This week, energy analysts Cornwall Insight predicted that the already record breaking price for energy will rise further and the annual cost for a typical household would be £2880, which is £90...

Spring Statement 2022 from 2022-04-20T14:30

The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, gives an update on the health of the UK economy. What will it mean for your household finances? A panel of experts will analyse what he says and we want to hear your t...

Cryptocurrency scammers steal a man's house from 2022-04-16T11:00

We report on a man who was fed up with poor returns on his savings and tried to invest in cryptocurrency instead. But he ended up losing his savings, his car, and his house as thieves stripped him ...

Russia and Pensions from 2022-04-13T14:30

How do you make sure your pensions and savings and invested ethically? Do you know where your pension is invested? How much of your money is invested in Russia? How can you put pressure on your pen...

Boosting your benefits and new online shopping checks from 2022-04-09T12:20

Buying things online will be more difficult from Monday. A new law means that every purchase will have to be authenticated by an extra process after you have put in your card number, expiry date, a...

Renting lowdown from 2022-04-06T14:30

The average UK rent has broken through the £1000 barrier for the first time and inflation is starting to push up landlords costs. How do you beat the rush for viewings? Could rent controls be a sh...

New moves to fight fraudsters faking phone caller IDs from 2022-04-05T15:53

The telecoms watchdog Ofcom has drawn up proposals to make it harder for criminals to fake caller ID when they phone people. It’s called number spoofing and happens when crooks use technology to ma...

How to stop investing in Russia from 2022-04-02T12:06

As Russian military forces continue bombarding Ukrainian cities and civilians, are your investments supporting the Kremlin's regime? International companies have been pulling out of Russian investm...

Surviving Debt from 2022-03-30T14:30

As the cost of living rises, more people are facing going into debt. Whether it’s your rent, mortgage, utility bills or credit cards, breaking the cycle of debt isn’t easy. Who can you go to when ...

Money Box is now first on BBC Sounds from 2022-03-03T04:00

Looking for the latest episode? New episodes of Money Box will now be available first on BBC Sounds for four weeks before other podcast apps.If you haven’t already, you can download the BBC Sounds ...

My job was not ‘as advertised’ from 2022-02-23T16:09

A BBC investigation has found that more than 50 people were tricked into working for a design agency that turned out to be fake. They were hired during the lockdown and convinced the company was a...

Saving face-to-face debt advice from 2022-02-19T13:24

Plans to cut back on face-to-face debt advice in favour of regional call centres have been scrapped - for now. We hear from Craig Simmons, Head of Debt Policy and Strategy at the Money and Pensions...

The Cost of Dating from 2022-02-16T17:26

Valentine’s Day, this week, may have been good, bad, ugly or plain irrelevant – but for millions of people it will also have been expensive. So in today’s Money Box Live, Adam Shaw and guests look...

Tracing lost and forgotten financial assets from 2022-02-15T08:37

You could get the best Christmas present this year, cash you thought you had lost forever! Louise Cooper and guests discuss how to trace financial assets you may have forgotten about in old bank...

Cost of living squeeze for benefits and state pension from 2022-02-12T13:45

In April, benefits and the state pension will rise by just over three per cent. That is less than half the increase in prices which is predicted by the Bank of England. So people on benefits will b...

Energy Cap Lowdown from 2022-02-09T17:37

The recent announcement of a huge rise in energy prices comes amidst wider worries about rising prices. Everyone is facing much higher energy bills and some are faced with the choice of heat or e...

Energy, employee rights and mortgages from 2022-02-05T13:12

A 54% increase in the energy price cap means a huge rise in what your provider can charge you to heat your home, keep the lights on and cook your food. The UK Government’s stepped in to help – many...

Foster Carer Finances from 2022-02-02T17:26

Before you have children, it’s important to think about the finances. And that’s just as true for anyone considering becoming a foster carer.So, what are the allowances, fees, rewards and tax i...

Heir Hunters from 2022-01-29T13:30

Long lost, wealthy relatives who’ve sadly died but for whom you “might” be the next of kin – too good to be true or the real thing? We explain how to spot the difference and how to tell the good he...

NFTs from 2022-01-24T20:09

From CryptoPunks to Bored Apes to original artwork and more, there has never been so much interest in them. Even big traditional art galleries are getting in on the action. Felicity Hannah looks a...

Fraud and energy from 2022-01-22T13:19

A Money Box investigation has discovered how a scam that saw criminals steal nearly £4m from 69 victims was barely investigated by the police – a response described by HMIC as “woeful”. Of the 69 c...

Being a Guarantor from 2022-01-19T17:17

Would you ever consider being responsible for someone else’s mortgage? Or their rent? Or a debt? What if it was someone you loved and wanted to help? That’s exactly what guarantors agree to do. ...

Energy bills from 2022-01-15T14:17

In April households are likely to see an increase of up to 50% in the cost of their energy bills. Many people already struggle to pay for gas and electricity so the upcoming price hike is expected ...

Care Leaver Finances from 2022-01-12T16:41

It takes a lot to get started in adult life - finding a flat, learning to budget, perhaps heading to university or a first job. Many new adults rely on their parents for help but more than 10 thou...

Pensions for teenagers? from 2022-01-08T13:36

Automatic pensions are suggested for 18-21-year olds, the best ways to invest your money in 2022, the tax implications of cash inducements - and the rise and fall of cheques. There is growing su...

Consumer Rights from 2022-01-06T09:42

Pyjamas and jumpers are the most unwanted gifts we receive and in the post-Christmas period about 10% of us return at least one gift to the shops. Since we spend about £80 billion over Christmas e...

How to Make Money from Unwanted Presents and Belongings from 2022-01-01T12:30

Felicity Hannah and guests discuss how to make money from unwanted presents and belongings. And they hear from listeners who sell on, re-gift and rent out.

Relationships and Money from 2021-12-29T15:30

How we manage financial relationships with the people we care about. whether it be sharing money, lending it or simply having a different view about money from your partner, it can lead to fricti...

What can you do if two suppliers bill you for the same energy use? from 2021-12-18T13:10

Money Box listener Rebecca found herself caught between two of the UK’s biggest energy firms. After moving to a new home in the summer she changed the supplier from British Gas to EDF. Then a few w...

Pioneer Zopa exits peer-to-peer lending from 2021-12-11T13:28

Sixteen years after it appeared as the first of its kind in the world, Zopa has announced it's leaving the peer-to-peer lending business to focus on banking activities. Peer-to-peer matches people...

The Cost of DIY&Home Improvements from 2021-12-08T16:07

Buying a home is likely to be the biggest investment of our lives and it’s no wonder that people want to spend money improving it. During lock down, many more of us have been laying our own patio...

'I had £18,000 stolen after my drink was spiked' from 2021-12-04T13:24

A 26-year-old believes his drink was spiked on a night out and his finger print used to unlock his smart phone allowing thieves to steal £18,000 from his bank accounts. A leading anti-fraud campaig...

Money Box wins back £145,000 for a vulnerable customer after his bank said no from 2021-11-27T13:32

A High Street bank has refunded £145,000 to a man in his eighties after Money Box intervened. Alan was persuaded by thieves to transfer tens of thousands of pounds into what he thought were investm...

Running an Online Business from 2021-11-25T08:37

What does it cost to run an online business? Small business owners share their experiences of setting up, marketing and developing their online brand with Adam Shaw and guests. If you've a stor...

Financial tips from TikTok? from 2021-11-22T09:22

Young people are turning to social media platforms like TikTok for financial advice. But how reliable is the guidance provided by usually unqualified and unregulated influencers? Reporter Anita Lan...

Credit Reports from 2021-11-18T12:06

A good credit report will improve your chances of being offered a mortgage, credit card or loan, so what influences your score, how easy is it to correct any mistakes and what can you do to boost t...

Problems with eco-homes and equity release from 2021-11-13T14:22

We're urged to be more environmentally friendly, but one listener has found he cannot release the equity he has tied up in his specially built, and officially signed off, eco-house. Is the equity r...

The Cost of Inventing from 2021-11-11T13:02

How do you turn a brilliant idea into a usable and saleable product, what does it cost to protect your design and how do you get the funding to start production? On Wednesday’s programme Adam Sh...

Voucher fraud - how employers' social media can put staff at risk from 2021-11-06T14:05

We hear from a new starter whose boss asked her to buy £800 of vouchers - but it turned out to be a scam. Employers’ social media could be putting staff at risk from fraudsters, but to whom can vic...

Support for families from 2021-11-03T17:09

Felicity Hannah talks to parents and community groups about the challenges facing many families and asks what financial and practical support is available. We'd love to hear your views and quest...

How much should the state pension rise by? from 2021-10-30T12:18

How much should the state pension rise by? Baroness Ros Altmann says pensioners are being short changed by a government plan to temporarily break the link with earnings. It'll save tax payers billi...

Autumn Budget 2021 from 2021-10-27T16:42

What will Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Autumn Budget mean for your personal or household finances? Paul Lewis and guests would love to hear your views and questions on Wednesday's Money Box Live. J...

New green savings bonds from 2021-10-23T12:11

The government has launched its new green investment bond for savers. The money raised will go to the Treasury and it says help pay for existing green priorities such as making transport cleaner an...

Turning our money green from 2021-10-20T17:18

Many financial products are labelled as green, sustainable or ethical but how can you be sure that your mortgage, investment or pension really does have a positive environmental impact? What are t...

The future of face-to-face debt advice from 2021-10-16T12:20

Debt advisers in England fear that government plans to change the way their service is funded will see big cuts in the amount of face-to-face advice available. We hear from a woman who says in-per...

Spending Black from 2021-10-13T16:07

Joice Etutu hears about some of the financial, mentoring and marketing initiatives supporting black entrepreneurs. Can business know-how and raising consumer awareness help to bring about positive ...

