Money Box

As the number of homeowners behind on their mortgage jumps we look at a scheme in Wales trying to help people stay in their homes.Also on the programme we speak to experts who weigh up the pros and cons of deferring your state pension and hear about the complications one woman had in getting the money she was owed.We'll tell you if you're eligible for the winter fuel payment and, as the cost of living continues to bite, we visit a baby bank in Perth and Kinross to meet the volunteers who run it to speak to them about the increasing demand for help in providing everything from nappies to milk powder to wipes and toys.

This week we are talking all things love and money and what co-habiting, marriage and divorce mean for your finances.Do you split the bills evenly or have a complicated spreadsheet to work out who pays what? It comes as recent research published by the University of Bristol revealed 100,000 couples divorce in England and Wales every year - but only a third of them use the legal system to sort out their finances - the majority negotiate their own arrangements or in the worst cases, reach no settlement at all.So, Felicity Hannah will cover everything from how to have those tricky money conversations with each other to how couples split their finances. This week to answer your questions and comments, we're joined by Laura Suter, Head of Personal Finance at AJ Bell and Nigel Shepherd, specialist family lawyer and consultant with Mills & Reeve.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producers: Sarah Rogers Editor: Dan Whitworth (This episode was first broadcast on Wednesday the 8th of November).

This podcast discusses the reimbursement records of individual banks for fraud victims, the taxation of savings interest, and the release of figures by the payment systems regulator. It also explores the findings of a report on fraud refunds and savings tax, the fight against fraud in the tech sector, unequal asset division in divorces, and the financial vulnerability of women after divorce.

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.