Money Box

This podcast discusses the increasing housing costs in Lancaster and the impact on individuals. Strategies for managing mortgage costs and finding affordable housing are explored. The options available for families to help first-time buyers are discussed. Various housing costs, challenges, and government schemes are also examined. They conclude with a discussion on the Chancellor's support for the housing market and future predictions.

Learn about the alarming increase in people turning to loan sharks for basic necessities, the work of the England Illegal Money Lending Team, and the availability of legal and low-cost borrowing options. Discover the reasons behind the rising cost of car insurance and potential tax implications for pensioners. Get practical tips on saving money on car insurance, including planning ahead and choosing the right policy. Plus, a special upcoming episode on housing and how listeners can share their experiences.

More than £500m was stolen by fraudsters in the first half of 2023, according to figures from UK Finance. This is less than the same period in 2022, but Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams, where people are tricked into transferring money to thieves, are on the rise.We ask what can be done to fight back against the fraudsters, both on a personal and industry-wide level?Joining Felicity Hannah are Ben Donaldson, Director of Economic Crime at UK Finance, TSB’s Manager of Fraud Operations, Paul Davis and Kathryn Westmore, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Financial Crime and Security at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank.Plus Dan Whitworth goes behind the scenes at TSB’s Fraud Prevention Centre in Sunderland. And we hear from case studies who’ve lost money, managed to get it back – but been left devastated by being scammed.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producers: Sam Clack and Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 25th October, 2023)

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.