Small businesses 'overlooked' in energy crisis from 2021-10-09T12:13

Hundreds of thousands of small businesses are not covered by the energy price cap which sets a maximum charge for each unit of electricity and gas. The existing cap only applies to domestic custome...

Energy Prices from 2021-10-06T16:33

As temperatures drop and energy prices rise we're talking about bills, energy providers and switching on Wednesday's Money Box Live. What are your rights if your energy supplier stops trading? Wha...

Proposed changes to student loan repayments from 2021-10-02T12:12

People in England and Wales who started university from September 2012 could see their student loan repayments rise by hundreds of pounds a year. Economic abuse has grown during the pandemic. We t...

End of Furlough from 2021-09-29T16:15

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, known as the furlough scheme is coming to an end and we'd like to hear what this means for your job or your business. Are you able to work as you did before ...

Keeping energy bills in check from 2021-09-25T12:11

As the price of gas and electricity continues to soar. What more can be done to keep our bills in check? New pensioners who have turned 66 this year are facing long delays before their pension is ...

Saving for Children from 2021-09-22T15:58

Do you have a question about saving and investing for children? Whether you’re interested in easy access, regular savings accounts or thinking of stocks and shares, our panel will be ready to help...

Big growth in money mules accounts from 2021-09-18T12:19

Four energy companies go bust in a fortnight. Gas and electricity prices set to rise by 12% for millions of customers. And there are warnings of energy shortages this winter. What can consumers do...

Sending money to family back home from 2021-09-15T15:26

Many workers send a share of their wages abroad to support loved ones financially, a responsibility they may or may not be able to shoulder. In this episode Joice Etutu explores the aspirations of...

Failures on young black unemployment from 2021-09-11T12:20

Thieves are going after the millions of pounds being handed over to people reaching the age of 18 from their Government-sponsored Child Trust Funds. Why are there not more effective, targeted fraud...

Student Money from 2021-09-08T16:20

As students across the UK set off for university, we’re taking a look at the big student money dilemmas. E-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk with your experiences, ideas and questions now.From student loans ...

Bitcoin fraud totalling £500k from 2021-09-04T11:57

Money Box hears from the successful businessman who had half a million pounds stolen in three months through a Bitcoin fraud. He wants to warn people that "if it can happen to me, it can happen to ...

The Hangover: The Fiscal Fallout from 2021-08-28T11:30

Covid has been an economic crisis as well as a health emergency. In this four-part series Felicity Hannah meets families, businesses&local councils whose lives and fortunes have been changed compl...

The Hangover: Local Councils from 2021-08-21T11:30

Covid has been an economic crisis as well as a health emergency. In a new four-part series Felicity Hannah meets families, businesses&local councils whose lives and fortunes have been changed comp...

The Hangover: Business from 2021-08-14T11:30

Covid has been an economic crisis as well as a health emergency. In a new four-part series Felicity Hannah meets households, businesses&local councils whose lives have been changed completely. Who...

The Hangover: Households from 2021-08-07T11:30

Covid has been an economic crisis as well as a health emergency. In a new four-part series Felicity Hannah meets households, businesses and local councils whose lives have been changed completely....

Timeshare Holiday Ownership from 2021-08-06T12:12

How does timeshare holiday ownership work and what should you find out before signing up? On Wednesday’s Money Box Live Louise Cooper and guests look at the costs and considerations of timeshare h...

Access to accounts from 2021-07-31T12:28

A new plan has been brokered to cut down on aggressive debt collection by bailiffs. Will it work amidst fears of a post-pandemic surge in debt problems? Tesco and M&S are both closing all the pers...

Disability and Employment from 2021-07-28T15:53

How can our workplaces become an inclusive and fair environment for employees with a disability? If you’ve an idea or experience about job hunting, career support or staff retention e-mail moneybox...

Frozen Out from 2021-07-24T12:05

Thousands of people say they’ve been shut out of their bank accounts without warning or explanation. MPs are investigating whether innocent customers have been caught up in a crackdown on money lau...

MBL: Travel Rights and Money from 2021-07-21T15:48

What do you need to know about travel rights, money and insurance this summer? Adam Shaw and guests answer your questions about the practicalities and costs of travelling this year. Are you consid...

Bereavement benefits from 2021-07-17T11:55

More than 20,000 bereaved families can now claim financial support once restricted to married couples and civil partners. The payments worth up to £10,000 have been extended to cover all couples wh...

'For your protection' from 2021-07-10T12:22

When banks stop you spending your own money. Barclays and Santander have banned payments to one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges while TSB may soon stop payments to all exchanges. Why tens ...

Young entrepreneurs from 2021-07-07T15:38

What help and support is available to people with a business dream? How do you develop the skills you need to run your own business? We hear from some entrepreneurs about the experience of turning ...

Google’s investment ad crackdown from 2021-07-03T12:19

Google is cracking down on financial-scam adverts in the UK, but will it work? Campaigner Mark Taber tells us what needs to be done to stem the millions of pounds lost to bogus investment schemes e...

Community Energy Projects from 2021-06-30T16:16

Would you like to generate your electricity through a local, renewable energy project rather than buying it from a big supplier? In this episode, Adam Shaw and guests consider the costs and practi...

Left behind by the decline of cash from 2021-06-26T12:07

Should the government force banks to guarantee everyone access to cash? Age UK warns that despite the rise of digital payments, millions of people still rely on cash and the charity says it shoul...

MBL: Covid weddings from 2021-06-23T16:18

Arranging your wedding or civil partnership during Covid can be very tricky, especially as rules and restrictions change. But what are your rights if your plans are disrupted? Can you cancel and ge...

The race to avoid stamp duty from 2021-06-19T12:15

Thousands of people are struggling to complete the purchase of their new home before a big rise in Stamp Duty begins on the first of July in most of the UK. High street banks are told they are wro...

MBL: Trading in stocks and shares from 2021-06-16T16:32

Low interest rates on savings has made many people consider putting money built up during the pandemic into stocks and shares in the hope of higher returns. But what do you need to know BEFORE you ...

Bitcoin or Britcoin? from 2021-06-12T12:28

Bitcoin or Britcoin? The Bank of England has published the results of its consultation on creating a new central bank digital currency – and also the prospect of regulating other commercial digital...

MBL: Hospitality staff shortage from 2021-06-09T15:27

Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants in England Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland are now open for indoor business. But there’s growing concern about the numbers of vacancies across the ho...

MBL: Hospitality staff shortage from 2021-06-09T15:27

Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants in England Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland are now open for indoor business. But there’s growing concern about the numbers of vacancies across the ho...

DWP urged to rethink the two child Universal Credit cap from 2021-06-05T12:09

Children’s Commissioner for Wales Professor Sally Holland explains why she, along with the Commissioners for Scotland and Northern Ireland, want the DWP to drop a Universal Credit entitlement rule ...

How to complain and get results from 2021-06-02T15:21

What are you rights when making a complaint? How do you make sure you escalate your grievance to the right person? What difference can social media make in getting your grumble seen and sorted? Ad...

Continuing problems applying for National Insurance Numbers from 2021-05-29T11:54

A Money Box listener has been refused work by two employers because he was unable to provide his National Insurance Number despite the Department for Work and Pensions saying individuals can start ...

Apprenticeships from 2021-05-29T09:43

Apprenticeships allow you to earn money as you study for qualifications and gain practical experience on the job. There's a wide range of careers and industries to choose from but a recent Ofsted ...

MBL: Financing Electric Vehicles from 2021-05-26T15:19

One in four of us is considering buying an electric car, according to the energy regulator Ofgem. So, what are the finances of going electric? They often cost more to buy but the claim is that they...

FCA to force firms to treat customers better from 2021-05-22T12:28

Financial firms are being told they will be forced to treat their customers better under plans by the regulator for a new “Consumer Duty”. It will set down a higher level of consumer protection tha...

MBL: Mortgages&the Pandemic from 2021-05-19T16:11

Buying a house with a mortgage is one of the biggest commitments we make in life. The pandemic has seen households managing lower, unpredictable incomes with furlough and government grants on off...

Difficulties claiming Personal Independence Payment benefit from 2021-05-15T13:51

Many people on Disability Living Allowance are rejected when they are assessed for the newer benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Paul Lewis hears about some of the experiences of claiming ...

MBL: The Cost of Pets from 2021-05-12T15:45

Last year families spent nearly £7 billion on their furry friends. Pet ownership has soared and so has the number of services on offer for the modern-day pooch. Felicity Hannah and guests discuss...

Is new guidance on selling high rise flats fit for purpose? from 2021-05-08T12:19

Mortgage providers are refusing to follow new guidance intended to help hundreds of thousands of people who are unable to sell or re-mortgage their flats because of the cladding crisis. The Royal I...

MBL: Personal Banking and the Pandemic from 2021-05-05T15:59

The Covid-19 pandemic has placed a huge amount of pressure on banks and customers alike. How have you - and your bank or building society - adapted? Felicity Hannah and guests explore how the Covid...

How does the Direct Debit Guarantee Scheme work? from 2021-05-01T12:15

9 in 10 of us use direct debits to pay some or all of our regular bills. 4.5 billion payments were processed in the UK in 2019. It’s a simple way to pay - you sign a mandate with a business or orga...

Dementia&Money from 2021-04-28T16:38

Adam Shaw looks at dementia and money. Producer Smita PatelEditor Alex Lewis

Can number spoofing be stopped? from 2021-04-24T12:29

The regulator Ofcom tells Money Box people shouldn’t trust Caller ID. It says the spoofing of numbers can be stopped, but to do so will take years. Spoofing has been used by fraudsters to convince ...

Problem Gambling from 2021-04-21T15:58

Have you been tempted by a quick cash win, a jackpot prize or the challenge of finding a winning betting strategy? There are many forms of gambling available online and in person to engage and en...

MPs demand action on IR35 from 2021-04-17T12:18

The Loan Charge All-Party Parliamentary Group has called on the Government to take urgent action to address the exploitation of some contractors, in a new report. MPs are also demanding a governmen...

Remote Working from 2021-04-14T16:58

Working from home is changing the way we think about where we base our life and careers, but how remote can we be from our business or office? Can you live and work hundreds of miles away from you...

Why is the state pension so complicated? from 2021-04-10T12:22

More than 200 pensioners responded to a request to tell us how much their state pension was. They were nearly all different amounts. Next week the basic pension is rising to £137.60 a week and the ...

Divorce and separation during the pandemic from 2021-04-07T15:00

There’s been a rise in the number of divorces according to the Office for National Statistics along with predictions that even more couples will split as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Many ...

What might negative interest rates mean for UK banking services? from 2021-04-03T11:30

Fancy earning interest on a £10,000 loan? We’ll find out about what negative interest rates mean for consumers in Denmark and what might happen if they were introduced here. Felicity Hannah talks t...

Number spoofing facilitating fraud from 2021-03-27T14:01

All too often we hear about fraudsters using the phone to trick victims into handing over thousands or tens of thousands of pounds and destroying lives in the process. But how often to we get to he...

Debt during the pandemic from 2021-03-24T17:33

A recent report by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found that the coronavirus pandemic has driven more people into financial vulnerability. More adults in the UK have fallen into debt or have...

Homeowners speak out on gagging clauses from 2021-03-20T13:27

The government responds to Money Box’s revelation that developers are asking customers to sign non-disclosure agreements as a condition of getting problems with their new build homes fixed. We also...

Shopping and Covid from 2021-03-17T16:19

There’s no doubt that the pandemic has changed the way we live. But what impact has a year of lockdowns and restrictions had on shopkeepers and shoppers? Has the last year broken the mould for reta...

Owners of defective new homes gagged from 2021-03-13T13:29

A senior MP tells Money Box it’s “appalling” that house developers are asking some customers to sign non-disclosure agreements as a condition of fixing serious defects with new homes. A new report ...

The rise of trading apps from 2021-03-10T16:36

More people are trying their hand at trading and investing using online platforms. Much of the trend is driven by trading apps, with a rise in the number of people signing up since the coronavirus ...

Economic abuse law changes from 2021-03-06T13:17

Earlier this week the Government announced that economic abuse will be a criminal offence under the Domestic Abuse Bill. The law previously only recognised abuse that took place within a relationsh...

How might the Budget affect you? from 2021-03-03T17:29

Paul Lewis is joined by a panel of experts to discuss how the Budget might affect your finances. Panelists:Anita Monteith – Tax manager at Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales Hea...

Carers call for increase in allowance from 2021-02-27T13:37

Nearly a million carers will get an increase of just 35p a week from April. 939,000 people receive a benefit called Carer’s Allowance — currently £67.25 a week — for looking after another person wh...

Managing someone else's money from 2021-02-24T17:02

Who will take care of your affairs if you can't and how do you go about giving someone the right to manage your money? It can be a big step for everyone involved but setting up a power of attorn...

Delays on bank's fraud line from 2021-02-20T13:28

The impact long delays have when customers repeatedly call their bank's fraud line. Money Box hears about wait times of hours and hours. Paul Lewis explores why consumers are being asked to pay add...

Renting during the pandemic from 2021-02-17T16:58

Almost half a million UK households are facing rent arrears according to a report from the Resolution Foundation published this week. That's in large part the result of people losing their jobs or...

Credit ratings from 2021-02-13T13:49

Data processing and other mistakes led to huge financial costs for one Money Box listener whose credit rating went into freefall. Paul Lewis hears what went wrong and asks how similar problems migh...

MBL: Working abroad from 2021-02-10T16:40

Working from home has become more commonplace since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. With changes to the world of work, are you allowed to pack up your home office and work remotely in anot...

Caravaners denied refunds on fees from 2021-02-06T13:38

Electricity and gas bills will rise in April by an average £96 a year - an increase of 9 per cent at a time when inflation is less than 1 per cent. Ellen Fraser, energy specialist at Baringa Partne...

Financial Abuse from 2021-02-04T16:37

How do you recognise and bring an end to financial abuse? Maybe you’ve spotted that a relative is no longer eating properly, heating their home, or that money and jewellery has gone missing. Or pe...

MBL: Fraud from 2021-02-03T16:53

Fraudsters and scammers are always finding new ways to part you from your money, pressurising you to make a hasty decision or tricking you into sharing personal information. Fake investment firms ...

Self-employment income support scheme discrimination claims from 2021-01-30T13:26

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is being taken to court by mothers who claim the self-employed income support scheme discriminates against them. That's because they took maternity leave during the per...

Travel from 2021-01-27T16:56

Stay at home is the current advice but travel companies are reporting a surge in holiday bookings from those hoping for adventure later this year. Others may have rebooked atrip which was cancelle...

Students left without access to student finance from 2021-01-23T13:49

Tens of thousands of students are being denied access to student funding despite a Government pledge in 2013 to change things. The delay to an 'alternative' student finance scheme would enable thou...

MBL: Leasehold Reform from 2021-01-20T17:21

What could the new plans for leasehold reform mean for you? Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced what he calls the biggest reforms to English property law for 40 years, making it easier ...

Getting your credit balance back from your energy supplier from 2021-01-16T13:36

If there is a hundred pounds or more credit on your electricity or gas account you can get it back. We tell you how to do it and explain what the situation is if the firm has gone bust. Simon York...

MBL: Cryptocurrencies from 2021-01-13T17:17

Bitcoin values again capture the headlines, some central banks are developing their own digital currencies and PayPal and Facebook are entering the market. Digital currencies are evolving rapidly ...

Brexit and your money from 2021-01-09T14:37

For the first time since 1974 the United Kingdom is not part of the European Union, so how will this affect your finances? We look at the new Global Health Insurance card and explore why we might ...

Financial Education from 2021-01-07T09:49

How good are you with money? Are you a saver, a spender or a canny investor and where did you learn those skills - from family, school, or maybe you taught yourself through the university of life? ...

A vision of our financial future from 2021-01-02T12:30

2020 has been a tumultuous year, full of the unexpected, so what can we anticipate for our finances over the years to come? In 1998 futurologist Graeme Leach wrote a report for Barclays called ’...

MBL: Charity fundraising from 2020-12-23T16:30

It’s been a tough year for charities since the global pandemic struck but many of you have come up with innovative ways to raise money for the causes you love. The closure of charity shops and the...

Regulator "flawed approach" to minibond firm from 2020-12-19T15:07

A damning report by Dame Elizabeth Gloster finds that the financial regulator failed nearly 12,000 people who lost up to £237 million after an investment scheme collapsed. How have those who lost m...

Rise in complaints about banks to Ombudsman from 2020-12-12T13:29

Exclusive figures from the Financial Ombudsman Service show a big increase in the number of complaints about banks in relation to fraud and scams. The stats show the FOS upholds 32% of complaints o...

MBL: Shared Ownership from 2020-12-09T17:06

If you’re priced out of the housing market, could shared ownership help you onto the property ladder? Offered by housing associations and private developers, these schemes allow you to buy a share...

Fraud victims facing salary deductions from 2020-12-05T13:27

We've been hearing from listeners who’ve been contacted by Department for Work and Pensions demanding repayment of Universal Credit advances that the DWP says they’ve received. The trouble is, they...

Payment Holidays from 2020-12-02T17:05

Is taking a break from regular payments on your mortgage, credit card or a loan for example a good way to help you through financial difficulties? Charmaine Cozier asks what you should consider be...

Fraud in the Direct Debit system from 2020-11-28T13:37

Money Box has found evidence of fraud in the Direct Debit system. We hear how Ursula, pictured with her son Phil, was repeatedly targeted. But how can you protect yourself against this fraud, once ...

MBL: What does the Spending Review mean for you? from 2020-11-25T15:30

As the government lay out their financial plans for the next year, Paul Lewis and our panel discuss how they will affect your money. From pay and benefits to housing and tax, the Chancellor's annou...

Parents not able to claim Test and Trace Support Payment from 2020-11-21T13:16

Money Box investigates why parents who have to take unpaid leave to look after children who need to self isolate are unable to claim the £500 Test and Trace support payment. The Government wants t...

MBL: Record redundancies from 2020-11-18T17:19

The UK is seeing a record number of redundancies, with the latest figures showing more than 314,000 people lost their jobs over the summer. Charmaine Cozier and our panel are here to answer your qu...

Warm Home Discount 'lottery' from 2020-11-14T13:31

How do you make sure that people get advice before they cash in their pension funds early? The latest figures show that more than £2 billion was released early by nearly 350,000 people in the three...

MBL: The "excluded" self-employed from 2020-11-11T17:14

In the early days of lockdown the government announced support for the self-employed who'd had their work impacted - or even destroyed - by the pandemic. But it's estimated that more than a million...

Refused a home Covid test from 2020-11-07T13:44

A Money Box investigation has found that people across the UK are being refused home Covid tests because of their credit histories. The government uses a credit scoring database to verify the ident...

MBL: Can I afford a baby? from 2020-11-04T17:49

Felicity Hannah and our expert panel field questions on all things baby related - from parental leave and pay to saving for a baby, your legal rights, budgeting, dealing with unemployment and findi...

The end of furlough from 2020-10-31T13:48

As the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme wraps up, what are your redundancy rights? And what happens if you’re on a zero-hours contract? Gym members are being pursued by debt collector...

