Money Box

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Money Box Live: Pensions, Actually Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

This week we're talking about pensions for the next generation and taking your questions and comments.

Writer and director Richard Curtis is with us to consider why green investments could be the key better engagement when it comes to young people.

Also joining us, Sophie Smith, News Editor of Pensions Age and Helen Morrisey, Head of Retirement Analysis from Hargreaves Lansdown.

Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Researcher: Luke Smithurst Editor: Jess Quayle

(First broadcast, 3pm on the 13th September, 2023)

Saving for Retirement and Hollywood Strikes Oct 07, 2023

Show notes

This week there have been warnings that millions of people aren't saving enough for retirement and calls for pension contributions to be increased. One thinktank - New Financial - released a report saying that despite the success of auto-enrolment nearly a third of the UK workforce are not saving for a pension at all. Most aren't saving enough and will have smaller pensions in future. The government says auto-enrolment means billions more is being saved into pensions.

If you are one of the millions of people who own shares directly in a UK company then you may have to give them up. There are just two weeks left to have your say about the future of how those shares are held. It's because paper share certificates are on the way out to be replaced by digital versions. We'll discuss what this means. If want to have your say email "digitisationtaskforce@hmtreasury.gov.uk".

If you're wondering where your favourite show on Netflix or Paramount has gone it might be a victim of the strikes in Hollywood where 11,000 writers and more than 150,000 actors have been on strike for the last few months. It means a large number of productions being filmed or produced in the UK have been put on hold, leaving the mainly self-employed crew members with no work and no financial support. We'll hear from those affected.

Plus Royal Mail has announced that the price of posting a letter will rise in October for the second time this year. We'll have the details on that.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Sarah Rogers Researcher: Sandra Hardial Editor: Jess Quayle

(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 9th September 2023)

Money Box Live: How to Handle Debt Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

15 million adults in the UK feel financially insecure as a result of the rising cost of living. And almost 1 in 10 say they have debt they don’t know how they will repay – that’s according to the charity Christians Against Poverty.

Felicity Hannah and a panel of experts answer your questions on everything debt related - from the cost of childcare, bankruptcy and support if you have been the victim of financial abuse.

Featuring, Alice Haine, Personal Finance Analyst at Bestinvest and Richard Lane from the debt charity StepChange.

Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Researcher: Luke Smithurst Editor: Jess Quayle

(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 6th September, 2023)

Buy Now, Pay Later and Accessible Homes Sep 30, 2023

Show notes

New research has found that one in five people are paying for essentials - like food and household bills - by borrowing on Buy Now, Pay Later. A report from The Money and Pensions Service says more than ten million people now use it and claims around 40% of people they surveyed were managing their repayments badly including turning to credit cards, savings or overdrafts to pay it back.

Millions of pounds could be saved every year by building more homes that are accessible to people in wheelchairs - that's the conclusion of a report by the London School of Economics and the Housing Association, Habinteg. It looked into the financial costs and benefits of building more accessible homes for people who need them. The number of wheelchair users living in unsuitable homes across the UK is estimated to be more than 400,000. Dan Whitworth visits Kenilworth to meet Georgia and her family for a tour of their partly accessible home.

The government is currently considering ways it could change pensions in the UK to drive better outcomes for savers. Part of this includes a call for evidence looking at how defined benefit schemes might be invested differently. One idea is to make it easier for private sector employers to access tens of billions of pounds of surplus funds that have built up in their pension schemes. The Department for Work and Pensions says "the direction of future policy is not yet decided.” Tom Selby from AJ Bell explores this idea.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Sarah Rogers Researcher: Sandra Hardial Editor: Jess Quayle

(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 2nd September)

00:00 Introduction 00:41 Buy Now Pay Later 07:25 Accessible Homes 15:41 Self-Assessment Tax Helpline 17:02 Defined Benefit Pensions

Money Box Live from Leeds: Student Finance Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

Felicity Hannah and the team broadcast live from Leeds University as students from England face a massive overhaul to their finances. It's the biggest change in more than a decade.

Previously, student loans were written off after 30 years, but under a new scheme called 'Plan 5' it's 40 years. Graduates will also have to start paying money back when they earn £25,000, the threshold has been lowered this year from £27,295.

So, this week we're looking at how much a really degree costs as well as taking your questions and comments.

