Money Box

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Why have mortgage approvals hit a two year high? Aug 31, 2019

Show notes

The number of mortgages approvals hit a two-year high in July, according to the Bank of England but approvals for first time buyer mortgages remained flat. We look at why it's happening, the problems for young house seekers, the deals that are out there and how to save for a deposit with the help of mortgage broker Rebecca Robertson, the Director of Evolution Financial Planning and first time buyer Ashley Agwuncha, who is also one third of money saving bloggers the Money Medics.

The charity Samaritans, which offers a listening ear to people in crisis, has entered into a partnership with betting company Paddy Power Betfair - and is being heavily criticised for it. Our reporter Dan Whitworth investigates their relationship. We also hear from John Myers, whose son Ryan had a gambling addiction and took his own life. And from Carolyn Harris, the Labour MP for Swansea East, who is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm.

Nationwide has doubled the overdraft rate for some of its customers, and it's likely to be only the beginning of changes brought in by all banks and building societies - all part of what the regulator has described as the biggest overhaul of overdrafts for a generation. The changes are aimed at reducing the high cost of credit for some consumers and making it easier for everyone to compare, and perhaps switch between, different providers. But simpler does not always mean cheaper, as Money Box listener Cathy from Hertfordshire tells us. We also hear from debt campaigner and adviser Sara Williams, who runs the website, Debt Camel.

Presenter: Ruth Alexander Producer: Paul Waters

The Costs of Being Disabled Jul 31, 2019

Show notes

There are nearly 14 million disabled people in the UK and a report from Scope has found they have to pay an average of £583 every month to have the same living standards as someone without a disability. Inevitably, the costs of mobility aids and having to use certain public transport will add to the monthly outgoing. But what are some of the less obvious, or hidden, costs of having a disability? How does it all add up? And what can be done to mitigate these costs?

Presenter Lee Kumutat and our guests discuss these questions and more as we hear from disabled people and their parents about how their disabilities cost them extra money, limits their access to financial institutions, and holds them back from independence. in this Money Box Live special we won't be taking calls in the programme but would still love to hear your thoughts and experiences which you can email to moneybox@bbc.co.uk.

Guests: Jessica Leigh, Policy and Campaigns manager at Scope Dr Miro Griffiths, Teaching Fellow in Disability Studies at the University of Leeds Helen Undy, Chief Executive of Money and Mental Health

Presenter: Lee Kumutat Producer: Drew Miller Hyndman Editor: Emma Rippon

Credit nightmares for young people Jul 27, 2019

Show notes

Imogen is 21-years-old. She's also invisible – financially. Despite renting for 2 years, working and paying her bills on time the credit agencies she's contacted won’t let her see her credit record because her "identity can’t be verified." What does that mean and what can Imogen do? Guests Imogen and James Jones, Head of Consumer Affairs at Experian.

Dan Whitworth reports on a woman's 20 month fight to retrieve £14,000 of her deceased mother’s savings. The money was taken via two direct debits fraudulently set up during the final 4 years of her mother's life when she’d been diagnosed with dementia. The fight to reclaim the cash only ended after Money Box stepped in. Guest: Veronica Gray, Director of Action on Elder Abuse, Northern Ireland.

If you’ve been so unsettled by that tv ad with the animatronic head of Arnie Schwarzenegger that you can't take in any of the words, you may have missed the central message – August 29th is the deadline to make a payment protection insurance claim. Guest: Emma Stranack, the FCA's PPI deadline campaign lead.

Reporter: Dan Whitworth Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Andrew Smith

Renting and Letting Jul 24, 2019

Show notes

Adam Shaw and guests discuss the new rules about fees, deposits, requirements for landlords to keep their property habitable and plans to change eviction law. To join the conversation call 03700 100 444 from 1pm – 3.30pm on Wednesday 24 July, email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox.

Plus Adam visits the UKs largest Build to Rent scheme to find out what the concept offers tenants.

On the panel

Richard Lambert, Chief Executive, National Landlords Association Greame Brown, Director, Shelter Scotland Jennifer Phillips, Law Society Housing Law Committee

We’d love to hear your views, questions and experiences so get in touch.

The challenge of charging an electric car Jul 20, 2019

Show notes

Money Box listener Gary takes reporter Dan Whitworth on a guided tour of electric car charging points in Swindon to illustrate the complexities of navigating the system and the associated costs. Guest: David Newton, CEO of BP Chargemaster, the UK's largest electric charging network.

Laura would love to be a homeowner. She regularly enters raffles and competitions in the hope of winning a house. Richard Williams, a solicitor specialising in gambling law, explains why and how home competitions can go wrong.

