Money Box

The impact long delays have when customers repeatedly call their bank's fraud line. Money Box hears about wait times of hours and hours. Paul Lewis explores why consumers are being asked to pay additional costs on online goods they have bought from overseas and why students are fighting not to pay for rooms they don't use during lockdown. In the podcast he also interviews the head of The Business Banking Resolution Service, which began operating this week. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sowda Ali and Jonelle Awomoyi Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples Producer: Ben Carter Editor: Rosamund Jones

Almost half a million UK households are facing rent arrears according to a report from the Resolution Foundation published this week. That's in large part the result of people losing their jobs or losing pay during the pandemic. The eviction ban, which had been due to expire, has now been been extended. Louise Cooper and her panel of guests consider the impact that the end of the ban will eventually have on the rental market. They will also consider the size and severity of the property maintenance backlog that has built up over the past year and answer other questions from tenants and landlords. Contributors: Sara Stephens, partner Anthony Gold Solicitors John Stewart, deputy director policy and research National Residential Landlords Association Ruth Ehrlich, policy manager ShelterPresenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Darin Graham Editor: Rosamund Jones

Data processing and other mistakes led to huge financial costs for one Money Box listener whose credit rating went into freefall. Paul Lewis hears what went wrong and asks how similar problems might be avoided in the future. Also, unmarried parents still not being bereavement benefits to which the High Court has said they are entitled and Money Box reporter Lauren Moore looks into your refund rights on sale items. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Lauren Moore Researchers: Sowda Ali and Jonelle Awomoyi Production Co-ordinator: Janet Staples Producer: Ben Carter Editor: Rosamund Jones

Working from home has become more commonplace since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. With changes to the world of work, are you allowed to pack up your home office and work remotely in another country? Where should you pay tax? What about your employment rights? Has Brexit changed anything?Charmaine Cozier and guests look at the implications you might face if you’re working outside the UK.We'd love to hear your questions and experience. E-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now.Producer: Darin Graham Editor: Rosamund Jones

Electricity and gas bills will rise in April by an average £96 a year - an increase of 9 per cent at a time when inflation is less than 1 per cent. Ellen Fraser, energy specialist at Baringa Partners explains why.Static caravan owners are paying £5000 a year or more in holiday park fees. But they have been unable to visit them during the lockdowns and say that they have been denied refunds on their annual bills. Paul Lewis talks to Gary Rycroft, a partner with solicitors Joseph A Jones and Ros Pritchard, Director General of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.Barclays bank is refusing to refund the costs incurred by a listener after it wrongly told her it had not sold her a payment protection insurance policy (PPI). We hear from Alex Neil, Chief Executive of the consumer complaints website, Resolver.And Paul asks if firms that sell solutions to people in debt are more concerned about generating fee income than helping their customers. Sara Williams, who founded the debt advice website Debt Camel, talks through the issues.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Darin Graham and Sowda Ali Producer: Ben Carter Editor: Rosamund Jones

How do you recognise and bring an end to financial abuse? Maybe you’ve spotted that a relative is no longer eating properly, heating their home, or that money and jewellery has gone missing.Or perhaps somebody close to you is taking money, trying to take control of your bank account or even suggesting you should change your will.How do you tackle such difficult personal issues and suspicions?Paul Lewis and guest will be here to answer your questions about protecting yourself or a loved one from financial abuse on Wednesday’s Money Box Live. Joining Paul will be:Veronica Grey, Elder Abuse Charity, Hourglass Gary Rycroft, Solicitor & Partner, Joseph A Jones & Co Sandra McDonald, former Public Guardian for ScotlandE-mail your experiences and questions about financial abuse to moneybox@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Fraudsters and scammers are always finding new ways to part you from your money, pressurising you to make a hasty decision or tricking you into sharing personal information.Fake investment firms took around £78m from UK consumers last year according to fraud reporting centre Action Fraud and now warnings are being given about Covid-19 vaccine scams.On Wednesday's programme Adam Shaw and guests will look at how to spot financial fraud and what to do if you've been taken in by these convincing criminals.We'd love to hear your questions and experience so e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now.Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Rosamund Jones

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is being taken to court by mothers who claim the self-employed income support scheme discriminates against them. That's because they took maternity leave during the period their profits were assessed. The government currently calculates how much a self-employed person should receive in their grant, which covers lost profits during the pandemic, by looking at a three year average. And the maternity discrimination charity, Pregnant then Screwed, claims this disadvantages mothers whose average profits were hit because of time taken out from work. Paul Lewis talks to one of the mothers affected and speaks to Anna Dews from solicitors Leigh Day.A record one billion pounds will be spent next year on compensating customers of financial miss-selling by firms that have gone out of business, according to a forecast in The Financial Services Compensation Scheme Plan and Budget for 2021/22. The cost is more than a third higher than was paid out this year and that was over a third higher than last year’s total. It has just about doubled over three years. What's going on? Paul Lewis talks to FSCS Chief Executive, Caroline Rainbird.Nearly two months after Money Box first reported that the DWP was wrongly telling thousands of people that they owed it hundreds of pounds, Money Box continues to hear from listeners who say it is still going on. The Government told Money Box before Christmas that it had sorted the problem out. But Dan Whitworth talks to one woman who lost £1400 in December.The self assessment tax deadline has been extended to 28 February, so if you file after the original deadline of 31 January , the £100 penalty can be avoided. But the tax does still needs to be paid by the end of this month, not February. Confused? Don't worry because Heather Self, tax partner at Blick Rothenberg explains all. Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Ben Carter Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Darin Graham and Sowda Ali Editor: Rosamund Jones

Stay at home is the current advice but travel companies are reporting a surge in holiday bookings from those hoping for adventure later this year.Others may have rebooked a trip which was cancelled last summer but be uncertain about whether they can or should go. What happens if your trip is cancelled again and what should you consider if you need or hope to travel safely when restrictions ease?On Wednesday’s programme Adam Shaw and guests will answer your questions about travel rules, rights and refunds. e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now.On the panel are:Rory Boland, Travel Editor, Which? Jill Starley-Grainger, Editor, JetsetJourneysPresenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Rosamund Jones

Tens of thousands of students are being denied access to student funding despite a Government pledge in 2013 to change things. The delay to an 'alternative' student finance scheme would enable thousands of Muslim students to fund their university education every year.A damning report into how the Financial Conduct Authority has acted on pensions transfers. Many who've taken bad advice may have no recourse to compensation. Money Box has learnt that since the pandemic started last year thousands of people have been refused Universal Credit because they have over £16k in savings. We hear from someone who claims this rule has put her home deposit back by 10 years.In the podcast we are joined by Martin Lewis with an update on the fourth slice of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer/reporter: Alex Lewis Producers: Darin Graham and Ben Carter Editor: Rosamund Jones