Dan Whitworth

In this engaging discussion, Emma Smith, a Money Box reporter, and Devon Ghilani from Policy in Practice delve into the government's push to increase pension credit awareness among seniors. They highlight the financial benefits it brings, including winter fuel payments. Dan Whitworth sheds light on council tax debt, critiquing aggressive collection practices. The episode also explores why many renters forgo insurance despite the risks of losing their belongings, offering valuable insights into affordable options to protect their finances.

Dan Whitworth, a broadcast reporter focusing on social policy, and Liz Sayce, a disability and social policy expert, dive into urgent topics. They tackle the challenges unpaid carers face, revealing how flawed guidance has led to significant debts due to overpayments of Carer's Allowance. Sayce emphasizes the need for government action on her independent review's recommendations. Additionally, they discuss the recent commitment to exempt compensation for families affected by contaminated blood from inheritance tax, bringing relief to many.

Eimear Devlin, a dedicated reporter investigating child benefit issues, joins Dan Whitworth, who shares insights on the rising costs of school trips. Together, they explore the fallout from HMRC's suspension of child benefits affecting thousands due to holiday data errors. Dara Hughes, a Sinn Féin MP, highlights the severe impacts on families and the political implications. Charlotte Harding offers practical advice for schools to support parents with trip expenses as financial pressures rise. Conversations also touch on potential changes to council tax and protections for domestic violence victims.

Dan Whitworth, a BBC reporter, leads the discussion on the alarming rise of unauthorised recurring card payments that catch consumers off guard. Catherine Hart from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute explains why this practice is deemed outrageous and how to reclaim lost funds. Trusha Hirani, a solicitor, emphasizes the critical need for professionally drafted wills and the risks of dying intestate. Craig Calder from TSB reveals that two-thirds of first-time buyers are overpaying their mortgages and shares strategies to balance overpayments with budgeting.

In this insightful discussion, Dan Whitworth, a reporter for Money Box, delves into the looming financial challenges faced by middle-aged households in light of the forthcoming budget. With rising costs forcing difficult choices, he highlights a staggering rise in households struggling to balance heating and food. The conversation also tackles the implications of changing interest rates and warns about the pitfalls of unregulated 'finfluencers' giving potentially harmful financial advice online. Discover how to navigate these turbulent financial waters!