Money Box

The best way to tip

23 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Money Box has learned that an increasing number of families who bought new build freehold homes are finding a few years later find they cannot sell th...

Money Box Live: Collectables

20 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

From comic books to Dinky Toys, costume jewellery to milk bottles, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to collecting. But where should you buy an...

Starting young to save for retirement

16 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The UK's banks haven't been able to agree who should pay compensation to customers who have had money fraudulently stolen from their bank accounts. Un...

Money Box Live: Leaving School at Sixteen

13 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What are the career options available for 16 year-olds today and what are the financial implications? Whether it's college, some paid work or getting...

Hotel room investors face losing 'life changing' sums

09 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

People who put money into a UK-wide hotel room investment scheme have been told they’re likely to have lost their money. Northern Powerhouse Develop...

Money Box Live: How To Retire Young

06 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Could you save enough of your income and budget so tightly that you can afford to retire in your thirties or forties? A US movement called FIRE – F...

Opposite-sex civil partnerships become law

02 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In amongst this week's political upheaval, a date was set for opposite-sex civil partnerships to become law. The first ceremonies will take place on D...

Money Box Live: Mental Health & Money

30 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our expert panel take a look at the problems around mental health and money. From how to make your benefits work better for you, talking with banks an...

What's next for QuickQuid borrowers?

26 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The payday lender QuickQuid has entered administration. It follows an earlier announcement of plans to close its business in the UK where it was the l...

The Personal Finance of Comedy

23 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You might think of comedians as up on a stage in a pub, but that's just one part of what the job entails today. Social media, streaming services and s...

How to give yourself a pay rise

19 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week the decision was made to wind down the funds managed by ‘star’ manager Neil Woodford. Listeners have been in touch wanting to know what ...

Credit scores

16 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know what your credit score says about you? If you’ve had a breakup, make up, break down, spending spree or life shock in the last six years,...

'Herders' and 'olders'

12 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this programme we go undercover into the world of the mule, discovering how children as young as 13 are being groomed to hand over their bank accou...

Can my money help fight climate change?

09 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Can I get a good return on investments that do good? Should you be letting your money speak rather than be out on the street? With £2.2 trillion in p...

Credit at 18 - getting the right deal for you

05 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Competition in the home and insurance market is not working and loyal customers are being penalised, according to the Financial Conduct Authority. Th...

Fundraising for schools

02 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ever had the horror of running a cake stand? Do charity egg and spoon races haunt your dreams? Moneybox is looking to make you the Jeff Bezos of the t...

Struggling with insolvency

28 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

For decades, Stoke-on-Trent was powered by industry, with tens of thousands working in mining and pottery. But when the mines and factories closed, ge...

Student Finance

25 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How do student loans work, when do you start repaying them and what happens when it goes wrong? It can be very confusing for students and their parent...

Thousands of students forced to pay back overpayments

21 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A Money Box investigation has discovered that tens of thousands of university students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have been forced to pay...

How do I start investing?

18 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Have you been thinking about investing but have been put off by the jargon or fees? Do you think that investing is just for the rich, or that you have...

How digital payments are changing the way we donate

14 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week Big Issue sellers have started to accept contactless payments. As donations to good causes dwindle we find out how digital transactions are ...

How do you ask for a pay rise?

11 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you are a freelancer or working for a big company, talking about how much you're worth can be hard. Have you been too scared to ask for a pay ...

Former Extra Energy customer shocked at new £4,000 bill

07 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth investigates why a failed energy company is still sending bills to customers. Extra Energy ceased trading ten months ...

Entrepreneurial mothers

04 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Have you set up a new business after becoming a parent? What are the challenges and rewards? The number of mothers that are working for themselves has...

Why have mortgage approvals hit a two year high?

31 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Costs of Being Disabled

31 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Credit nightmares for young people

27 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 sh...

Renting and Letting

24 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Shaw and guests discuss the new rules about fees, deposits, requirements for landlords to keep their property habitable and plans to change evict...

The challenge of charging an electric car

20 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Money Box listener Gary takes reporter Dan Whitworth on a guided tour of electric car charging points in Swindon to illustrate the complexities of nav...

School holiday costs

17 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 (stand...

Fighting bank fraud branch by branch

13 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Electric Cars

10 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Shaw and guests discuss the costs and considerations of driving an electric car. To join the conversation call 03700 100 444 from 1pm – 3.30p...

Unfair delivery charges in Scotland

06 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 wo...

Money Box Live: Power of Attorney

03 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Taking a 'butchers' at contract small print

29 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 da...

Money Box Live: Cryptocurrencies

26 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Complaints about car loans

22 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 i...

