Money Box

A hairbrush company has £1.6m stolen in a fraud case, highlighting the lack of police investigation and low chance of prosecution in fraud cases. The emotional impact of fraud and the argument for longer sentences are explored. The role of banks in enabling fraud is discussed, as well as ongoing discussions to combat it. The challenges faced in the Help to Buy scheme, including administrative problems and delays, are also mentioned.

Learn about the impact of the digital divide on finances, including how being offline can cost you over £1,000 a year. Explore the challenges faced by older adults in using the internet and online services. Discover the accessibility barriers for people with low vision and the importance of online accessibility. Find out about the work of Good Things Foundation in assisting individuals with digital skills and overcoming connectivity challenges in rural areas. Explore the frustrations of poor connectivity and lack of community support.

This week, the energy watchdog Ofgem released data showing energy debts reached £2.6 billion between April and June. It says the rise in debt was due to both the increase in wholesale energy prices and wider cost of living pressures. We'll get reaction to that figure from Octopus Energy, one of the UK's biggest suppliers.More and more people are taking money out of their private pensions. Between April and June, 4 billion pounds was withdrawn from pensions by more than 500,000 people - 15% more than a year ago. What should you consider before you take money out of your pension? And, two weeks before the deadline to get your paper tax return in, HMRC says it will take three weeks to post the form to you. What are your options if you still need to send one?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast, 12pm Saturday 14th October, 2023)

Discover the different ways people save for their own funeral expenses, from choosing burial or cremation to unique arrangements and making financial provisions for rising costs. Explore options for affordable funerals, legal considerations of burial in one's own garden, and the emotional stress faced by loved ones when plans are made at the last minute. Learn about the importance of personalization, body donation to science, and early planning and saving for funeral costs.

A funeral plan company with more than 13,000 customers has gone bust leaving thousands of people without the plan they paid for. One Life Funeral Planning Limited was just 1 of around 40 firms which were not approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in July 2022 when it took over regulation of funeral planners. Attempts to find a regulated firm to take over its customers failed and last November its directors put it into administration. What can its customers do?Christine Farnish, a former non-executive director at the energy regulator Ofgem, has told Money Box the amount of credit held by energy companies is a "real problem" that needs looking at. It comes after we revealed last week that suppliers held more than £8bn of customers' money in the form of credit on their accounts in the first three months of this year. Ofgem said protecting customers is its top priority and that it encourages suppliers to help customers spread the cost of winter over a full year to help them manage their bills. Previously Energy UK have told us told us at the time this £8.1bn was being held as credit prices were extremely volatile and the level of government help was unknown.Nearly half a million new 18 year olds have not claimed hundreds even thousands of pounds waiting for them in child trust funds the govt and parents set aside for them. Check here: findctf.sharefound.org And is there a way to tell if you really are investing ethically? A new database may be a step towards that. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast, 12pm Saturday 7th October, 2023)

Learn how to cut energy costs this winter with tips on improving heating efficiency, reducing heat loss, and adjusting boiler flow temperature. Explore the operations of a fuel bank and Nesta's energy-saving methods. Discover the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in managing energy bills and support available. Find out about the cost savings of using solar panels and a heat pump to generate free energy.

Energy companies holding £8.1 billion of customer credit, struggle for refunds. Few unmarried parents claim bereavement benefits. Self-assessment tax deadline approaching. Changes to energy bills in England, Scotland, and Wales.

The Bank of England has held interest rates at 5.25%, ending a run of 14 consecutive increases. What does that mean for mortgages? We'll also look back one year on from the mini-budget. Hear from Clare Beardmore the Director of the Mortgage Club at Legal and General and Nimesh Shah the CEO of Blick Rothenberg.Nearly half of our universities are now encouraging students to work part time by promoting it on their websites. The Higher Education Policy Institute, which carried out the research, has described it as a major change in the attitude of universities. Dan Whitworth reports from St. Andrews.And what does the rates freeze mean for savers - we'll speak to Anna Bowes the founder of SavingsChampion.co.uk.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Sam Clack Researchers: Luke Smithurst and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess QuayleMortgages 00:00 Students and Part-time Work 10:26 Energy Report 18:35 Savings and Best Rates 19:29(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 23rd September, 2023)

This podcast discusses the impact of inflation on rising bills and provides tips for reducing personal inflation rates. Topics include saving money on groceries, understanding the consumer price index, the impact of rising prices on everyday expenses, and overpaying for dating app subscriptions.

Exclusive data for Money Box suggest that 1 in 5 UK adults have had to ration things like heating or electricity to keep up with their debt repayments. 1 in 8 have changed the food they eat for less healthy options. The survey, carried out by debt charity StepChange, found a third of adults say they are in financial difficulties, but half would be reluctant to contact their lenders to try to sort things out. We'll speak to the CEO of StepChange Vikki Brownridge.Listeners who run community groups battle their banks over unexplained account closures. What are your rights?Millions of pounds of Pension Credit has been claimed by thousands of people in London who didn't know they were eligible. A recent campaign saw 8,200 older households in 17 London boroughs receive targeted letters to make them aware that they might be able to get the benefit. As a result there were more than 2,000 successful claims, worth just under £8.4 million. Plus, Money Box journalism leads to questions being asked in parliament over an energy scheme that thousands of people missed out on.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Sandra Hardial Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 16th Sept, 2023)00:00 Rationing to pay debts 08:40 Bank Account Closures 14:44 Energy Bills 16:59 Pension Credit