Money Box

Latest Episodes:

Financial Education Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

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 your ideas and experiences with Felicity Hannah and guests e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now.

On the panel:

Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, Consultant Clinical Psychologist. Rebekah Kelly, Head of Education - School Age, MyBnk Stephanie Fitzgerald, Head of Young People Programmes, The Money Charity

We also hear from Emma Muckalt, joint winner of Interactive Investor's Personal Finance Teacher of the Year 2020 (Primary School).

Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

A vision of our financial future Jan 02, 2021

Show notes

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 Graeme’s predictions for 2020 have weathered and discuss with three listeners what their hopes and aspirations are for the next 20 years, what have been their successes and failures from the last 20, and what lessons can be learnt.

Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

MBL: Charity fundraising Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

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 Cooper and guests will look at charity finances and fundraising in 2020. Joining Louise are:

Caron Bradshaw, Charity Finance Group Daniel Fluskey, Institute of Fundraising Robin Osterley, Charity Retail Association

We’d love to hear your ideas and experiences so e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now to join in with the conversation.

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Regulator "flawed approach" to minibond firm Dec 19, 2020

Show notes

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 money reacted to her findings?

A search through 390,000 online adverts for rented homes reveals that on two websites more than 80% discriminate against people on benefits.

And concerns from the team dedicated to chasing, catching and prosecuting illegal loan sharks about the rise of people being targeted via social media.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Ben Carter and Maryam Ahmed Producer: Darin Graham Series Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Rise in complaints about banks to Ombudsman Dec 12, 2020

Show notes

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 on average – but when it comes to fraud and scam cases that number nearly doubles to 58%. What does the FOS think about recent reports in the press that suggests banks are trying to get out of their voluntary code to refund victims of fraud? We hear from one case study who had £13,200 stolen 18 months ago and was refused a refund, until Money Box got involved. Paul talks to Debbie Enever from the Financial Ombudsman Service

In an exclusive interview Paul speaks to Alex Marsh, the UK boss of the biggest player in the Buy Now Pay Later market. The FCA is currently working on its review into BNPL as the industry braces itself for the prospect of regulation

More listeners have been contacting Money Box to tell us they are being pursued for debts of over £1000 by the Department for Work and Pensions. It is trying to recover a payment they have never had from a benefit they are not claiming. We hear from some of those affected.

Five major house builders are changing the way they sell new leasehold flats. Sebastian Kelly from the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership explains all.

Producers: Ben Carter and Darin Graham Reporter: Dan Whitworth Editor: Emma Rippon

MBL: Shared Ownership Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

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 in a property while paying rent for the portion that you do not own.

Paul Lewis and guests answer your questions about the pros and cons of shared ownership. How does it work and what are the costs, responsibilities and restrictions?

E-mail your questions, thoughts and experiences now to moneybox@bbc.co.uk

On the panel will be:

Kelly McCabe, Managing Director, TMP The Mortgage People Amy Nettleton, Chair, Shared Ownership Steering Group Giles Peaker, Housing Partner, Anthony Gold Solicitors

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Fraud victims facing salary deductions Dec 05, 2020

Show notes

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’ve never even applied for Universal Credit, let alone had an advance. The DWP are also contacting these fraud victims employers to deduct the money owed from their salary before investigations are completed.

Two dozen people are facing the threat of redundancy because the small business they work for is being forced to shut down because it can’t get insurance. How is this possible and why isn’t the insurance market working like it should? Solicitor Merlin Batchelor talks us through his problem and Felicity talks to Martin McTague from the Federation of Small Businesses which is calling for the insurance industry and policy makers to investigate what’s going on.

Savers at the UK’s government backed bank, National Savings and Investments, are struggling to withdraw their funds after the firm slashed its interest rate to next to nothing. Jill Waters, NS&I’s retail director joins us to explain what’s going on.

Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producers: Ben Carter and Darin Graham Editor: Emma Rippon

Payment Holidays Dec 02, 2020

Show notes

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 before deferring regular payments and whether there are alternatives or long term consequences for your money.

We'd love to hear your questions, experiences and views so please e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now.

On the panel are:

Sam Nurse, Money Advice Hub. Your Debt Doctor, Ripon Ray. James Jones, Experian.

Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Fraud in the Direct Debit system Nov 28, 2020

Show notes

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 criminals use stolen personal details to drain your account? We get insight from Lisa Forte of Red Goat Cyber Security.

Also - young people and hard up families are being priced out of rented homes by landlords asking for six months rent in advance. We hear from Jennie Bibbings of Shelter Cymru and John Stewart from the National Residential Landlords Association.

And a breakthrough for some parents of children with learning disabilities who haven't been able to access their child's savings once they reach 18. Two child trust fund providers, OneFamily and BMO Finance, are defying government guidance and giving parents control of the money owed to their child. Normally parents have to go through a long, expensive process which may cost more than the total invested for their child in the fund. We hear the latest on this good news for some families, but also look at the plight of the many more still stuck with the old system, as their providers hang on for new guidance from the government.

Plus in the Money Box Podcast Extra – the horrific case of a student in Nottingham who was assaulted and robbed – but struggled to be set free from his housing contract to recuperate at home. We hear what students can do if they feel they have to withdraw from their student accommodation contract. You can find details of the National Code for student housing and complaints process here https://www.unipol.org.uk/the-code

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Paul Waters Assistant Producer: Darin Graham Programme Coordinator: Janet Staples Editor: Emma Rippon

MBL: What does the Spending Review mean for you? Nov 25, 2020

Show notes

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 announcements could have a big impact on personal finances.

Here to translate and dissect the Spending Review are our expert panel:

Anita Monteith - Technical Lead & Senior Policy Adviser, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales Helen Barnard - Director, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Heather Self - Partner, Blick Rothenberg

Email in your questions and comments on the Spending Review to moneybox@bbc.co.uk

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples Editor: Emma Rippon