Money Box

Latest Episodes:

Parents not able to claim Test and Trace Support Payment Nov 21, 2020

Show notes

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 to expand shared ownership as part of a five year housing plan. But is part renting, part buying a leasehold flat really a staircase to heaven?

And why young people that the government has encouraged to pay into a Lifetime ISA account are unable to receive Universal Credit.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

MBL: Record redundancies Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

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 questions on all things redundancy, from legal rights to budgeting while you're out of work.

Drop us a line with your thoughts or questions: moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox

Panel: Susie Al-Qassab - Head of Employment Law, Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors Bukiie Smart - Founder of Save Spend Invest

Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Emma Rippon

Warm Home Discount 'lottery' Nov 14, 2020

Show notes

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 months to September. Only about one in 30 of the people who take money out get guidance or advice about their decision. The Government’s answer is what it calls a ‘stronger nudge’ and on Monday it is expected to set out its plans to MPs as a new Pension Bill comes to its finale in the House of Commons. Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, Stephen Timms MP, thinks a nudge is not enough.

The Warm Home Discount gives customers on low incomes or in particular family circumstances £140 off one winter energy bill but Money Box has heard that some people who should be eligible to receive the discount are being refused because the scheme is running out of money and suppliers are tightening up the conditions. We speak to the boss of Utilita.

How to talk to children about money and 19,000 investors want to know why they have not been able to get their hands on their missing millions for well over a year.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Darin Graham Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Richard Vadon

MBL: The "excluded" self-employed Nov 11, 2020

Show notes

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 people have been unable to claim any financial help from the scheme, and they've been in touch with Money Box in droves.

Adam Shaw and our panel hear from some of those who've been stuck without government support and want to know why not, and ask what other help is out there for freelancers.

Panel: Andy Chambers - Director of Policy at IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed Tom Waters - Senior Research Economist from the Institute For Fiscal Studies Caroline Miskin - Technical Manager from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Emma Rippon

Refused a home Covid test Nov 07, 2020

Show notes

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 identity of those asking for the tests but that relies on people having a credit history big enough to leave a footprint.

The guides on how to commit scams (and get away with it) being sold online and in plain sight on social media platforms.

And the ins and outs of the new furlough as announced by the Chancellor on Thursday.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Kafui Okpattah Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Richard Vadon

MBL: Can I afford a baby? Nov 04, 2020

Show notes

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 finding out what government help you can expect.

Our panel includes:

Laura Suter - Personal finance analyst at AJ Bell, and new parent

Nick Hill - Money Advice Service

Nyaradzo Nyakatawa - Legal advisor for charity Pregnant Then Screwed

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Emma Rippon

The end of furlough Oct 31, 2020

Show notes

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 collectors after they cancelled their direct debit for fees to gyms they couldn't go to because of the pandemic.

And why are banks refusing to open accounts for newly formed charities and community groups?

Presenter: Paul Lewis Researcher: Darin Graham Reporter: Kafui Okpattah Producer: Simon Maybin Editor: Richard Vadon

MBL: Lockdown Entrepreneurs Revisited Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

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 they’re getting on. They also hear from some new businesses owners looking for some help and guidance about starting and sustaining a successful company.

Guests: Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation Annabel Cork, founder of Make It Your Business

Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Emma Rippon

If you’ve got a story to share, do email us on moneybox@bbc.co.uk or you can Tweet us @moneybox

Tier 3: The last shift Oct 24, 2020

Show notes

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 quick’ schemes. Criminals use the app to promote investment schemes, luring users with the promise of high returns. We speak to one man caught out.

As Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions expand, we look at the support in place for workers.

And it’s already estimated that nearly two million people who were not in financial difficulty before the pandemic are now struggling to pay all of their bills. Could a 'temporary' debt payment plan help them through the worst of the crisis?

Presenter: Paul Lewis Researcher: Darin Graham Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Richard Vadon

Looking for work Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

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.

Email questions and tips to: moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet us @moneybox

Panel: Lauren Mistry, Operations Director at Youth Employment UK John McCourt, Careers adviser with Skills Development Scotland Emlyn Evans, Adviser with Career Wales

Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Richard Vadon