Childcare Costs

19 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Pension credits and the TV licence

15 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

An inquiry has been launched into the potential mis-selling of leasehold properties. The Competition and Market Authority are aiming to shed light on ...

Rent and Return

12 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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. Furnit...

Bridging the 'advice gap'

08 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 peop...

Credit Unions

05 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 peopl...

Ban on lettings fees begins

01 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 sui...

The Cost of Music

29 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 hea...

Call for online 'credit curfews'

25 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

New safeguards for victims of bank fraud come into effect from Tuesday. Over 350 million pounds was stolen from accounts last year through what's call...

Crowdfunding

22 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Crowdfunding involves asking a lot of people for typically small amounts of money. It's done online as a way of financing businesses, individuals, ch...

Not my debt!

18 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

At least two million people suffer domestic abuse in the UK each year. But domestic abuse is not always just physical. Taking control of a partner's m...

Returning to work

15 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Looking for and finding a job following a long career break can be difficult and demoralising. There are various reasons for extended career breaks in...

Rent - your flexible friend

11 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Wallace MP, Minister for Economic Fraud responds to criticism from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary about whether the government is "con...

Saving for the under 35s

08 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The latest news from the world of personal finance plus advice for those trying to make the most of their money.

The last free cashpoint in town

04 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Free cash machines are disappearing across the UK at an 'alarming' rate according to Which? Two of the major private operators, Cardtronics and Notema...

Ethical Investing

01 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When you invest money do you care what it is used for? Would you avoid so called 'sin stocks' like tobacco, alcohol or gambling? Increasing numbers...

The difficulties of renting on benefits

27 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tens of thousands of low paid workers will face losing a week's pay or more because the firm that employs them is changing its payroll system. The pay...

Energy: Going Green

24 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

As climate change protests continue, how can consumers cut carbon emissions and keep energy bills affordable? Can you be eco-friendly and stay within...

The psychology of fraud

20 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Criminals fraudulently stole £1.2 billion last year from our bank accounts according to the industry body UK Finance.But that’s just the tip of the...

The Costs of Being Single

17 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Almost 8 million people live alone in the UK and numbers are rising. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show it's more expensive to be s...

Regulator warning for general insurance companies

13 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Financial Conduct Authority has warned parts of the general insurance industry that it "will not hesitate to intervene" in situations where firms ...

The future of saving into a pension at work

10 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Are you saving into a pension at work? Has this happened automatically via auto enrolment? In just six years, this Government policy has encouraged t...

Are fraudsters getting away too easily?

06 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The inconsistent manner in which police forces in England and Wales investigate reports of fraud is leaving victims 'confused and disillusioned.' That...

The costs of winding up someone's affairs after they die

03 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Have you had to cope with sorting out a loved one's financial affairs after they die? The process is called probate or 'confirmation' in Scotland. It...

London Capital & Finance. The report.

30 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth analyses the main findings from the administrators' report into London Capital & Finance. The high-risk mini-bond...

Making Tax Digital

27 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A major change to the UK's tax system starts on April 1st. Is business ready for the VAT reporting shake-up? Making Tax Digital means businesses with ...

Smart meter only energy tariffs

23 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Over 13 million smart meters have been installed in the UK. By the end of December next year gas and electricity suppliers will be expected to have ta...

First-time buyers

20 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The number of first-time buyers is up, says Chancellor Philip Hammond. Will it continue? If you've managed to buy your first property, how did you do ...

Investment ISAs

16 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In his first budget speech for the new Labour government chancellor Gordon Brown announced the 1999 introduction of individual savings accounts. The i...

Spring Statement 2019

13 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, gives an update on the health of the UK economy. What will it mean for your household finances? A panel of experts w...

London Capital & Finance plc updates

09 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth investigates the companies which marketed London Capital & Finance plc ('LCF') mini-bonds to investors, including...

Leaving Care

06 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

More than 11,000 young people aged 16-18 left local authority care last year. Many feel completely unprepared for the financial decisions they will h...

The loan charge : Mel Stride interview

02 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Mel Stride speaks to Paul Lewis about the forthcoming loan charge. The measure, which comes into force in April, a...

Late Payments

27 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you're a small business, how are you affected by clients who pay late or don't pay at all? The Federation of Small Businesses estimates that arou...

Contractors face loan charge choice

23 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On April 6th the loan charge comes into force. It's an anti-tax avoidance measure which will enable HMRC to recover tax from disguised remuneration sc...

Banks want to delay fraud prevention name check

16 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Confirmation of payee is a fraud prevention system which would allow banks and customers to check names alongside account and sort code details to ens...

