Money Box

New figures given to Money Box show there has been a big increase in the amount of money being stolen through fake text messages offering people jobs. These recruitment scams are usually sent via text or WhatsApp and offer high pay, easy hours and the chance to work from home. Last year 126 people contacted Action Fraud saying they'd been victims of this type of scam with £977,000 stolen from them. That is 50 times as much as was reported the year before. What do you need to look out for?Storm Henk was the 8th storm of this season and more could well be on the way. As the flooding costs for insurers rise, home insurance premiums move up with them. According to the Consumer Intelligence Home Insurance Price Index they had already risen 36% by last October. We'll explain all you need to know about flood insurance.When you pay into a pension you expect it to be there for you when you retire. We investigate one listener's case who discovered her pension company had taken all her money in charges.And Paul Lewis asks listeners how they buy their music? Email moneybox@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Sandra Hardial Researcher: Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 13th January, 2024)

The price of nursery can be more than a mortgage. In fact, to send a two-year-old to nursery for 50 hours a week, allowing you to work full time, can set you back more than £14,000 a year according to Coram the children's charity.But, from April this year, working parents in England can claim 15 government funded hours for two year olds, instead of waiting for them to turn three to get help. Applications for that support are now open - but there are concerns that not all parents will be be able to get their applications processed in time to use them. We've been investigating that, and what else is available to cut childcare costs for mums and dads.We'll also hear from a nursery owner on the financial pressures of caring for children and talk about the costs of having school age kids.Felicity Hannah is joined by Paul Rhodes from the Money and Pensions Service and Meghan Meek-O'Connor, senior policy adviser on child poverty at Save the Children UK.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast on the 10th of January at 3pm on Radio 4).

The podcast discusses the recent reduction in UK national insurance tax and its impact on income. It also explores the new rules for bank account fraud refunds and the concept of gross negligence. The responsibility of banks for fraud prevention is highlighted, along with the availability of free childcare offers and the approaching deadline for tax returns.

It can feel like new year, new you, with so much potential for change and improvement, but then reality can kick in. Around 1 in 3 of us will have made a financial resolution this year, but according to Hargreaves Lansdown, almost 20% of us won't even make it to the end of this week.So how do you make them stick? Felicity Hannah is joined by behavioural & data scientist Professor Pragya Agarwal, Laura Suter, Head of Personal Finance at AJ Bell and consumer rights expert Martyn James. Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Andrew Strachan Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast on Radio 4, Wednesday the 3rd of January 2024 at 3pm)

Explore important money topics discussed between Christmas and New Year, including consumer rights, managing debt, regifting, and booking travel. Learn about the risks and etiquette of regifting, the importance of creating a budget, the tradition of filing tax returns, and tips for finding holiday bargains and avoiding travel scams.

Professor Mairi Spowage discusses the Scottish government's budget, including higher taxes for higher earners. The MEI highlights the importance of studying core maths. Tips for saving money in 2024 are shared, along with festive music from the City of Lincoln Band.

Rising rental costs, high demand for rental properties, and the impact of rising interest rates on homeowners. Challenges faced by tenants in finding affordable housing. Delays in scrapping no fault evictions and the difficulties faced by tenants. Dealing with mold and damp in rented apartments. Actions for tenants with unresolved issues and protecting against bad landlords. The shortage of rental properties and the need to shift policy to support the rental market.

The podcast discusses the rise in household costs in the UK, warns about scams and fraud associated with gift cards, and explores the upcoming increase in energy bills. It also touches on topics such as measuring household inflation, lack of security surrounding gift cards, and the potential of smart meters in creating personalized energy tariffs.

Discover the rising cost of Christmas and how to keep costs down. Learn about the prevalence of fraud and scams during the holiday season. Get tips on cutting the cost of Christmas dinner. Explore cost-effective ways to cook Christmas dinner. Learn how to navigate financial constraints and cut back on Christmas spending. End with thanks to the guests and an ad for a podcast about Joni Mitchell.

Teenagers targeted with risky financial products through social media ads; need for stronger financial education. Increasing number of homeowners making mortgage overpayments; how much is needed to make a difference. Zero interest loans for electricity, gas, and heating oil. Importance of marriage allowance and fuel cost assistance. Interest-free energy loans and financial challenges. Popularity of credit unions and promotions for Money Box podcast.