MBL: Lockdown Entrepreneurs Revisited from 2020-10-28T17:14

Starting a business is hard, but starting one during lockdown is harder. Louise Cooper and guests revisit young entrepreneurs who made their side hustle into their 9-5 during lockdown to see how th...

Tier 3: The last shift from 2020-10-24T12:45

The numbers of people targeted by thieves on Instagram has sharply risen during lockdown and Action Fraud is warning Instagram users to be wary of fraudulent investment posts offering ‘get rich qui...

Looking for work from 2020-10-21T16:00

If you’re under 30 and struggling to be noticed by employers our panel are ready to help. Find out which industries are hiring, how to handle CV gaps and what to focus on when you get an interview....

Why can't I get an NI number? from 2020-10-17T12:59

Money Box has learnt that thousands of people with the right to work in the UK have not been able to access a National Insurance number. Without one they may not be able to work, open a high street...

MBL: Mortgages for first time buyers from 2020-10-14T16:44

Buying your first home has always been a challenge, but amid the madness of 2020 it could be harder than ever. Adam Shaw and a panel of guests answer calls from would-be first-time buyers, from the...

Airbnb agrees to share tax data with HMRC from 2020-10-10T12:41

People who let out property using Airbnb have been warned this week that the firm will send HMRC the details of their earnings going back to 2017. It may mean that some hosts will receive surprise ...

MBL: Eviction Bans from 2020-10-07T16:10

Renters could be at risk of losing their homes because of changes to the eviction ban that was brought in to protect tenants during the coronavirus pandemic. It's estimated that landlords have lost...

City's plan to end poverty in 10 years from 2020-10-03T12:49

The costly experience of being unknowingly signed up to a phone competition service. We hear how one subscription cost a Money Box listener over £1,000 across 5 years. A new Sharia compliant inves...

MBL: Personal Insurance from 2020-09-30T15:55

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) say that 6 million policy holders are paying too much for their insurance premiums and that radical reforms could save consumers £3.7bn over 10 years. So ho...

Are car warranties worth it? from 2020-09-26T12:43

This week the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, revealed new measures to help stop mass job cuts in these economically uncertain times. This latest plan - the Job Support Scheme - was spurred on by the endi...

MBL: Armed Forces Financial Help from 2020-09-23T15:37

What financial support and guidance is available for serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their families? Joining presenter Charmaine Cozier to talk through some of the information, ...

Ex-pat bank accounts closed due to Brexit from 2020-09-19T12:30

Thousands of British people living in European countries have been told their UK bank accounts will be closed by the end of the year because of Brexit. Money Box has learnt that Lloyds Bank and Bar...

MBL: Paying for University from 2020-09-17T12:46

Tuition fees, loans, student jobs and financial help, whatever’s on your mind we’d love to hear your questions, dilemmas and advice so e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now. Ready to guide you through uni...

Concern over increase in unpaid internships from 2020-09-12T12:51

With fewer jobs and rising unemployment among young people Money Box has seen worrying evidence that the illegal practice of not paying interns is growing. Thousands of young people are locked ou...

MBL: Working From Home from 2020-09-09T15:52

If you’ve replaced the buzz of the office with working at the kitchen table we’d love to hear how it's going. Have your work-life balance, your finances, career and productivity been affected? Do...

The 'lost' Child Trust Funds from 2020-09-05T12:32

From this month, young people turning 18 can access money given them by the Government in a Child Trust Fund. All children born from September 2002 were given vouchers to invest, the idea being to...

The Money Clinic: Hollie and Jay from 2020-08-29T11:30

Eavesdrop as a couple open up to a relationship counsellor about their personal finances and their feelings. Money worries are known to put a big strain on relationships, and it can be hard to tal...

The Money Clinic: Maggie and Declan from 2020-08-22T11:30

Eavesdrop as a couple open up to a relationship counsellor about their personal finances and their feelings. Money worries are known to put a big strain on relationships, and it can be hard to tal...

The Money Clinic: Eve and Nick from 2020-08-08T11:30

Eavesdrop as a couple open up to a relationship counsellor about their personal finances and their feelings. Money worries are known to put a big strain on relationships, and it can be hard to tal...

Coronavirus and holidays from 2020-08-05T16:11

If your holiday plans are affected by coronavirus, what are your rights? Chaos caused by the pandemic has left travellers with many questions - about insurance, refunds and whether they can get a...

'We know apprenticeships work' from 2020-08-01T12:16

From now, the over 75s will have to start paying for their TV licences. We speak to the BBC’s Director, Policy Clare Sumner about what the BBC is doing about the 1m pensioners who will receive dema...

Scams from 2020-07-29T17:41

Fake emails, bogus calls, spoof texts: Fraudsters are exploiting the pandemic to fleece as many unwitting victims as they can. So how to spot a scam and keep your money safe? Join Felicity Hannah ...

'Forced' back to work with no childcare from 2020-07-25T13:33

During the health pandemic a fraud epidemic has been growing. The latest official crime survey found fraud accounts for a third of all crime in England and Wales. It costs the UK economy tens of bi...

MBL: Coronavirus and Universal Credit from 2020-07-22T16:01

If you're claiming benefits for the first time because of coronavirus, what’s your experience? Millions of people who have lost their jobs or their income since lockdown, are having to apply for ...

Massive increase predicted in need for debt advice from 2020-07-18T12:51

The organisation charged by the government to provide debt advice says it expects the number of people in financial difficulties to soar by 60% as the economic crisis begins to hit home. By late 20...

MBL: Coronavirus and Childcare from 2020-07-15T17:32

Schools partially closed, nurseries struggling to reopen, grandparents shielding, childminders grappling with social distancing and a lack of au pairs because of travel restrictions. Arguably the ...

How much of the Chancellor’s giveaway will come your way? from 2020-07-11T13:05

As quarantine is lifted and airports get ready for summer flights, are some airlines taking advantage of people who are being offered the opportunity to rebook their flights? Earlier this week Cha...

MBL: Coronavirus: Should I go to university this year? from 2020-07-08T17:01

Online lectures yet full tuition fees; socialising at a distance and virtual fresher's events - all because of the pandemic. So is it financially worthwhile going to uni this year, if you won't be...

Children duped by 'loot boxes' from 2020-07-04T13:02

Just days after a damning House of Lords report, Money Box can reveal that loot boxes in some games aimed at children have win rates of as little as 0.01%. Experts are worried this could get childr...

Bounce Back Loans from 2020-07-01T16:09

The government-backed loans designed to give small firms quick and easy access to cash during the coronavirus crisis. If you've applied for one, what's your experience? Has it saved your business f...

Paying to access your holiday refund from 2020-06-27T13:08

Listeners whose holidays have been cancelled are telling us that they are having to pay to get their money back off their credit card. With Helen Saxon, Banking Editor at MoneySavingExpert. Thousa...

MBL: Redundancy from 2020-06-24T16:20

Are you worried you’re about to lose your job because of the coronavirus crisis? Has the job retention scheme kept you afloat since lockdown – but now your boss wants to let you go? If you’re fa...

Thieves stole my identity from 2020-06-20T12:11

There's been a sharp rise in the number of people whose identity was stolen last year - up by almost 20% on the year before. It can have a devastating effect on your financial life. One listener te...

MBL: Broadband during lockdown from 2020-06-17T16:18

What’s the best way to get fast, reliable and affordable broadband during lockdown? With millions of us now working from home due to Covid-19, and children relying on the internet for online school...

Motor insurance in lockdown from 2020-06-13T13:08

Money Box listeners tell us that their requests for refunds on their motor insurance are being refused despite using their cars less during lockdown. The regulator has recently called on firms to r...

MBL: How to make your money grow from 2020-06-10T15:27

Adam Shaw and guests discuss how you can make a return on your money in turbulent economic times. With saving rates low and stock markets volatile what should your strategy be, even if you only hav...

NHS re-joiners targeted by promoters of tax avoidance schemes from 2020-06-06T12:35

Key workers who are returning to the NHS to help it cope during the coronavirus pandemic are being targeted by promoters of tax avoidance schemes, a Money Box investigation has found. Adverts post...

MBL: Single Parents from 2020-06-03T15:50

There are nearly three million single parent families in the UK, which is 15% of all families. Their finances are often tight and they face a particularly high risk of poverty compared with other h...

Self-employed grant extended from 2020-05-30T12:16

Over 2 million people have received a grant from the government’s self-employment income support scheme. This week Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that it will be extended to pay out another lump ...

MBL: Furlough problems from 2020-05-27T17:04

A quarter of British employees have been furloughed since the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement in March. Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme workers are entitled to receive 80% of their...

Festival goers refund woes from 2020-05-23T12:42

Festival goers are trying to get their money back from the organisers of Afro Nation but are being told that Portuguese law means they’re not entitled to a refund – what can they do? Lenders are cu...

Finding a mortgage during Coronavirus from 2020-05-20T15:49

Your questions on the challenges of getting and holding on to a mortgage or re-mortgage during coronavirus. How does being furloughed affect your prospects? Are some job sectors now less desirable ...

Furlough scheme abuse from 2020-05-16T12:57

Money Box has been hearing from furloughed workers who say their employers are abusing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. It allows staff to be put on leave while the government pays 80 per cent...

MBL: Starting a business during lockdown from 2020-05-13T17:07

Felicity Hannah and guests talk to young entrepreneurs who've started businesses during the lockdown. She'll hear about the successes and challenges they encountered along the way. Guests:Emma Jo...

Can I get a mortgage on furlough? from 2020-05-09T13:28

Pandemic-related salary cuts and being furloughed could affect your ability to get a mortgage. What will mortgage providers take into account - your previous normal salary or your 80% rate? And wil...

Young workers affected by coronavirus from 2020-05-06T15:41

Graduates and young workers face huge challenges getting and staying in a job as coronavirus changes the employment picture. Louise Cooper discusses the consequences and solutions. Guests:Laura Ga...

Furlough problems and obtaining cash refunds from 2020-05-02T12:32

On this week’s Money Box we hear from people who’ve been furloughed by their employer but are being pressured into working anyway - something very much against the rules of the Job Retention Scheme...

MBL: Coronavirus and claiming benefits from 2020-04-29T15:52

Many people are having to claim benefits for the first time due to coronavirus. Paul Lewis and guests find out how some people have found this experience. Was it clear how to claim? Did you find th...

Umbrella companies and the contractors “left in limbo” from 2020-04-25T12:36

650,000 people work as contractors in a wide range of jobs across the UK – supply teachers, IT engineers, health care workers. But some of them have told Money Box they’ve been left in limbo by umb...

Car Finance from 2020-04-24T15:38

On our programme last Saturday we looked at the new Financial Conduct Authority guidance for people with car finance who are struggling to pay it due to coronavirus. 80% of all private new car buye...

Coping with debt and accessing credit from 2020-04-22T15:28

Adam Shaw and guests talk to people struggling with bills and finding it hard to access credit. They offer practical advice about how to stay on top of your finances. Guests: Richard Lane from Ste...

Wage support changes and debt help from 2020-04-18T12:01

Action to protect workers who would otherwise face redundancy due to the coronavirus outbreak was brought in by the government last month. Known as the Job Retention Scheme it pays 80 per cent of w...

Coping with ‘income shock’ from 2020-04-11T11:30

Millions of people are still facing huge financial pressure despite government measures to help them deal with the fallout from coronavirus. Some estimates show that up to half of the 5m people wh...

Tenants and landlords rights from 2020-04-08T15:44

Louise Cooper and guests discuss how government rules help tenants and landlords affected by coronavirus. Guests:Henry Pryor - Buying agent and property expert Anny Cullum - National organiser for...

New starters and the furloughed worker scheme from 2020-04-04T12:12

People who have recently begun new jobs say that the government’s plan to help businesses hit by coronavirus may treat them unfairly. Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, a business can choo...

Coronavirus: Your travel queries answered from 2020-04-02T15:14

In recent weeks the Money Box inbox has been inundated with your queries and questions about travel and holiday issues. So we invited Simon Calder, travel editor at The Independent, to shed some li...

Covid19 - Will insurance cover it? from 2020-04-01T15:45

Wedding plans in ruins, holidays cancelled, business on hold and landlords unable to rent out their properties. This is exactly the kind of unexpected scenario we buy insurance policies for, but a...

Assistance for the self-employed from 2020-03-28T14:26

This week the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the Government’s much anticipated help package for the self employed. Only about two thirds of an estimated 6m workforce will gain anything, leaving o...

Help for small businesses and the self employed from 2020-03-25T17:11

Announcements from the Government are coming thick and fast about the help available for small business in these difficult times. An expert panel joins Adam Shaw to discuss and answer your questio...

The Coronavirus Effect from 2020-03-21T13:30

Money Box unpicks the Chancellor's announcement on support for wages and rents. Investments have taken a massive hit over the last few weeks as the stock market has dived. We speak to one Money Bo...

MBL: Travel and coronavirus from 2020-03-18T17:06

The UK government has urged Britons to avoid non-essential travel to anywhere in the world for 30 days to tackle the spread of coronavirus. Where does that leave people and their holiday plans? An...

Corona Virus - the financial fallout from 2020-03-14T13:34

The financial fallout from the Corona Virus pandemic. Making sense of the help available. And the Chief Financial Ombudsman, Caroline Wayman, tells us that the banks warnings are not good enough a...

MBL: The Budget Special from 2020-03-11T17:08

Whether you're young or old, rich or poor, how will the Budget affect your personal finances? Paul Lewis and a panel of experts give their opinions on how it will affect your wallet and take your ...

TikTok - time for change? from 2020-03-07T13:18

TikTok has been downloaded over 1.6 billion times and most of its users are young. They share videos and stream their activities live. The site allows people who have over 1000 followers to be give...

MBL - The future of giving from 2020-03-04T17:00

The traditional model of giving is in decline, no longer do people have a charity for life. Now the sector is coping with huge changes in the way people give from card payments, crowdfunding to adv...

New hope for leaseholders from 2020-02-29T13:04

People who bought leasehold homes from developers were "misled". That is the damning verdict of a report by the Competition and Markets Authority. They say its findings support calls for a change i...

Discrimination and housing benefit from 2020-02-26T16:48

Landlords and letting agencies who advertise property with a ban on renting benefits claimants - so-called "No DSS" clauses - risk legal action under anti-discrimination laws. So why do such restri...

Savings - are they drowning not waving? from 2020-02-22T13:08

A Money Box investigation has found that two of the biggest broadband providers are charging people up to £90 a year to keep their email address if they switch to another supplier. The regulator Of...

MBL: In-game purchases from 2020-02-19T17:09

Unexpected bills from video games and apps? The online world of video games and apps can be financially treacherous, filled with loot boxes and micro-transactions. They can mean large, unexpected b...

Bereavement Support Payment from 2020-02-15T13:11

Should the unwed lose out on a benefit paid to married people? Bereavement Support Payment is available to the widows, widowers or surviving civil partners of people who died on or after 6 April 20...

MBL: Getting the best broadband deals from 2020-02-12T16:24

This week Louise Cooper asks how you can negotiate the best broadband deal. How do you know if you’re paying too much? What’s the best way of securing a better deal? What are your rights if you’ve ...

Leap in Under 30s taken to court for debts from 2020-02-08T13:34

Money Box has found that there has been a big increase in the number of young adults being taken to court for unpaid debts. Court records show that last year around 160,000 people in their twenti...

MBL: Dream weddings on tight budgets from 2020-02-05T16:57

Wedding planning can be stressful and expensive. Venue, catering, flowers...the list goes on. Charmaine Cozier and guests talk through the best ways to budget and negotiate on price. Guests:Lisa G...

Brexit and benefits from 2020-02-01T12:51

One of the most important rights that Europe gave us was the freedom to live and work in EU countries and retire there. About a quarter of a million UK pensioners live in the EU and draw their UK p...

MBL: Your rights when a dream holiday becomes a nightmare experience from 2020-01-29T17:32

What are your rights when that dream holiday you've saved up for gets cancelled or you experience problems during the holiday itself? Paul Lewis and guests answer your calls and emails. Guests: th...

Concern over quick sale estate agents from 2020-01-25T13:07

Home owners are at risk of losing large amounts of money when selling their properties by using so called quick sale estate agents. That’s a warning from Trading Standards. It’s told Money Box it’s...

MBL: How to make the gig economy work for you from 2020-01-22T17:23

The gig economy is booming in the UK. More than a million people are using online platforms to secure jobs. Some people say that Uber drivers and couriers are the poster boys and girls for an explo...

Should students pay council tax? from 2020-01-18T13:02

Four students studying at Durham University received a surprise bill for Council Tax. They were billed hundreds of pounds for a period when no-one was living in the property over the summer. After ...

MBL: How to buy a property without help from mum and dad from 2020-01-15T17:20

For many young people buying a home can seem like an impossible dream. High property prices, no way of saving for a big deposit and worries about paying for a hefty mortgage. But it's not all doom ...

Travelex customers face continued chaos from 2020-01-11T12:50

Council tenants on Universal Credit are much more likely to be in rent arrears than those who don’t get the benefit. That’s according to research carried out by Money Box. We surveyed local authori...

MBL: How to make money from social media from 2020-01-08T17:24

The world of the influencer is a lucrative one. Online stars made $8bn in 2019 and it's not just household names that are earning money. Louise Cooper and her guests explain how you can make money ...

The history of financial mistakes from 2020-01-04T13:28

History is littered with tales of financial error – many instantly familiar even though they may have taken place several centuries apart. Why do we keep on making the same mistakes with our mone...

The Money Clinic revisited from 2019-12-28T12:30

Money is one of the top three strains on relationships and it’s a common cause of rift between family and friends. You might be cautious and risk averse and hate to see your partner frittering the...

The gift of money from 2019-12-21T13:12

The Government has accepted all but one of the recommendations made by Sir Amyas Morse in his review of the controversial 'loan charge'. This means that 11,000 people will be let off paying money t...

Money Box Live: Communal Living from 2019-12-18T18:41

From a housing cooperative near the city, to an organic farm in the sticks, communal living can vary enormously. So what are the financial pros and cons of a shared lifestyle? Adam Shaw visits a co...

The battle for buying your freehold at a fair price from 2019-12-14T13:16

It's been described as a "David and Goliath" contest. Hundreds of leasehold home owners have joined together - for the first time - to begin a legal fight to take control of the freehold on their p...

Money Box Live: How to find the right car finance from 2019-12-11T17:06

Over 90% of all new car purchases are made using some form of finance. And yet research suggests the vast majority of buyers don't understand the contracts they're signing. If you're the proud dr...

Christmas Debt from 2019-12-07T13:11

For many households, Christmas is the most expensive time of year. Food, drink, presents - the list of things to spend money on can be endless. Many of us will be using debt as a way to make that s...

Money Box Live: Fostering from 2019-12-04T16:54

How much financial support is available for foster carers looking after children in need? Around 65,000 children live with foster families across the UK. Foster carers provide a safe and stable ...

Money Box election 2019 special from 2019-11-30T13:17

With fewer than two weeks to go until the 2019 General Election, Money Box takes a personal finance look at the manifesto pledges of the four main parties. Among the subjects covered are issues lik...

Money Box Live: Bailiffs from 2019-11-27T16:28

What can and can't bailiffs do when they knock on your door to collect a debt? What happens if it's not your debt, or you've paid it off already? And can you refuse them entry? Louise Cooper i...