Open Banking one year on

13 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

So where are we with the promised Open Banking revolution?A little over a year ago we were teetering on the edge of radical reform after new rules mea...

Ofgem raises energy cap

09 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

From April millions of households on default energy tariffs and who have not switched suppliers will see a rise in their bills after regulator Ofgem r...

Universal Basic Income - Can it work?

06 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How would you like to receive a set income from the state without conditions?It's an idea which is gaining world wide attention with pilot schemes in ...

Mini-bond firm calls in administrators

02 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A firm which raised more than £200m from 14,000 investors has gone into administration. London Capital & Finance Plc (LCF) issued mini-bonds whic...

The cost of car insurance

30 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

According to the Association of British Insurers, average motor insurance premiums dropped by 1% last year. But the experiences of many Money Box list...

What makes an investment too good to be true?

26 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Administrators have been appointed to the Dream Lodge Group leaving people, some of whom invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in the luxury holida...

Parking fines - the good, the bad and the ugly

23 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Private parking firms are issuing penalties to drivers at the rate of one every five seconds. That's a 20% increase compared to last year. Council inc...

Benefit rule changes for pensioners with younger partners

19 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

New rules are set to change access to pension credit. At the moment the benefit can be claimed to top up income when the older partner in a couple rea...

Financial Resolutions

16 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A New Year, a new you!Many of us have committed to eat better and get fitter. But just as popular is to save more. We want to know how you have resolv...

Rare victory for bank fraud victim

12 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Two banks have taken the unusual step of refunding a fraud victim all her money. With new rules for banks on this issue coming into force soon, is th...

Money Box Live: Small Claims Court

09 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Is it time to turn to the small claims court? It’s only 9 days into the New Year and your relaxed demeanour may have already waned. Especially if fa...

The cost of a 'no-fault' accident

05 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Have you had an accident in the last 5 years - even if it wasn't your fault? Ticking that box on a car insurance application can be very costly - even...

After the bankruptcy

02 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In August, Jessica Hurst wrote to the media asking them to investigate how her dad’s debts of just under £12,000 became a bill of just under £73,0...

Perfect Pensions Storm

29 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

More than 2000 steel workers - many of them in the Welsh steel town of Port Talbot - were persuaded to transfer out of their final salary pension sche...

Jailed for failing to disclose the whereabouts of his clients' money

22 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Steven Long, the founder of the collapsed inheritance planning firm, Universal Wealth Preservation, has been jailed for eight months for failing to di...

Paws for thought. Just how much does it cost to keep a pet?

19 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

More than 45% of UK households keep a pet. It's estimated that we spend almost £4.5 billion a year on them. Yet research suggests we underestimate wh...

Hidden costs and charges

12 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

You may not have heard of some of them; transaction charges, custody charges, collateral management costs, but these hidden pensions costs can have a ...

Aegon admin delays trap £40,000 for nine months

08 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In March of this year Money Box listener Nicola's financial adviser made his first attempt to move her investment fund, valued at £40,000, from Aegon...

UK funeral industry investigated for high prices

05 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The competition regulator has stepped up its investigation into the £2 billion a year funerals market, after finding prices have risen above inflatio...

Costs of assisted fertility

28 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Infertility affects one in seven couples. Many people seek medical treatment to help them conceive. Some fertility treatment is available on the NHS...

Outfox the Market: bill rise sparks switch

24 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth investigates complaints from customers of a small energy supplier, Outfox the Market, who suddenly found themselves f...

Financial services for the changing way we work

21 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The way we work is changing. By 2025, only 13% of people believe they will be working in traditional 9-5 employment.For the last 15+ years the number...

Investing while Brexiting

17 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week the government's publication of its draft Brexit Withdrawal Agreement was followed by the cabinet resignations of Dominic Raab and Esther Mc...

Money Box Live: Universal Credit

14 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What’s your experience of the biggest change ever made to the benefits system? Universal Credit - which is being gradually introduced across the UK...

Free finance textbook for schools

10 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Tens of thousands of free educational books about personal finance are being sent to every secondary school in England. For free. Funded by money savi...

Money Box Live: Making Tax Digital

24 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A big change to the UK's tax system starts next April, but are firms ready to comply?In barely five months' time, every business which is above the th...

Pulling the plug on subsidies for green cars

20 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

If you're thinking of buying a new greener motor car you might want to hurry up. In less than three weeks' time government subsidies on more environme...

Money Box Live: How to Avoid Inheritance Tax

03 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How can you legally reduce the inheritance tax your loved ones have to pay when you die? If you have accumulated substantial wealth during your life, ...