Money Box

Latest Episodes:

Taking a 'butchers' at contract small print Jun 29, 2019

Show notes

Tens of thousands of people are using two new apps which let them access their wages as they earn them. With no more waiting around for monthly pay days is this new tech helping people’s financial health or putting them at more risk of going into debt?

Some of the people who lost money with the collapsed investment firm London Capital and Finance have been given a glimmer of hope they may be eligible for compensation. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme says some people may have been given advice about investing which would mean they could make a claim to get some, or all, of their money back. We hear the latest from the administrators and those who could benefit and those who are worried they might miss out.

Counting down to the end of a five year loan agreement, one small business couldn’t wait to make the last payment. But the owners didn’t read the small print. It said they needed to give three month’s notice before they could stop paying the loan. We speak to a contract law specialist to see what people should do to avoid any similar nasty surprises.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Money Box Live: Cryptocurrencies Jun 26, 2019

Show notes

Louise Cooper and guests look at the volatile world of investing in digital currencies. Call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 26 June or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now with your experiences and questions.

Joining Louise are:

Marc Warne, Founder, Bittylicious Jemima Kelly, reporter, FT Alphaville Dave Jevans, CEO, CipherTrace

Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Complaints about car loans Jun 22, 2019

Show notes

Complaints about the loans used to buy cars have trebled in three years - 50% up in the last year alone. A million new cars were sold to individuals in 2018 - more than nine out of ten on finance. We borrowed £45 billion to buy new and used cars last year. The size and growth of this finance has caused the Bank of England to express concerns and in November the Financial Conduct Authority was so worried it published new rules about how that credit was sold. We look at how well our ability to repay is being assessed.

Small businesses and the self-employed who pay VAT will have to make big changes to how the submit their information to HMRC over the next few months. It's all part of Making Tax Digital where quarterly figures must be submitted using approved software rather than just entering them manually on the HMRC website. Some large firms who already make accountancy packages are telling customers they must sign up for new and often expensive upgrades but do they really need to?

Nearly seven in ten people seeking advice were advised to transfer out of their guaranteed final salary pension and invest the money into a riskier pension fund. That's according to data released by the Financial Conduct Authority this week, collected over the last three and a half years. It says for most people that is bad advice - is it time for stricter controls on pensions transfers?

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Childcare Costs Jun 19, 2019

Show notes

Childcare in the UK is amongst the most expensive in the world – and prices keep rising. For some families, nursery fees cost more than the monthly mortgage. Whether you are looking at nurseries or childminders for your pre-school children what financial help is available to reduce costs? What is tax-free childcare and how does it work? Who is eligible for 15 or 30 hours’ free childcare a week – and what help can you get to pay for childcare if you’re on Universal Credit? We'll explore the options available to parents wanting to give their child the best start in life.

Adam Shaw and a panel of guests will be taking your calls, emails and tweets. Do get in touch. Call 03700 100 444 – lines open at 1300 on Wednesday 19 June; email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox

Guests: Megan Jarvie, Head of Coram Family and Childcare Charlotte McDonough, UK Policy advisor, Save the Children Neil Hill, Money expert, Money Advice Service

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Sally Abrahams

Pension credits and the TV licence Jun 15, 2019

Show notes

An inquiry has been launched into the potential mis-selling of leasehold properties. The Competition and Market Authority are aiming to shed light on potential misleading practice and unfair terms to better protect people buying a home in the future. What difference could it make to the lives of many whose homes have become unsellable?

We speak to some of the British Steel workers persuaded to transfer out of their final salary pension schemes by rogue advisers. This week the Financial Conduct Authority visited Port Talbot to answer some of their questions.

Earlier this month, the Equity Income Fund run by fund manager Neil Woodford suspended withdrawals by its investors. We hear from a listener whose money became trapped in the fund despite requesting a withdrawal more than 72 hours before the fund was frozen.

