Money Box

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 hear from listeners asked to keep quiet - despite the denials of developers about the practice. A change in the law next month means there could be a huge rise in the number of contractors working throu...

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 retail? Many essential shops have been successful during the pandemic with some in suburban or rural areas doing more trade as many people work from home. As covid restrictions finally ease, will our shoppin...

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 this week claims there are still around 250,000 mortgage “prisoners” - people trapped on high-interest mortgages. And what to do if something goes wrong when you try to buy goods and services on Instagra...

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 pandemic hit last year. Investors can buy shares in companies and investment funds and keep track of them on their phones. Many of the apps say their services are free to use and commission-free, so how...

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 relationship, not after separation. We hear one survivor's shocking tale - she was left with nearly half a million pounds of debt - and hear her reaction to the law change. Paul Lewis talks to barrister Dr Charlot...

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 Heather Self - partner, Blick Rothenberg Accountants Tina Riches – volunteer, Tax Aid Gareth Morgan - chief executive, Ferret You can also e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox.

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 who is severely disabled. In order to qualify people must provide for at least 35 hours a week - though most will spend considerably more time caring than that. The April rise amounts to just 1p extra per...

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 attorney is one way to allow someone to control your money and personal needs. One or more people can help with dealing with your bank, paying your bills, and arranging care. But what if an individual doesn't hav...

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 additional costs on online goods they have bought from overseas and why students are fighting not to pay for rooms they don't use during lockdown. In the podcast he also interviews the head of The Business...

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 losing pay during the pandemic. The eviction ban, which had been due to expire, has now been been extended. Louise Cooper and her panel of guests consider the impact that the end of the ban will eventual...

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 might be avoided in the future. Also, unmarried parents still not being bereavement benefits to which the High Court has said they are entitled and Money Box reporter Lauren Moore looks into your refund righ...

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 another country? Where should you pay tax? What about your employment rights? Has Brexit changed anything? Charmaine Cozier and guests look at the implications you might face if you’re working outside the UK....

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 Partners explains why. Static caravan owners are paying £5000 a year or more in holiday park fees. But they have been unable to visit them during the lockdowns and say that they have been denied refunds on the...

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 perhaps somebody close to you is taking money, trying to take control of your bank account or even suggesting you should change your will. How do you tackle such difficult personal issues and suspicions? Pa...

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 took around £78m from UK consumers last year according to fraud reporting centre Action Fraud and now warnings are being given about Covid-19 vaccine scams. On Wednesday's programme Adam Shaw and guests w...

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 period their profits were assessed. The government currently calculates how much a self-employed person should receive in their grant, which covers lost profits during the pandemic, by looking at a three ye...

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 a trip which was cancelled last summer but be uncertain about whether they can or should go. What happens if your trip is cancelled again and what should you consider if you need or hope to travel safely when restrictions ease?...

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 thousands of Muslim students to fund their university education every year. A damning report into how the Financial Conduct Authority has acted on pensions transfers. Many who've taken bad advice may have no...

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 and cheaper for leaseholders to buy their freehold or extend their lease and introducing Commonhold tenure. On Wednesday's programme Felicity Hannah and guests take a look at the new proposals and ask how...

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 is the man in charge of tackling fraud at Her Majesty’s Revenues & Customs. We find out how much of the furlough grants have been lost to criminals. What happens to drivers whose car is parked on the...

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 but what do you need to know before you consider buying, storing or selling cryptocurrencies? On Wednesday’s Money Box Live, Louise Cooper and guests discuss the development and the risks of digital curre...

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 end up with better compensation for delayed flights. We also discover why some banks are closing UK accounts held by people living in the EU... and some aren't. And ask what UK pensions and benefits will...

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? On Wednesday’s programme we want to find out what makes financial education work well, what do young people want to learn about money and how can we help them to achieve their financial goals? To share y...

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 ’2020 Vision’, designed to look beyond the impending millennium to life in the next 20 years. It wanted to stimulate thinking and discussion on how the future will look. Join Felicity Hannah to discover how...

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 cancellation of events has greatly reduced income and many charities are also experiencing rising demands, so finding new ways to generate income has been vital. On Wednesday’s Money Box Live Louise Coop...