The Martin Lewis Podcast

An urgent breakdown of the FCA’s mass car finance redress scheme and who it covers. Clear guidance on why you should complain now and which types of agreements qualify. Explanations of payout rules, improved interest rates and timelines. Practical notes on cancelling claims firms, deceased borrowers’ rights and what to expect next.

Listeners get practical tips on claiming travel insurance refunds after cancellations tied to international conflict. A telecom billing dispute over a promised 50% discount sparks clear tactics for challenging providers. There’s an emotional debt recovery story that inspired action. Consumer rights for a faulty five-year OLED TV and when paying a credit card in full may not be best are also explored.

Clear breakdown of Lifetime ISAs: how the £1,000 annual government bonus works, who can open one and the withdrawal rules. Comparison of Lifetime ISA versus Help to Buy ISA and when transferring makes sense. Practical tips on using LISAs alongside pensions, Universal Credit and joint purchases. A roundup of current best-buy LISA and Help to Buy providers and insider workplace money-saving tips.

Listeners ask whether car finance agreements qualify for mis-selling redress and how to complain to get paid. There's practical advice on pairing up cards to chase limited-time cashback and the risks that brings. A banking mix-up over accidental cashback raises questions about what to do. A nine-year-old learning pocket money through chores makes for a charming finance primer.

Ed Marshall, a chartered financial planner who advises on ISAs and investments, joins the chat. They cover ISA basics, allowances and transfer rules. Conversations include cash versus stocks ISAs, top cash rates, diversification and passive tracker funds. Practical tips on timing transfers, pound-cost averaging and platform costs are also discussed.

Listeners ask practical money and tech questions. Topics include whether to overpay a mortgage, which travel insurance policy to claim, and rules for opening a junior ISA. They explore cancelling online subscriptions, a broadband money-saving success, and quirky bits like how height affects step counts.

Deidre, a representative from Surviving Economic Abuse who supports survivors of financial control, talks about recognising and responding to economic abuse. The conversation covers how joint accounts can be misused, practical support steps, and how friends can help. Other segments look at car finance mis-selling and finding old agreements, plus tips on joint accounts and timelines for redress.

Listeners get quick answers on whether to switch broadband before April and how promotional pricing and rules affect timing. Back-claiming child benefit and recent eligibility rules are clarified. The maths behind a 7% regular saver paying much less is unpacked. Refund rights for faulty game credits and insurance options for disabled drivers who need flexible cover are explored.

Lucy Spencer, financial-planning partner who advises on gifting and pensions, and Harriet Brown, tax barrister and CIOT fellow, join to unpack inheritance tax rules. They cover thresholds, spousal transfers that can create large couple allowances, lifetime gifts and the seven-year rule. They also discuss the 2027 change bringing pensions into estates and practical record-keeping tips.

Tackles serious debt worries and where to find breathing-space support. Celebrates a journey from homelessness to buying a home and what to do next. Weighs up saving, 0% finance and Buy Now Pay Later. Explains safe ways to use interest-free cards and the stoozing trick. Discusses whether to close unused current accounts and shares a couple of surprising personal anecdotes.