And after the BBC announced this week that many over-75's would have to start paying for their licence fee, we find out who will still be able to get it free.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Rent and Return Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

For years we've rented carpet cleaners or hired a dinner jacket for a wedding. But now we're beginning to rent all sorts of other things too. Furniture., toys, even outfits for a work do. Money Box Live looks at the increasingly popular option of renting stuff rather than owning it. What can you borrow and what the pros and cons of doing so? We visit the Library of Things in south London where you can rent a tent, a waffle maker or even a ukulele. Will borrowing not buying help save the planet?

Guests: Emily Gordon-Smith Director of Consumer Products at Stylus Martyn James, Consumer rights expert at Resolver

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Sally Abrahams

Bridging the 'advice gap' Jun 08, 2019

Show notes

Millions of people need financial advice but don't get it according to a damning report out this week. It's called the 'advice gap' and includes people who need advice about investment or pensions but can't afford professional advice and people who need free advice on a variety of money matters but don't know where to get it. We discuss how to make financial advice more accessible to everyone.

Banks have until April next year to implement major changes on overdraft charges. The fees from overdrafts bring in nearly two and a half billion pounds a year and they are mainly paid by a small number of customers who are in debt or vulnerable. The Financial Conduct Authority say it will be the biggest shakeup of overdraft fees in a generation, others aren't so impressed.

Over 9000 students in higher education are estranged from their families, without the safety net of the bank of Mum or Dad if things go wrong. Estrangement charity Stand Alone has found that financial and other pressures mean they're three times more likely to drop out before their course finishes than other students.

The Scottish Government have launched a brand new benefit for low income families. We found out how it works.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Credit Unions Jun 05, 2019

Show notes

Credit unions are financial not-for-profit co-operatives run by their members which offer a range of saving accounts and loans. Around 2 million people in the UK belong to one. In order to join people must have something in common with other members such as living or working in the same area or having the same occupation.

The work that credit unions do with those who are excluded from mainstream financial services has led to the perception that they are a "poor man's bank" but this isn't the whole story. Paul Lewis talks to Robert Kelly, Chief Executive of the Association of British Credit Unions, and Dr Paul A. Jones, Head of the Research Unit for Financial Inclusion at Liverpool John Moores University, about how credit unions are adapting in the age of fast digital banking

With contributions from Teresa Manning, Chief Executive of Clockwise Credit Union and Professor Sharon Collard Research Director of the Personal Finance Research Centre at the University of Bristol.

If you have a credit union related question for the panel you can call 03700 100 444 after 1pm on Wednesday 5th June or email moneybox@bbc.co.uk

Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.

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

Ban on lettings fees begins Jun 01, 2019

Show notes

Letting agencies can no longer charge tenants fees when they rent a property. They've already been banned in Scotland and now England is following suit. They can be pretty hefty - for example £500 for a credit check, £200 to check out of the property. These fees account for £700m a year and account for a fifth of agencies turnover. So is this a win win for tenants or will the ban have unintended consequences?

When it comes to elderly or vulnerable loved ones, family and friends often rely on other people to help manage their day to day lives, including going shopping, paying bills, helping them look after their money. Many elderly people fall victim to financial abuse. We speak to Action on Elder Abuse about what you can do to try to stop this from happening.

And this week a major change began which should mean that victims of bank fraud are reimbursed for their losses in almost every case. But it only applies to frauds committed from last Tuesday, May 28th. So what can be done about the estimated £1bn of money people have had stolen before this code was introduced?

Plus we find out more about TSB's 'fraud guarantee'.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editors: Richard Knight + Richard Vadon

The Cost of Music May 29, 2019

Show notes

Music streaming is big business. But how do the various providers differ and how do their payment models work - for consumers and musicians? We'll hear from grime artist Chiedu Oraka, Alice Enders from Enders Analysis and from Chris Cooke who is head of Music at CMU Insights, a music business consultancy.

If you have a question for the panel or want to share your experience call us on 03700 100 444 between 1pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday 29nd May. (Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.) Or send an email before then to moneybox@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Paul Waters

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected