Money Box

Oct 26 2024 603 ep. 29 mins 36.1k

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The latest news from the world of personal finance plus advice for those trying to make the most of their money.

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Working on Benefits and Banking Hubs

Oct 26 2024 24 mins

A new report given exclusively to Money Box is calling for more help for working families on Universal Credit. The University of Bath’s Institute for Policy Research wants the government to raise earning thresholds for extra help like free school meals, NHS prescriptions, council tax support and NHS dental help. The government says it's committed to supporting low-income families

Money Box Live: Can you afford university?

Oct 23 2024 28 mins

Across the UK freshers are heading off to university, many leaving home for the first time and most of them are paying for at least some of that with their student loans. Graduates in England leave university with average debts of around £48,500 according to the Student Loans Company.Tuition fees vary depending on where you live in the UK. Last year students in England were told t

Social Tariffs and Open Banking

Oct 19 2024 24 mins

People are missing out on nearly two billion pounds' worth of discounts on water bills and broadband, according to Citizen's Advice. Social tariffs give lower prices to people on low incomes, but the charity says there's a "postcode lottery" when it comes to what people can get. The government says more than 1.3 million households in England and Wales benefitted from £200m worth o

Money Box Live: Fostering Finance

Oct 16 2024 28 mins

There are nearly 70,000 children in the UK who are in foster care. Foster carers main concern has to be the children they look after, including many who have experienced neglect and trauma. But they are self-employed, so there are also financial considerations, from allowances and fees, to tax returns and receipts. In this programme we'll hear from charities, foster carers and care

Winter Fuel Payment and Inheritance Tax

Oct 12 2024 24 mins

Hundreds of thousands of disabled pensioners will be unfairly impacted by the cut in Winter Fuel Payment, according to two leading charities who've spoken exclusively to Money Box. Disability Rights UK and Age UK have both told us that disabled pensioners often have higher energy bills because of medical needs and sharp cuts to the number of people receiving the payment will dispro

Money Box Live: Gambling Debt

Oct 09 2024 28 mins

Figures given exclusively to Money Box Live show that almost two-thirds of people who called the National Gambling Helpline had gambling related debt. So what are the options and what support is available? This week Felicity Hannah speaks to those affected by gambling, either themselves or through a family member. Joining her to talk about it are Nicholas Hill from the Money and Pe

Household Support Fund and Gambling with Credit

Oct 05 2024 24 mins

Hundreds of millions of pounds has been made available from the government for local authorities across the UK to spend on those most in need of financial help. Known as the Household Support Fund it's made up of £421 million for councils in England with another £79 million for devolved nations. Dan Whitworth meets Sam, who's 28 and got help from the fund via Stockport Disability

Money Box Live: Cheaper Childcare?

Oct 02 2024 28 mins

Working parents and carers of children aged 9 months or over are now entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare a week during term time.50 hours of nursery can cost around £14,000 a year, so it's a welcome relief for many. There had been warnings that parents would struggle to find places but the government says it is confident about meeting demand.From next September, the offer is

Winter Fuel Payment and Using Cash

Sep 28 2024 24 mins

Many pensioners in England and Wales will lose Winter Fuel Payments this year. This annual payment had been universal and worth £200 or £300 pounds a year, depending on your age. From this winter it will be restricted to pensioners receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits. The reason for means testing it this way is to save money - about £1.5bn each year. In a sta

Money Box Live: Chasing a Dream

Aug 28 2024 28 mins

Not every dream job has an obvious route to success, so how do you make your passion project pay without falling behind on your bills?Visa research shows that around 45% of Gen Zs (people born between the late1990s and the early 2010) have a side hustle, but it's not just for the cash. More than a quarter of those are working at a passion project.So how do you make it if you want a