The best way to tip from 2019-11-23T13:19

Money Box has learned that an increasing number of families who bought new build freehold homes are finding a few years later find they cannot sell them. It's down to the annual charges made to pay...

Money Box Live: Collectables from 2019-11-20T16:49

From comic books to Dinky Toys, costume jewellery to milk bottles, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to collecting. But where should you buy and how to be sure you’re getting a good price, whe...

Starting young to save for retirement from 2019-11-16T13:36

The UK's banks haven't been able to agree who should pay compensation to customers who have had money fraudulently stolen from their bank accounts. Until last May the banks routinely refused to ref...

Money Box Live: Leaving School at Sixteen from 2019-11-13T16:59

What are the career options available for 16 year-olds today and what are the financial implications? Whether it's college, some paid work or getting an apprenticeship, how will your money issues ...

Hotel room investors face losing 'life changing' sums from 2019-11-09T13:28

People who put money into a UK-wide hotel room investment scheme have been told they’re likely to have lost their money. Northern Powerhouse Developments tempted more than a thousand people to buy ...

Money Box Live: How To Retire Young from 2019-11-06T17:07

Could you save enough of your income and budget so tightly that you can afford to retire in your thirties or forties? A US movement called FIRE – Financial Independence Retire Early – encourages m...

Opposite-sex civil partnerships become law from 2019-11-02T13:18

In amongst this week's political upheaval, a date was set for opposite-sex civil partnerships to become law. The first ceremonies will take place on December 31 2019. So what impact could this have...

Money Box Live: Mental Health&Money from 2019-10-30T17:06

Our expert panel take a look at the problems around mental health and money. From how to make your benefits work better for you, talking with banks and how to avoid the complications that can come ...

What's next for QuickQuid borrowers? from 2019-10-26T11:59

The payday lender QuickQuid has entered administration. It follows an earlier announcement of plans to close its business in the UK where it was the largest firm of its type. It's owned by the US-b...

The Personal Finance of Comedy from 2019-10-23T15:23

You might think of comedians as up on a stage in a pub, but that's just one part of what the job entails today. Social media, streaming services and stadium tours have changed the game. Instead o...

How to give yourself a pay rise from 2019-10-19T12:36

This week the decision was made to wind down the funds managed by ‘star’ manager Neil Woodford. Listeners have been in touch wanting to know what this means for their money and if they will be able...

Credit scores from 2019-10-16T16:12

Do you know what your credit score says about you? If you’ve had a breakup, make up, break down, spending spree or life shock in the last six years, your credit rating will have it recorded. The m...

'Herders' and 'olders' from 2019-10-12T12:21

In this programme we go undercover into the world of the mule, discovering how children as young as 13 are being groomed to hand over their bank account details to criminals. We reveal that some of...

Can my money help fight climate change? from 2019-10-09T15:54

Can I get a good return on investments that do good? Should you be letting your money speak rather than be out on the street? With £2.2 trillion in pension funds in the UK, do we really know what o...

Credit at 18 - getting the right deal for you from 2019-10-05T12:15

Competition in the home and insurance market is not working and loyal customers are being penalised, according to the Financial Conduct Authority. The FCA estimates that six million people pay on ...

Fundraising for schools from 2019-10-02T15:26

Ever had the horror of running a cake stand? Do charity egg and spoon races haunt your dreams? Moneybox is looking to make you the Jeff Bezos of the the bake sale and make your fundraiser go furthe...

Struggling with insolvency from 2019-09-28T12:00

For decades, Stoke-on-Trent was powered by industry, with tens of thousands working in mining and pottery. But when the mines and factories closed, generations of people were left out of work. For...

Student Finance from 2019-09-25T15:50

How do student loans work, when do you start repaying them and what happens when it goes wrong? It can be very confusing for students and their parents alike so we are here to help. Our panel help...

Thousands of students forced to pay back overpayments from 2019-09-21T12:29

A Money Box investigation has discovered that tens of thousands of university students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have been forced to pay back millions of pounds in overpaid maintenanc...

How do I start investing? from 2019-09-18T15:47

Have you been thinking about investing but have been put off by the jargon or fees? Do you think that investing is just for the rich, or that you have to have thousands spare to get started? Are yo...

How digital payments are changing the way we donate from 2019-09-14T12:10

This week Big Issue sellers have started to accept contactless payments. As donations to good causes dwindle we find out how digital transactions are reshaping the way we donate. Can 20 somethings...

How do you ask for a pay rise? from 2019-09-11T15:38

Whether you are a freelancer or working for a big company, talking about how much you're worth can be hard. Have you been too scared to ask for a pay rise? Have you asked but been rejected? Have yo...

Former Extra Energy customer shocked at new £4,000 bill from 2019-09-07T12:35

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth investigates why a failed energy company is still sending bills to customers. Extra Energy ceased trading ten months ago. Last month former customer Diane received ...

Entrepreneurial mothers from 2019-09-04T15:42

Have you set up a new business after becoming a parent? What are the challenges and rewards? The number of mothers that are working for themselves has doubled in the last ten years according to IPS...

Why have mortgage approvals hit a two year high? from 2019-08-31T12:12

The number of mortgages approvals hit a two-year high in July, according to the Bank of England but approvals for first time buyer mortgages remained flat. We look at why it's happening, the probl...

The Money Clinic: Julie and Paul from 2019-08-24T11:30

Money is one of the top three strains on relationships and it’s a common cause of rift between family and friends too. You might be cautious and risk averse and hate to see your partner fritterin...

The Money Clinic: Fay and Ben from 2019-08-17T11:30

Money is one of the top three strains on relationships and it’s a common cause of rift between family and friends too. You might be cautious and risk averse and hate to see your partner frittering ...

The Money Clinic: Fiona and James from 2019-08-10T11:30

Money is one of the top three strains on relationships and it’s a common cause of rift between family and friends too. You might be cautious and risk averse and hate to see your partner frittering ...

The Money Clinic: Poppy and Cliff from 2019-08-03T11:30

Money is one of the top three strains on relationships and it’s a common cause of rift between family and friends too. You might be cautious and risk averse and hate to see your partner fritterin...

The Costs of Being Disabled from 2019-07-31T15:51

There are nearly 14 million disabled people in the UK and a report from Scope has found they have to pay an average of £583 every month to have the same living standards as someone without a disabi...

Credit nightmares for young people from 2019-07-27T12:12

Imogen is 21-years-old. She's also invisible – financially. Despite renting for 2 years, working and paying her bills on time the credit agencies she's contacted won’t let her see her credit record...

Renting and Letting from 2019-07-24T16:05

Adam Shaw and guests discuss the new rules about fees, deposits, requirements for landlords to keep their property habitable and plans to change eviction law. To join the conversation call 03700 1...

The challenge of charging an electric car from 2019-07-20T12:15

Money Box listener Gary takes reporter Dan Whitworth on a guided tour of electric car charging points in Swindon to illustrate the complexities of navigating the system and the associated costs. Gu...

School holiday costs from 2019-07-17T15:06

Share your experiences and tips for meeting the extra costs of the school holidays. Call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 17 July (standard network charges apply) or e-mail moneybox@b...

Fighting bank fraud branch by branch from 2019-07-13T11:53

Money Box's Drew Miller Hyndman has been to Southampton where this week TSB Bank held the latest in a series of in-branch sessions aimed at educating people on how to avoid becoming victims of fina...

Electric Cars from 2019-07-10T15:24

Adam Shaw and guests discuss the costs and considerations of driving an electric car. To join the conversation call 03700 100 444 from 1pm – 3.30pm on Wednesday 10 July, email moneybox@bbc.co.uk ...

Unfair delivery charges in Scotland from 2019-07-06T12:05

Prepaid cards are continuing to increase in popularity, often as an alternative to a bank account. In many cases they are advertised as ‘no paper work, no fuss’ but Money Box hear's that's not alwa...

Money Box Live: Power of Attorney from 2019-07-03T15:53

Who will take care of your finances and welfare if you no longer can? Putting in place a Power of Attorney - what ever your age - allows one or more trusted people to manage your money and persona...

Taking a 'butchers' at contract small print from 2019-06-29T12:54

Tens of thousands of people are using two new apps which let them access their wages as they earn them. With no more waiting around for monthly pay days is this new tech helping people’s financial ...

Money Box Live: Cryptocurrencies from 2019-06-26T15:34

Louise Cooper and guests look at the volatile world of investing in digital currencies. Call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 26 June or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now with your experi...

Complaints about car loans from 2019-06-22T11:56

Complaints about the loans used to buy cars have trebled in three years - 50% up in the last year alone. A million new cars were sold to individuals in 2018 - more than nine out of ten on finance. ...

Childcare Costs from 2019-06-19T15:09

Childcare in the UK is amongst the most expensive in the world – and prices keep rising. For some families, nursery fees cost more than the monthly mortgage. Whether you are looking at nurseries ...

Pension credits and the TV licence from 2019-06-15T11:30

An inquiry has been launched into the potential mis-selling of leasehold properties. The Competition and Market Authority are aiming to shed light on potential misleading practice and unfair terms ...

Rent and Return from 2019-06-12T15:50

For years we've rented carpet cleaners or hired a dinner jacket for a wedding. But now we're beginning to rent all sorts of other things too. Furniture., toys, even outfits for a work do. Money ...

Bridging the 'advice gap' from 2019-06-08T12:08

Millions of people need financial advice but don't get it according to a damning report out this week. It's called the 'advice gap' and includes people who need advice about investment or pensions...

Credit Unions from 2019-06-05T16:02

Credit unions are financial not-for-profit co-operatives run by their members which offer a range of saving accounts and loans. Around 2 million people in the UK belong to one. In order to join peo...

