Money Box

We've been hearing from listeners who’ve been contacted by Department for Work and Pensions demanding repayment of Universal Credit advances that the DWP says they’ve received. The trouble is, they’ve never even applied for Universal Credit, let alone had an advance. The DWP are also contacting these fraud victims employers to deduct the money owed from their salary before investigations are completed.Two dozen people are facing the threat of redundancy because the small business they work for is being forced to shut down because it can’t get insurance. How is this possible and why isn’t the insurance market working like it should? Solicitor Merlin Batchelor talks us through his problem and Felicity talks to Martin McTague from the Federation of Small Businesses which is calling for the insurance industry and policy makers to investigate what’s going on.Savers at the UK’s government backed bank, National Savings and Investments, are struggling to withdraw their funds after the firm slashed its interest rate t

Is taking a break from regular payments on your mortgage, credit card or a loan for example a good way to help you through financial difficulties?Charmaine Cozier asks what you should consider before deferring regular payments and whether there are alternatives or long term consequences for your money.We'd love to hear your questions, experiences and views so please e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now.On the panel are:Sam Nurse, Money Advice Hub. Your Debt Doctor, Ripon Ray. James Jones, Experian.Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Money Box has found evidence of fraud in the Direct Debit system. We hear how Ursula, pictured with her son Phil, was repeatedly targeted. But how can you protect yourself against this fraud, once criminals use stolen personal details to drain your account? We get insight from Lisa Forte of Red Goat Cyber Security.Also - young people and hard up families are being priced out of rented homes by landlords asking for six months rent in advance. We hear from Jennie Bibbings of Shelter Cymru and John Stewart from the National Residential Landlords Association.And a breakthrough for some parents of children with learning disabilities who haven't been able to access their child's savings once they reach 18. Two child trust fund providers, OneFamily and BMO Finance, are defying government guidance and giving parents control of the money owed to their child. Normally parents have to go through a long, expensive process which may cost more than the total invested for their child in the fund. We hear the latest on this

As the government lay out their financial plans for the next year, Paul Lewis and our panel discuss how they will affect your money. From pay and benefits to housing and tax, the Chancellor's announcements could have a big impact on personal finances. Here to translate and dissect the Spending Review are our expert panel:Anita Monteith - Technical Lead & Senior Policy Adviser, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales Helen Barnard - Director, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Heather Self - Partner, Blick RothenbergEmail in your questions and comments on the Spending Review to moneybox@bbc.co.uk Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples Editor: Emma Rippon

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

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 @moneyboxPanel: Susie Al-Qassab - Head of Employment Law, Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors Bukiie Smart - Founder of Save Spend InvestPresenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Emma Rippon

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 h

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

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

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 parentNick Hill - Money Advice ServiceNyaradzo Nyakatawa - Legal advisor for charity Pregnant Then ScrewedProducer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Emma Rippon

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

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

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

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 @moneyboxPanel: Lauren Mistry, Operations Director at Youth Employment UK John McCourt, Careers adviser with Skills Development Scotland Emlyn Evans, Adviser with Career WalesPresenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor: Richard Vadon

Money Box has learnt that thousands of people with the right to work in the UK have not been able to access a National Insurance number. Without one they may not be able to work, open a high street bank account or claim benefits.The Bank of England has written to lenders to find out whether they are ready for a zero or even a negative Bank Rate. How likely is it and what will that mean for our savings, mortgages, and other debts? And the life insurance policy that wouldn’t pay out when a terminally ill man needed the help. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Buying your first home has always been a challenge, but amid the madness of 2020 it could be harder than ever. Adam Shaw and a panel of guests answer calls from would-be first-time buyers, from the actor just starting to think about getting on the property ladder, to the social worker wondering whether shared ownership is the answer, and the dad who's seen his dream home slip away as lenders demand larger deposits. If you've a question or a story to share, do email us on moneybox@bbc.co.uk or you can Tweet us @moneybox.Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton & Darin Graham Editor: Emma Rippon

People who let out property using Airbnb have been warned this week that the firm will send HMRC the details of their earnings going back to 2017. It may mean that some hosts will receive surprise tax bills.Thousands of people who invested in a mini-bond sold by a firm called Wellesley face an impossible choice next week. They must decide if they want the company to go into administration and lose everything, or vote for what is called a Company Voluntary Arrangement and lose nearly everything.When your vehicle is damaged and it is another driver’s fault it's pretty standard practice for their insurer, not yours, to sort out the repairs to your car but it has emerged that it can leave you without a right to complain or get redress when things go wrong. We speak to the MP calling for change.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Renters could be at risk of losing their homes because of changes to the eviction ban that was brought in to protect tenants during the coronavirus pandemic. It's estimated that landlords have lost millions in rent since lockdown hit in March.What financial support and help is available and what are the different rules for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?Louise Cooper is joined by Anny Cullum from Acorn Communities, Meera Chindooroy from the National Residential Landlords Association and Giles Peaker, a housing lawyer from Anthony Gold Solicitors.We'd love to hear your questions about renting, tenancies and evictions. E-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox.Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Darin Graham Editor: Emma Rippon

The costly experience of being unknowingly signed up to a phone competition service. We hear how one subscription cost a Money Box listener over £1,000 across 5 years.A new Sharia compliant investment fund has been launched on the London Stock Exchange. How does it work?Edinburgh - Scotland's wealthiest city - launches a plan to get rid of poverty by 2030.And hints and tips for making difficult financial decisions.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Darin Graham Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) say that 6 million policy holders are paying too much for their insurance premiums and that radical reforms could save consumers £3.7bn over 10 years. So how do you get the right policy at a fair price? Joining Paul Lewis to answer your questions and offer advice are:Louise O'Shea, Confused.com Graeme Trudgill, British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA)We'd love to hear your questions and ideas about personal insurance, e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now and tweet @moneybox we'll include as many as we can in the programme.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon