Money Box
Episodes
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, ...
Money Box Live: Energy Prices
12 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
If you haven't switched energy suppliers in recent years, what does the energy price cap mean for you? The regulator, Ofgem, has announced plans to pr...
Wages more volatile than expected
08 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A study by the Resolution Foundation thinktank has found that the vast majority of people experience significant monthly wage volatility at least twic...
Money Box Live: Electric Cars
25 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The future of motoring looks set to be increasingly electric with the Government committed to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040. That com...
Money Box Live: Pension transfers
04 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Three years ago pension freedoms were introduced, allowing millions of people to transfer out of their Defined Benefit schemes and cash in their savin...
Legal action planned over training costs
16 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Graduates who sign up to training programmes offered by some of Britain's biggest outsourcing companies are being hit with bills running into tens of ...
Money Box Live: Shared Ownership
13 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A government-backed scheme that allows you to buy part of your home and rent the rest. It's often advertised as a more affordable way for first-time b...
TSB customers hit by 'SIM swappers'
26 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How can you avoid SIM swap fraud happening to you? TSB customers have contacted Money Box after their mobile phones were targeted by criminals. The fr...
Money Box Live: Understanding NHS Continuing Healthcare
23 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
It's a little known fact that if you or a relative has an ongoing health problem, the NHS will pay, not just for your treatment in hospital but could ...
Money Box Live
16 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Money Box Live listener Anne from Dorset got in touch to tell us she feels "practically paralysed" when it comes to making decisions about spending mo...
Money Box Live: Zero-Hours Contracts
09 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
New figures show a rise in contracts that do not guarantee a minimum number of hours. Whether you are a worker or an employer, how does this kind of a...
Inheritance Planning Goes Wrong
05 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We speak to people who are worried that they've lost control of their life savings having handed it to a company they can no longer contact. Their sit...
Money Box Live: GDPR and What It Means For You
04 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
On 25th May, sweeping new data protection rules come into force, changing the way individuals and businesses deal with personal data. The EU's General...
Cost of Being Single, End of Mortgage Interest Support, Pension Transfer Letters
17 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The cost of living alone, rather than living as a couple, is more than £1000 a year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. In...
Pension scheme members 'shamelessly bamboozled'
17 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week a report from the Work and Pensions Select Committee says British Steel pension scheme members were targeted by "vulture" financial advisers...