Ban on lettings fees begins from 2019-06-01T12:40

Letting agencies can no longer charge tenants fees when they rent a property. They've already been banned in Scotland and now England is following suit. They can be pretty hefty - for example £500 ...

The Cost of Music from 2019-05-29T15:52

Music streaming is big business. But how do the various providers differ and how do their payment models work - for consumers and musicians? We'll hear from grime artist Chiedu Oraka, Alice Enders ...

Call for online 'credit curfews' from 2019-05-25T12:40

New safeguards for victims of bank fraud come into effect from Tuesday. Over 350 million pounds was stolen from accounts last year through what's called Authorised Push Payment Fraud - that happens...

Crowdfunding from 2019-05-22T16:05

Crowdfunding involves asking a lot of people for typically small amounts of money. It's done online as a way of financing businesses, individuals, charities or the development of ideas. There are ...

Not my debt! from 2019-05-18T12:19

At least two million people suffer domestic abuse in the UK each year. But domestic abuse is not always just physical. Taking control of a partner's money - financial abuse - is often part of contr...

Returning to work from 2019-05-15T16:10

Looking for and finding a job following a long career break can be difficult and demoralising. There are various reasons for extended career breaks including redundancy, divorce or family commitmen...

Rent - your flexible friend from 2019-05-11T12:11

Ben Wallace MP, Minister for Economic Fraud responds to criticism from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary about whether the government is "content to leave fraud at the back of the queue" g...

Saving for the under 35s from 2019-05-08T15:17

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

The last free cashpoint in town from 2019-05-04T11:55

Free cash machines are disappearing across the UK at an 'alarming' rate according to Which? Two of the major private operators, Cardtronics and Notemachine, have introduced charges for nearly 1700 ...

Ethical Investing from 2019-05-01T15:34

When you invest money do you care what it is used for? Would you avoid so called 'sin stocks' like tobacco, alcohol or gambling? Increasing numbers of people want to make sure their money is doi...

The difficulties of renting on benefits from 2019-04-27T11:46

Tens of thousands of low paid workers will face losing a week's pay or more because the firm that employs them is changing its payroll system. The pay is, in theory, just being deferred. But in pra...

Energy: Going Green from 2019-04-24T15:26

As climate change protests continue, how can consumers cut carbon emissions and keep energy bills affordable? Can you be eco-friendly and stay within budget? What are the best green deals availab...

The psychology of fraud from 2019-04-20T11:30

Criminals fraudulently stole £1.2 billion last year from our bank accounts according to the industry body UK Finance. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg - the true scale of financial fraud is ...

The Costs of Being Single from 2019-04-17T15:32

Almost 8 million people live alone in the UK and numbers are rising. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show it's more expensive to be single, so what are the financial penalties if y...

Regulator warning for general insurance companies from 2019-04-13T12:19

The Financial Conduct Authority has warned parts of the general insurance industry that it "will not hesitate to intervene" in situations where firms fail to meet their obligations to customers. A ...

The future of saving into a pension at work from 2019-04-10T15:27

Are you saving into a pension at work? Has this happened automatically via auto enrolment? In just six years, this Government policy has encouraged ten million more people save into a pension. But...

Are fraudsters getting away too easily? from 2019-04-06T12:16

The inconsistent manner in which police forces in England and Wales investigate reports of fraud is leaving victims 'confused and disillusioned.' That's one of the findings in a report by the watc...

The costs of winding up someone's affairs after they die from 2019-04-03T15:30

Have you had to cope with sorting out a loved one's financial affairs after they die? The process is called probate or 'confirmation' in Scotland. It's a complex process, involving getting documen...

London Capital&Finance. The report. from 2019-03-30T12:56

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth analyses the main findings from the administrators' report into London Capital&Finance. The high-risk mini-bond provider collapsed in January but not before it had ...

Making Tax Digital from 2019-03-27T16:22

A major change to the UK's tax system starts on April 1st. Is business ready for the VAT reporting shake-up? Making Tax Digital means businesses with an annual turn-over of more than £85,000 a year...

Smart meter only energy tariffs from 2019-03-23T13:01

Over 13 million smart meters have been installed in the UK. By the end of December next year gas and electricity suppliers will be expected to have taken "all reasonable steps" to roll them out to ...

First-time buyers from 2019-03-20T16:21

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

Investment ISAs from 2019-03-16T12:45

In his first budget speech for the new Labour government chancellor Gordon Brown announced the 1999 introduction of individual savings accounts. The idea was to encourage the habit of putting money...

Spring Statement 2019 from 2019-03-13T16:44

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, gives an update on the health of the UK economy. What will it mean for your household finances? A panel of experts will analyse what he says and we want to hear yo...

London Capital&Finance plc updates from 2019-03-09T12:57

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth investigates the companies which marketed London Capital&Finance plc ('LCF') mini-bonds to investors, including on comparison websites. LCF entered administration i...

Leaving Care from 2019-03-06T16:55

More than 11,000 young people aged 16-18 left local authority care last year. Many feel completely unprepared for the financial decisions they will have to make when they start living independentl...

The loan charge : Mel Stride interview from 2019-03-02T13:13

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Mel Stride speaks to Paul Lewis about the forthcoming loan charge. The measure, which comes into force in April, aims to stop disguised remuneration schemes whic...

Late Payments from 2019-02-27T16:50

If you're a small business, how are you affected by clients who pay late or don't pay at all? The Federation of Small Businesses estimates that around 50,000 firms go bust each year because of ca...

Contractors face loan charge choice from 2019-02-23T13:13

On April 6th the loan charge comes into force. It's an anti-tax avoidance measure which will enable HMRC to recover tax from disguised remuneration schemes which involved paying earnings back via a...

Banks want to delay fraud prevention name check from 2019-02-16T13:31

Confirmation of payee is a fraud prevention system which would allow banks and customers to check names alongside account and sort code details to ensure that transferred money goes to the right pe...

Open Banking one year on from 2019-02-13T16:26

So where are we with the promised Open Banking revolution? A little over a year ago we were teetering on the edge of radical reform after new rules meant that customers could give permission for t...

Ofgem raises energy cap from 2019-02-09T13:37

From April millions of households on default energy tariffs and who have not switched suppliers will see a rise in their bills after regulator Ofgem raised caps for gas and electricity. The first c...

Universal Basic Income - Can it work? from 2019-02-06T16:27

How would you like to receive a set income from the state without conditions?

It's an idea which is gaining world wide attention with pilot schemes in Finland, Canada and Spain to name a f...

Mini-bond firm calls in administrators from 2019-02-02T12:59

A firm which raised more than £200m from 14,000 investors has gone into administration. London Capital & Finance Plc (LCF) issued mini-bonds which promoted returns of 8 percent and higher. The Fina...

The cost of car insurance from 2019-01-30T17:02

According to the Association of British Insurers, average motor insurance premiums dropped by 1% last year. But the experiences of many Money Box listeners tell a different story.

Louise C...

What makes an investment too good to be true? from 2019-01-26T13:09

Administrators have been appointed to the Dream Lodge Group leaving people, some of whom invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in the luxury holiday park lodge business, at risk of losing most i...

Parking fines - the good, the bad and the ugly from 2019-01-23T16:35

Private parking firms are issuing penalties to drivers at the rate of one every five seconds. That's a 20% increase compared to last year.

Council income from parking penalties has never ...

Benefit rule changes for pensioners with younger partners from 2019-01-19T12:42

New rules are set to change access to pension credit. At the moment the benefit can be claimed to top up income when the older partner in a couple reaches the qualifying state pension age. From May...

Financial Resolutions from 2019-01-16T16:48

A New Year, a new you!

Many of us have committed to eat better and get fitter. But just as popular is to save more.

We want to know how you have resolved to improve YOUR personal...

Rare victory for bank fraud victim from 2019-01-12T12:53

Two banks have taken the unusual step of refunding a fraud victim all her money. With new rules for banks on this issue coming into force soon, is this a sign of things to come and are more victim...

Money Box Live: Small Claims Court from 2019-01-09T16:22

Is it time to turn to the small claims court?

It’s only 9 days into the New Year and your relaxed demeanour may have already waned. Especially if faced with a mountain of Christmas presen...

The cost of a 'no-fault' accident from 2019-01-05T12:55

Have you had an accident in the last 5 years - even if it wasn't your fault? Ticking that box on a car insurance application can be very costly - even if you weren't to blame. Money Box reporter Da...

After the bankruptcy from 2019-01-02T17:07

In August, Jessica Hurst wrote to the media asking them to investigate how her dad’s debts of just under £12,000 became a bill of just under £73,000. Nigel Hurst killed himself eighteen months ago ...

Perfect Pensions Storm from 2018-12-29T12:30

More than 2000 steel workers - many of them in the Welsh steel town of Port Talbot - were persuaded to transfer out of their final salary pension scheme. Many now deeply regret their decision, and ...

Jailed for failing to disclose the whereabouts of his clients' money from 2018-12-22T12:52

Steven Long, the founder of the collapsed inheritance planning firm, Universal Wealth Preservation, has been jailed for eight months for failing to disclose the whereabouts of his clients' money. I...

Paws for thought. Just how much does it cost to keep a pet? from 2018-12-19T16:42

More than 45% of UK households keep a pet. It's estimated that we spend almost £4.5 billion a year on them. Yet research suggests we underestimate what it costs to keep them.

Hidden costs and charges from 2018-12-12T16:23

You may not have heard of some of them; transaction charges, custody charges, collateral management costs, but these hidden pensions costs can have a real effect on your savings over the years.
Listen

Aegon admin delays trap £40,000 for nine months from 2018-12-08T13:18

In March of this year Money Box listener Nicola's financial adviser made his first attempt to move her investment fund, valued at £40,000, from Aegon to another provider. Nine months later, despite...

