Money Box (BBC Radio 4)

The savings that energy companies promise customers are in many cases fictional and never will materialise. Those are the findings of a Money Box investigation. We found that the savings energy companies have been quoting to urge large numbers of customers to switch tariffs are phantom and can never be achieved. We have discovered that this is down to the way that Ofgem makes suppliers and comparison websites work out potential savings using the standard variable tariff as a basis for comparison even though customers may not even be on it.

This week the Financial Conduct Authority outlined a new approach for regulating the promotion and distribution of Lifetime ISAs which will be available from April 2017. LISAs are intended to allow people aged under-40 to save for a home and retirement simultaneously with a cash bonus worth up to £1,000 a year being added to every £4,000 saved in to the scheme. Lifetime ISAs have come under criticism from the industry so will this new approach make any difference?

As of next spring the UK will have a new main measure of inflation. The Consumer Price Inflation including Housing (CPIH) includes the costs of owner-occupied housing. We discuss its pros and cons.

And Sweden's central bank is currently considering launching a digital currency in a move away from hard cash. We ask the bank's Deputy Governor how a central bank supported digital currency could work and what challenges it would create.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Michael Robinson Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Andrew Smith.

Around 75,000 travellers were left facing long delays and cancellations after a British Airways computer system failed over the Bank Holiday weekend. Helen Dewdney, founder of the Complaining Cow consumer advice blog outlines how affected passengers should approach the compensation process.

Ahead of next week's general election Chris Philp from the Conservative Party and SNP spokesperson for work and pensions Ian Blackford set out their personal finance manifestos. What might the policies mean for your money?

Louise Cooper would like to hear your views, experiences and questions about being a buy to let landlord. Call 03700 100 444 between 1pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday 28 June or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.

The end of mortgage interest relief, the loss of the so called wear and tear allowance and additional stamp duty charges on new property purchases may mean that landlords have to rethink their financial plans. Some landlords are being encouraged to set up a limited company to avoid the charges but how does it work and could it end up costing you more?

Stricter mortgage affordability assessments will also apply to landlords who own four or more properties from September 2017, limiting the overall amount you can borrow.

And what are the rules about tax and mortgages if you're a landlord thinking of letting a property through Airbnb?

Joining Louise Cooper to talk through the business of buy to let will be:

Carolyn Uphill, Chairman, National Landlords Association. Anil Mohanlal , Chartered Accountant and Managing Partner, Kumar & Co. David Hollingworth, from Mortgage Broker London and Country.

We'd love to hear your ideas. Call 03700 100 444 between 1pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday 28 June. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply. Or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk with your thoughts and experiences.

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Andrew Smith.

The current State Pension system - guarantees anyone with requisite NI contributions a pension of £150ish a week (in real terms. It is protected by the "triple lock" and guarantees a minimum income on reaching State retirement age. But....it's not enough to live on - it's only it's only remotely enough for those with no housing costs and no-one believes the triple lock is affordable for much longer. How much can we rely on the State to fund a retirement. Presenter:Paul Lewis Producer: Ben Carter Editor: Andrew Smith.

For many people, the workplace pension has been the crux of a decent income in retirement - a guaranteed sum paid for the whole of your non-working life. Stockmarket fluctuations, our increasing longevity and well-meaning changes to pensions policy by successive governments have helped make these sorts of schemes unaffordable. At the same time, something equally fundamental has been happening to the structure of the workplace as well as the nature of the relationship and expectations between employer and employee.

The last 10 years has seen the closure of 60% of schemes which would guarantee you a 'wage' in retirement. Since 2012 a system of auto enrollment has instead required all employers to offer a pension that employees are opted into by default. But these come without any assurances about future pay outs and contribution rates are low.

So what role do employers' pension schemes now have in providing us with a comfortable retirement?

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Andrew Smith.

More than 90,000 graduates were refunded hundreds of pounds last year after HMRC took payments for their student loan even though they had paid it off. Money Box has discovered these overpayments are routinely taken for many months because HMRC fails to communicate properly with the Student Loans Company. The programme hears from graduates who've experienced this and from tax expert Graham Farquhar at RSM.

The UK's biggest doorstep lender is in trouble. Shares in Provident Financial plummeted 65% at the end of August. They have recovered slightly but now the company has issued another profit warning after trying to modernise its business and save costs. Doorstep lending began over a hundred years ago. Local agents arrange loans in customers' homes and collect repayments weekly. The sums involved are often small. But the interest charged is very high - more than 500% on a six month loan. A former Provident Financial Agent Ian sheds light on how the business of doorstep lending works. And Peter Tutton from the debt charity Stepchange outlines his concerns.