On the programme we have money guru Martin Lewis to explain exactly what the changes mean as well as Louise Banahene, Leeds University Engagement Officer, Bethan Corner, who is the Education Officer at the Student Union, and Tom Allingham from student finance website, Save the Student.

Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle

(First broadcast, 3pm, Wednesday 27th September 2023)

Surviving to Thriving? The High Street Sep 23, 2023

Show notes

High streets have a double challenge; they need to cope with their own rising costs and keeping hard pressed customers spending. We hear how Barnsley’s sellers are adapting to tricky times. Is anyone able to see a path through to a thriving business?

Felicity Hannah meets traders in The Glassworks, home to the town’s new redeveloped undercover market. Here she’s made a special coffee by Dave in his new café which is thriving; Katy, who’s side hustle is making candle melts to sell at the young traders monthly market & David, a butcher who’s been selling meat here for over 30 years.

The programme also talks to Dr Jackie Mulligan founder & CEO, ShopAppy.com & a member of High Streets Task Force, who explains how high street businesses are fairing across the UK.

Series Producer Smita Patel Editor Clare Fordham Studio Engineer by Rod Farquhar

Surviving or Thriving? School Sep 16, 2023

Show notes

Schools are dealing with their own rising costs, but they are also coping with the impact of the cost-of-living on their pupils and their families. One primary school tells us how they’re facing up to the challenge. Can they thrive in tricky economic times? Felicity Hannah spends a day at school with Sally Herbert, Principal at Oasis Academy Harpur Mount, primary school in Manchester. She meets staff, parents and pupils to hear how the cost of living is impacting on their children’s education.

The Programme also talks to education expert Laura McInErney, co-founder of Teacher Tapp, to ask what does the future look like for schools.

Series Producer Smita Patel Editor Clare Fordham Studio mixed by Rod Farquhar

Surviving or Thriving? Farms Sep 09, 2023

Show notes

Rising costs are having an impact on almost everyone, but that impact is very different for different sections of the economy. Rising food production costs are pushing up everyone’s grocery bills, and squeezing farmers’ profit margins. How are farms adapting to survive difficult times? Are any of them finding new ways to thrive?

Felicity Hannah travels to South Wales to meet two farmers, both running family businesses. Kevin and Sian, who, since covid, have diversified their 200 acre mixed farm into a profit making business. And Abi who works alongside her parents and uncle on a 700 acres mixed farm of dairy, sheep, arable, and beef has seen costs spiral but has long term financial solutions for her family business to thrive again.

The programme also talks to Minette Batters, president of the National Farmers’ Union which represents 47,000 farming businesses across England and Wales, to ask what does the future look like for farmers.

Series Producer Smita Patel Editor Clare Fordham Studio Engineer Rod Farquhar

Money Box: Surviving or Thriving? Households Sep 02, 2023

Show notes

Rising costs are having an impact on almost everyone, but that impact is very different for different social groups. Is anyone managing to make a difference to their own budget, however small? Whether they be high earners or low income households, how are people taking control of their finances?

Felicity Hannah meets Peter who lives alone in a rented flat in Stoke and has a disability that prevents him from working; Hollie, a new mum, living with her fiancé in Wigan, who’s trying to juggle money while on maternity leave with the rising costs of having a small baby. And Kishan, one of many people being bitten by monthly mortgage rate hikes. He lives in London and has three mortgages; his own plus two buy to lets.

The programme also talks to Dr Gemma Tetlow Chief Economist at the Institute for Government to ask what does Peter, Hollie and Kishan’s experience tell us about the cost of living crisis across the nation. Are households surviving or thriving?

Series Producer Smita Patel Editor Clare Fordham Studio Engineer Rod Farquhar

Money Box Live: The Mortgage Dilemma Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

The Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates again this week, for the fourteenth consecutive time. The increase will hike the monthly repayments for anyone on a variable rate mortgage, for those trying to re-mortgage after coming off a fixed-rate and for first time buyers with new home loans.

In this podcast we look at the dilemmas created by high borrowing rates. The experts in this podcast are Sonya Matharu, Senior Mortgage Broker at The Mortgage Mum and Tom Bill, Head of UK Residential Research at Knight Frank.

Presenter: Sam Fenwick Producer: Amber Mehmood Researcher: Luke Smithurst Editor: Jess Quayle

(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 2nd August, 2023)

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