Money Box

Melanie Shufflebotham, co-founder of ZapMap, explains charging infrastructure and options for drivers. Stuart Masson, automotive journalist at The Car Expert, breaks down ownership costs, depreciation and insurance. They discuss upfront prices versus running costs, home and public charging challenges, long-distance rapid charging and options for people without driveways.

Olivia Egdell-Page, partner and property law specialist, explains how restrictive covenants can shape what you can do with a home. She walks through spotting covenants on Land Registry titles. She discusses enforcement risks, potential remedies and the role and limits of indemnity insurance. Practical tips on checking deeds and when to seek legal advice.

Nina Sperring, wealth protection solicitor specialising in estate planning and trusts, and Clare Moffat, pension and tax specialist at Royal London, unpack inheritance tax basics and rising pressures. They cover thresholds and transferable allowances. They explore gifting rules, the seven-year taper, residence and farm reliefs, deeds of variation, upcoming pension IHT changes and charitable giving effects.

Andrew Snowden, Conservative MP who raised parliamentary questions on HMRC errors. Jo Krasner, reporter who interviewed shoppers about credit card use. Dan Whitworth, reporter who explains transport and pensions. They cover widespread wrongful suspensions of Child Benefit and HMRC responses. They explore rising credit card borrowing and everyday reasons people lean on cards. They also outline a pension rule that can boost savings.

Louise Claro, Managing Director of Circle Financial Services and practical personal finance adviser, and Penny East, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society and gender equality campaigner, discuss changes since the Sex Discrimination Act. They cover why the gender pay gap persists, how childcare and part-time work shape careers, mortgage and pension challenges for women, and risks of biased AI in hiring and pay advice.

Claire Moffat, pensions and tax expert at Royal London, explains how unspent pensions could be brought into inheritance tax and what that means for beneficiaries. Jonathan Athow, senior HMRC official, lays out Making Tax Digital, who must move to quarterly software reporting and how HMRC plans support. They also cover savings rate shifts, scams around energy support, and practical concerns about the rollout.

Steph (iDriveAClassic), a classic-car YouTuber who monetises and reinvests earnings; Vix Rodwell, MD at the Self-Employment Association offering practical freelance finance; Jack Gamble, director at Campaign for the Arts with sector and policy insight; Christopher Biggins, veteran actor known for pantomime. They discuss making creative work pay, seasonal income swings, pensions and tax planning, sector-wide pay and access issues.

Dan Whitworth, an investigative reporter, discusses the rise in later-life marriages due to inheritance tax changes. Sally Mitchell, a mortgage broker, shares insights on current mortgage rates and how relaxed rules are helping first-time buyers. Charlie Newsome, a Warren Buffett fan and wealth manager, delves into Buffett’s investment principles and the excitement of his shareholder meetings. The conversation also touches on potential implications of new policies for finances and pensions, making for an engaging blend of personal finance and life changes.

In this lively discussion, Jo Thurston, a parenting coach from Action for Children, shares insights on the complexities of blended family finances. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication to navigate issues like budgeting for gifts and coordinating holiday traditions. Jo also highlights the legal steps necessary when merging families, including parental responsibility agreements and the significance of explicit wills for safeguarding children's inheritance. Listeners gain practical tips for fostering fairness and harmony in blended family dynamics.

Join Sarah Pritchard, Deputy Chief Executive of the FCA, as she discusses upcoming investment changes aimed at encouraging more people to invest rather than keep their savings in cash. She explains the new targeted support framework, detailing how it will tailor recommendations based on customer profiles. The conversation also touches on significant historical shifts, including women's financial rights that began transforming in 1975, highlighting personal stories from women who experienced the old lending rules firsthand.