UK funeral industry investigated for high prices from 2018-12-05T16:12

The competition regulator has stepped up its investigation into the £2 billion a year funerals market, after finding prices have risen above inflation for over a decade.

Costs of assisted fertility from 2018-11-28T16:06

Infertility affects one in seven couples. Many people seek medical treatment to help them conceive. Some fertility treatment is available on the NHS, but the majority of couples go privately and ...

Outfox the Market: bill rise sparks switch from 2018-11-24T13:12

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth investigates complaints from customers of a small energy supplier, Outfox the Market, who suddenly found themselves facing huge increases to their direct debit paym...

Financial services for the changing way we work from 2018-11-21T16:32

The way we work is changing. By 2025, only 13% of people believe they will be working in traditional 9-5 employment.

For the last 15+ years the number of self-employed workers has been in...

Investing while Brexiting from 2018-11-17T12:48

This week the government's publication of its draft Brexit Withdrawal Agreement was followed by the cabinet resignations of Dominic Raab and Esther McVey. The financial markets responded with a sha...

Money Box Live: Universal Credit from 2018-11-14T16:31

What’s your experience of the biggest change ever made to the benefits system? Universal Credit - which is being gradually introduced across the UK - is supposed to make things simpler, by merging...

Free finance textbook for schools from 2018-11-10T13:09

Tens of thousands of free educational books about personal finance are being sent to every secondary school in England. For free. Funded by money saving expert Martin Lewis, written by Young Money ...

Money Box Live: Making Tax Digital from 2018-10-24T15:16

A big change to the UK's tax system starts next April, but are firms ready to comply?

In barely five months' time, every business which is above the threshold for VAT must ditch paper-base...

Pulling the plug on subsidies for green cars from 2018-10-20T12:04

If you're thinking of buying a new greener motor car you might want to hurry up. In less than three weeks' time government subsidies on more environmentally friendly vehicles, worth thousands of po...

Money Box Live: How to Avoid Inheritance Tax from 2018-10-03T15:17

How can you legally reduce the inheritance tax your loved ones have to pay when you die?
If you have accumulated substantial wealth during your life, inheritance tax can cost family and friends...

Money Box Live: Energy Prices from 2018-09-12T15:46

If you haven't switched energy suppliers in recent years, what does the energy price cap mean for you? The regulator, Ofgem, has announced plans to prevent gas and electricity companies charging a ...

Wages more volatile than expected from 2018-09-08T12:31

A study by the Resolution Foundation thinktank has found that the vast majority of people experience significant monthly wage volatility at least twice a year. Almost half see significant changes h...

BONUS PODCAST: Economics with Subtitles - Coffins Full of Car Keys from 2018-08-25T11:30

BONUS PODCAST: The Moneybox podcast is on it’s summer holiday but fear not, for the next four weeks, you will get a brand new podcast instead.



Economics with Subtitles is your ev...

BONUS PODCAST: Economics with Subtitles - How Condoms Can Cost a Week’s Wages from 2018-08-18T11:30

BONUS PODCAST: .The Moneybox podcast is on it’s summer holiday but fear not, for the next four weeks, you will get a brand new podcast instead.



Economics with Subtitles is your e...

BONUS PODCAST: Economics with Subtitles - Bracelets for Bullets from 2018-08-11T11:30

BONUS PODCAST: The Moneybox podcast is on it’s summer holiday but fear not, for the rest of August, you will get a brand new podcast instead.



Economics with Subtitles is your ev...

BONUS PODCAST: Economics with Subtitles - How Buying Cocaine Helps the Government from 2018-08-04T11:30

BONUS PODCAST: The Moneybox podcast is on it’s summer holiday but fear not, for the next four weeks, you will get a brand new podcast instead.



Economics with Subtitles is your ...

Money Box Live: Electric Cars from 2018-07-25T14:47

The future of motoring looks set to be increasingly electric with the Government committed to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040. That commitment was strengthened this month with the un...

Money Box Live: Pension transfers from 2018-07-04T15:18

Three years ago pension freedoms were introduced, allowing millions of people to transfer out of their Defined Benefit schemes and cash in their savings. The appetite for transferring appears to ha...

Legal action planned over training costs from 2018-06-16T11:59

Graduates who sign up to training programmes offered by some of Britain's biggest outsourcing companies are being hit with bills running into tens of thousands of pounds if they decide to leave wit...

Money Box Live: Shared Ownership from 2018-06-13T15:14

A government-backed scheme that allows you to buy part of your home and rent the rest. It's often advertised as a more affordable way for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder. But how af...

TSB customers hit by 'SIM swappers' from 2018-05-26T12:14

How can you avoid SIM swap fraud happening to you? TSB customers have contacted Money Box after their mobile phones were targeted by criminals. The fraud involves an identity thief posing as their ...

Money Box Live: Understanding NHS Continuing Healthcare from 2018-05-23T15:30

It's a little known fact that if you or a relative has an ongoing health problem, the NHS will pay, not just for your treatment in hospital but could also pay for all your care needs, be that in a ...

Money Box Live from 2018-05-16T15:41

Money Box Live listener Anne from Dorset got in touch to tell us she feels "practically paralysed" when it comes to making decisions about spending money. She is 65 years old, retired and has an in...

Money Box Live: Zero-Hours Contracts from 2018-05-09T16:04

New figures show a rise in contracts that do not guarantee a minimum number of hours. Whether you are a worker or an employer, how does this kind of arrangement work for you?

Inheritance Planning Goes Wrong from 2018-05-05T12:11

We speak to people who are worried that they've lost control of their life savings having handed it to a company they can no longer contact. Their situation highlights the huge concerns about the u...

Money Box Live: GDPR and What It Means For You from 2018-04-04T15:59

On 25th May, sweeping new data protection rules come into force, changing the way individuals and businesses deal with personal data.

The EU's General Data Protection Regulation - or GDPR...

Cost of Being Single, End of Mortgage Interest Support, Pension Transfer Letters from 2018-03-17T13:24

The cost of living alone, rather than living as a couple, is more than £1000 a year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. In the UK nearly eight million people now live alo...

Pension scheme members 'shamelessly bamboozled' from 2018-02-17T12:57

This week a report from the Work and Pensions Select Committee says British Steel pension scheme members were targeted by "vulture" financial advisers after Tata was allowed to offload its retireme...

High-risk trading fraud warning from 2018-02-03T12:58

The FCA is warning about a form of online high-risk trading which some firms are illegally offering in the UK. Binary options trading involves betting on whether anything that can be measured in fi...

Shaking the Magic Money Trees from 2018-01-22T14:27

How Britain created £435billion out of nowhere - and where the money went.

British Steel pension member - the worst decision of my life? from 2017-12-16T13:02

There's concern that thousands of steelworkers and former steelworkers at Port Talbot may have been badly advised to withdraw funds and put them into unsuitable investments. Money Box has learned t...

Money Box Live: The Autumn Budget 2017 from 2017-11-23T11:01

What are the government's plans for tax and spending and how will they affect your personal finances? As the Chancellor delivers his second budget of the year, we're expecting measures to boost hou...

Parents fear online problems will cost them childcare places from 2017-11-18T13:00

Parents who use two government childcare schemes tell Money Box about a problem they fear is putting their children at risk of losing their nursery places. It happens when they go online to reconfi...

Money Box Live: New technology and banking from 2017-11-15T10:53

New technology is transforming the way we handle our finances. Are you someone who uses mobile apps to keep track of how you spend your money or does the thought of it fill you with dread?

Listen

Money Box Live: Rent Controls from 2017-10-25T15:15

Rent controls are common across Europe - but do they work? And could they work in the UK? It's a popular idea with voters but detractors say it could destroy the private rental sector.

Ne...

Young driver foxed by the box from 2017-10-14T11:52

Black Box technology is regularly touted as a way of reducing car insurance premiums. If the box shows your driving is safe then you qualify for refunds on your premiums. But how does the box deter...

Money Box Live: Tax then and now from 2017-10-04T16:09

What was troubling the tax man back in 1977 when Money Box first broadcast? Chairman of the Board of the Inland Revenue, Sir William Pile took the hot seat in our first ever programme, quizzed by p...

Forty years of Money Box from 2017-09-29T15:18

In October 1977 Money Box made its first appearance on Radio 4. Hear presenters Louise Botting and Peter Hobday cover the big personal finance issues of the day including where to invest your money...

Beware student loan overpayments from 2017-09-02T12:05

More than 90,000 graduates were refunded hundreds of pounds last year after HMRC took payments for their student loan even though they had paid it off. Money Box has discovered these overpayments a...

The Retreat of Employers from 2017-08-12T11:30

For many people, the workplace pension has been the crux of a decent income in retirement - a guaranteed sum paid for the whole of your non-working life. Stockmarket fluctuations, our increasing lo...

Will the State Pay for Our Retirement? from 2017-08-05T12:00

The current State Pension system - guarantees anyone with requisite NI contributions a pension of £150ish a week (in real terms. It is protected by the "triple lock" and guarantees a minimum income...

Money Box Live: Buy to Let from 2017-06-28T18:33

Louise Cooper would like to hear your views, experiences and questions about being a buy to let landlord. Call 03700 100 444 between 1pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday 28 June or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk...

Flight compensation - where do the stranded stand? from 2017-06-03T12:12

Around 75,000 travellers were left facing long delays and cancellations after a British Airways computer system failed over the Bank Holiday weekend. Helen Dewdney, founder of the Complaining Cow c...

Energy savings that disappear from 2016-11-19T13:10

The savings that energy companies promise customers are in many cases fictional and never will materialise. Those are the findings of a Money Box investigation. We found that the savings energy com...