The Residential Landlords Association and campaign group Generation Rent debate findings from the RLA’s survey on government plans to abolish section 21 notices in England and Wales. Section 21 allows a landlord to evict tenants without a reason and with just 2 months notice. Guests: Georgie Lammy, Campaigns Lead, Generation Rent and John Stewart Policy Manager, Residential Landlords Association.

More people have been included in a scheme set up by HSBC to compensate people who paid unreasonable debt collection charges. Those affected were customers with loans, credit cards, or store cards with either HFC Bank Ltd or John Lewis Financial Services between 2003 and 2009. Both of those firms are now part of HSBC which told Money Box "We believe we have identified all those affected who may have paid a Debt Collection Charge between 2003 and 2009, and have or will shortly be writing to them. If someone believes they paid a Debt Collection Charge and we haven’t contacted them, they can call us to discuss on 0345 585 7564.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Emma Rippon

School holiday costs Jul 17, 2019

Show notes

Share your experiences and tips for meeting the extra costs of the school holidays. Call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 17 July (standard network charges apply) or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now.

Whether you're working and need to find the money for extra childcare costs or you're looking for ways to entertain your children on a low income, we'd love to hear your stories and solutions on Wednesday’s Money Box Live.

Joining presenter Louise Cooper are:

Megan Jarvie, Head of Coram Family and Childcare Greta Defeyter, Director of the Healthy Living Lab at Northumbria University Ema Wilkes, Chief Executive, Neo Community

Louise visited the Notting Hill Adventure Playground.

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producers: Diane Richardson and Khadidja Ndiaye Editor: Emma Rippon

Fighting bank fraud branch by branch Jul 13, 2019

Show notes

Money Box's Drew Miller Hyndman has been to Southampton where this week TSB Bank held the latest in a series of in-branch sessions aimed at educating people on how to avoid becoming victims of financial fraud. Guest: Ashley Hart, Head of Fraud for TSB.

Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson have both set out their tax plans should they become Prime Minister. Carl Emmerson, Deputy Director of the Institute For Fiscal Studies compares, contrasts and costs the policies.

Gaps in the money management skills of children who are in, or young people who have left, care in England is the focus of a new report. It follows an inquiry by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Education for Young People. Ralph who went into care when he was 14 shares his perspective on the issue. Guest: Sam Turner, Voice and Influencing Manager at Become, a charity for children in care and young care leavers.

July 31st is the deadline to renew tax credits. If you already claim them what do you have to do and if you don’t – could you? Guest Victoria Todd Head of the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group team.

Reporter: Drew Miller Hyndman Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Emma Rippon

Electric Cars Jul 10, 2019

Show notes

Adam Shaw and guests discuss the costs and considerations of driving an electric car. To join the conversation call 03700 100 444 from 1pm – 3.30pm on Wednesday 10 July, email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox. We’d love to hear your views, questions and experiences.

On the panel:

Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder of Zap-Map and Next Green Car Claire Evans Consumer editor, Autocar and What Car? Anders Nilsson, GoCompare

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Unfair delivery charges in Scotland Jul 06, 2019

Show notes

Prepaid cards are continuing to increase in popularity, often as an alternative to a bank account. In many cases they are advertised as ‘no paper work, no fuss’ but Money Box hear's that's not always the case.

A growing number of credit unions are offering loans which are repaid directly by child benefit payments to try to stop people getting into a cycle of expensive debt. Felicity Hannah reports on how they work in practice.

Why people who live in parts of Scotland are being charged extra for online delivery charges and how Office of Tax simplification plans to simplify inheritance tax.

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

Money Box Live: Power of Attorney Jul 03, 2019

Show notes

Who will take care of your finances and welfare if you no longer can? Putting in place a Power of Attorney - what ever your age - allows one or more trusted people to manage your money and personal needs if and when you need help, such as dealing with your bank, paying your bills or arranging personal care.

There are many aspects to consider such as who to appoint, what responsibilities they will have and whether you want to place restrictions on the decisions which can be made on your behalf or set out specific wishes in advance.

Perhaps you have one but are having difficulty using it or you're concerned that a relatives finances are being managed badly?

Who can help if a relative or friend has already lost mental capacity but doesn't have a power of attorney in place?

Whether you're thinking of setting up a power of attorney or want to share your views and experiences of using one we'd love to hear from you.

Presenter Paul Lewis will be joined by:

Sandra McDonald, former Public Guardian for Scotland Samantha Buckthought, Partner, Wolferstans & Panel Deputy for the Court of Protection Katie Evans, Money and Mental Health Policy Institute

Call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 3 July (standard network charges apply) or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now.

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