Money Box

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 like workers’ rights, benefits and taxes. Hear the Chancellor, the shadow Chancellor, as well as Liberal Democrat and SNP spokesmen on finance, talk through their promises and how they’d bring about the cha...

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 is joined by Matt Hartley from Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline and Business Debtline; by Russell Hamblin-Boone, CEO, Civil Enforcement Association, the trade association representin...

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 for things like maintenance of roads, streetlights, and parks. In many cases the local council will not take on these costs so, through a management company, developers impose a so-called rentcharge on...

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, whether you're buying or selling? Paul Lewis is joined by Roo Irvine from Kilcreggan Antiques shop in Argyle and Bute. She's also an expert on BBC's Antiques Roadtrip and Bargain Hunt. Also on the panel is...

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 refund these customers. A new Code promised that all innocent customers would be reimbursed from 28 May but that runs out at the end of next month. We speak to Tom Blomfield boss of Monzo, one of the bigges...

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 change if you leave school and pursue other choices? Presenter: Adam Shaw Guests: Billy Sexton, All About School Leavers Erin Bartley, Careers adviser with Skills Development Scotland Tom Stenner-Evans, P...

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 hotel rooms in tourist hotspots across England and Wales. Investors were told their money would earn them 10% a year and also be used to refurbish the hotels that had been bought. But, four years since i...

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 millennials to stash enough cash to quit their job early and still live well. But how does it work? And do you have to be on a massive salary to make it a reality? With interest rates at historic lows, whe...

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 on your financial health? Money Box has been hearing from disgruntled clients of a claims management firm demanding money from some customers years after they thought their claims were closed. Ben Carte...

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 from periods of poor mental health. You can call Money Box Live 03 700 100 444. Or email us moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox. Panel- Anne Riddle from the Bridge Money Advisory Service in Stoke-on-Tr...

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-based company Enova which gave "regulatory uncertainty" as the reason for departure. What does this mean for existing borrowers and also for customers awaiting compensation for loans they say they should...

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 of doing gigs to get on TV, you do TV to get people to your gig! We'll look at how to start out and deal with cash and card readers, how to navigate online streaming and how you can get a mortgage while sti...

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 to claim compensation. We discuss with Mark Polson from The Lang Cat Financial Consultancy and Anna Sofat from Addidi Wealth. The Financial Conduct Authority has announced plans to ban the way in which...

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 majority of us don’t know what our credit score is and how these numbers are created. A good credit rating helps us access loans, mortgages or credit cards. But could there be a better way of helping peopl...

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 the recruiters, known as herders, are also teenagers. The accounts are then used to launder the proceeds of crime. Latest figures show that the number of accounts belonging to under 21's being used by m...

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 our money is doing and what it could be doing in the fight against climate change? We have an expert panel on hand with both the science and finance knowledge to help you navigate what's called impact inv...

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 average £200 too much - totaling an overpayment of £1.2bn a year. We hear from Huw Evans the Director General of the Association of British Insurers and Matthew Upton, Director of Policy at Citizen's Advi...

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 further. Parent Teacher Associations are changing, their roles and are now more important than ever. With budget cuts in schools and pressure for new technology the need for extra funding has never been greate...

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 some, not working became a culture that stuck. But that's not the only reason why Stoke is the insolvency capital on England and Wales. The average wage in the area is £5,000 less than the national avera...

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 answer your questions about tuition fees, maintenance loans and how it all works. One of the most common questions is whether parents should pay the fees upfront to avoid their child getting into 'huge d...

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 maintenance loans. The Department for Education says any money owed due to overpayments by the Student Loans Company, should be taken back from students whilst they're still at university except in exceptional cir...

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 you scared of risk, or do you think it seems like a man's game? Our panel explain the basics for first time investors. Panel: Holly Mackay, Boring Money Anna Sofat, Addidi Wealth Anthony Morrow, Open Money...

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 who are making the minimum auto-enrolment pension contributions still have a comfortable retirement? A recent study found more than half of savers are confident that they will but experts are concerned t...

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 you dodged negotiating your pay when offered a new position? We take your calls and offer advice on how to have those tricky conversations. Contact the Money Box team - email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @m...

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 a letter demanding over £4,000 for supplying gas to her 2 bedroom home. Guest: Ellen Fraser, Energy Analyst at Baringa. A savings account that pays a 50p bonus for every pound you save. Just imagine that...