Sinopsis
The latest news from the world of personal finance plus advice for those trying to make the most of their money.
Episodios
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How digital payments are changing the way we donate
14/09/2019 Duración: 30minThis week Big Issue sellers have started to accept contactless payments. As donations to good causes dwindle we find out how digital transactions are reshaping the way we donate.Can 20 somethings who are making the minimum auto-enrolment pension contributions still have a comfortable retirement? A recent study found more than half of savers are confident that they will but experts are concerned that this confidence is misplaced. We crunch the numbers for a couple of volunteers to find out.And we look at the impact of a project to reduce the cost of the school day on the lives of families in Scotland.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Bethan Head Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon
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How do you ask for a pay rise?
11/09/2019 Duración: 34minWhether 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 rise? Have you asked but been rejected? Have you dodged negotiating your pay when offered a new position? We take your calls and offer advice on how to have those tricky conversations.Contact the Money Box team - email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox. Or call us from 1pm on Wednesday: 03 700 100 444 - geographic charges apply. Join Louise Cooper and her expert panel: Catherine Davies from Pay Rise Accelerator Andrew Chamberlain, Deputy Director of Policy at IPSE Natalie Reynolds author of "We have a Deal" and founder of negotiation consultancy Advantage springProducer: Phoebe Keane Editor: Emma Rippon
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Former Extra Energy customer shocked at new £4,000 bill
07/09/2019 Duración: 28minMoney Box reporter Dan Whitworth investigates why a failed energy company is still sending bills to customers. Extra Energy ceased trading ten months ago. Last month former customer Diane received a letter demanding over £4,000 for supplying gas to her 2 bedroom home. Guest: Ellen Fraser, Energy Analyst at Baringa.A savings account that pays a 50p bonus for every pound you save. Just imagine that. Well actually you don't have to because it exists. It's called a Help to Save Account, is backed by the government and was launched last year to encourage people on low incomes who claim certain benefits to save. The Treasury estimates that around 3.5million people could be eligible for the scheme, recent statistics from HMRC reveal only 132,000 accounts have been opened. Guest: Kelly Sizer, Senior Technical Manager, the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group. Cara explains how she balances running her international online business with being a 14-year-old schoolgirl. Guest: Julian Hall, the founder of Ultra Education which t
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Entrepreneurial mothers
04/09/2019 Duración: 32minHave 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 doubled in the last ten years according to IPSE, a society representing Professionals and the Self Employed. There are now almost 600,000 freelancing mothers across the UK. In addition, there are many mums who are running their own businesses and employing others. But challenges remain - lack of access to finance and an absence of role models can hold some women back from striking out on their own professionally. But the Government is hoping to boost the numbers of female entrepreneurs with initiatives including free business mentoring services. From e-commerce, to setting up a franchise, to spotting a gap in a market and making it a profitable business, Money Box wants to hear stories from entrepreneurial mothers and share their top tips. Join Louise Cooper and expert panel. Guests:Entrepreneur Alison Cork – The Government's appointed Champion for Women Ent
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Why have mortgage approvals hit a two year high?
31/08/2019 Duración: 29minThe 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
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The Costs of Being Disabled
31/07/2019 Duración: 29minThere 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
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Credit nightmares for young people
27/07/2019 Duración: 29minImogen 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,
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Renting and Letting
24/07/2019 Duración: 39minAdam 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 panelRichard Lambert, Chief Executive, National Landlords Association Greame Brown, Director, Shelter Scotland Jennifer Phillips, Law Society Housing Law CommitteeWe’d love to hear your views, questions and experiences so get in touch.
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The challenge of charging an electric car
20/07/2019 Duración: 32minMoney 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 collec
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School holiday costs
17/07/2019 Duración: 28minShare 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 CommunityLouise visited the Notting Hill Adventure Playground.Presenter: Louise Cooper Producers: Diane Richardson and Khadidja Ndiaye Editor: Emma Rippon
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Fighting bank fraud branch by branch
13/07/2019 Duración: 27minMoney 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? G
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Electric Cars
10/07/2019 Duración: 32minAdam 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, GoComparePresenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon
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Unfair delivery charges in Scotland
06/07/2019 Duración: 29minPrepaid 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
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Money Box Live: Power of Attorney
03/07/2019 Duración: 37minWho 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 Samanth
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Taking a 'butchers' at contract small print
29/06/2019 Duración: 28minTens 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 pe
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Money Box Live: Cryptocurrencies
26/06/2019 Duración: 28minLouise 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, CipherTraceProducer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon
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Complaints about car loans
22/06/2019 Duración: 29minComplaints 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 se
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Childcare Costs
19/06/2019 Duración: 30minChildcare 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 @moneyboxGuests: 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
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Pension credits and the TV licence
15/06/2019 Duración: 28minAn 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
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Rent and Return
12/06/2019 Duración: 30minFor 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 ResolverPresenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Sally Abrahams