Big changes are coming in the way that investment funds treat their clients. From January they will have to bill customers separately for the cost of research - at the moment it is bundled into the annual charges. Some funds - like the US mutual Vanguard - have said they will absorb all research costs. That could bring charges down. But there are other changes all being brought in under a European Directive that could put charges up. Louise Oliver, Chartered Wealth Manager and Director of Piercefield Oliver and Gina Miller, Director of fund manager SCM Direct, debate the issues.

What was troubling the tax man back in 1977 when Money Box first broadcast? Chairman of the Board of the Inland Revenue, Sir William Pile took the hot seat in our first ever programme, quizzed by presenters Louise Botting and Peter Hobday. Simplifying tax, competence and the sensitivity of tax inspectors were all on the agenda. So what's changed in the last 40 years and have HMRC got to grips with these early challenges? Adam Shaw and guests listen back to Sir William's Pile's interview and talk tax then and now.

On the panel are:

Yvette Nunn, Council Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. Jane Moore ,Technical Manager, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. John Whiting, former Tax Director, Office of Tax Simplification.

To let us know your thoughts, call 03700 100 444 between 1pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday 4 October, standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply. Or e-mail your questions and experiences to moneybox@bbc.co.uk

(Photo: Denis Healey, Chancellor of the Exchequer with wife Edna beside him)

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producers: Lizzy McNeill and Diane Richardson Editor: Andrew Smith.

Black Box technology is regularly touted as a way of reducing car insurance premiums. If the box shows your driving is safe then you qualify for refunds on your premiums. But how does the box determine that your driving is safe? Money Box reporter Tony Bonsignore has discovered that every company has a different way of assessing safe driving and that the digital readings are not always as accurate as they could be.

The Government has published a draft bill to cap energy prices. What will that mean in practice for energy consumers? While two thirds of people who stick with the same supplier will see bills come down, those that "embrace the market" and regularly switch to the best deal may pay more than they otherwise would. Meanwhile some mid-size energy suppliers with many customers on the highest tariffs - the so-called standard variable tariff - may well go out of business.

And is it the end for peer 2 peer lending? One expert warns that risks to investors have 'intensified significantly'.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Tony Bonsignore Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Andrew Smith.

Rent controls are common across Europe - but do they work? And could they work in the UK? It's a popular idea with voters but detractors say it could destroy the private rental sector.

Nearly a third of private tenants had problems paying their rent, according to a recent report published by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Amid rising concerns about the cost of renting, there are renewed calls for some sort of price cap to limit cost increases - a policy already in progress in Scotland.

For this edition of Money Box Live Adam Shaw examines how bad it's got for tenants and whether rent cap schemes in Germany and Sweden have helped or hindered the market for both landlord and tenant.

CONTRIBUTORS

Seb Klier, Generation Rent

Anna Clarke, Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research, University of Cambridge

David Smith, Residential Landlords Association

Reiner Wild, Berliner Mieterverein (tenants association)

Billy McCormac, Fastighetsägarna Stockholm (landlords association).

New technology is transforming the way we handle our finances. Are you someone who uses mobile apps to keep track of how you spend your money or does the thought of it fill you with dread?

Have you signed up to text alerts informing you of when you're about to go overdrawn? Do you use Twitter and other forms of social media to communicate with your bank or would you rather visit your branch and have a chat with a real person?

Open banking, an industry wide initiative being introduced by the Competition and Markets Authority in January 2018, will mean that customers can choose to share their financial data with third party providers. The aim is to encourage more competition within financial services and provide customers with greater market choice and control over their money. Customers should be able to see a single view of their finances and receive recommendations about new financial and non-financial products such as broadband and energy tariffs. Does this prospect excite you or worry you?

Call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 1st November or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk.

Joining Louise in the studio are:

Imran Gulamhuseinwala, Global Head of FinTech at Ernst and Young and Implementation Trustee for Open Banking. Dominic Lindley, consumer campaigner and Director of Policy at think tank New City Agenda

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Helena Selby Editor: Andrew Smith

Parents who use two government childcare schemes tell Money Box about a problem they fear is putting their children at risk of losing their nursery places. It happens when they go online to reconfirm their continued eligibility for either the tax-free childcare top up scheme or for 30 hours free childcare. After receiving a successful confirmation message they then get another one saying their entitlement will be stopped as they no longer meet the criteria - despite there being no significant change in their circumstances.

Workers who are paid weekly and who also claim Universal Credit face having it stopped or reduced next month. The benefit is assessed on the basis of a four week month and there are five Fridays in December, which means the extra pay packet could push them over the income threshold to qualify for payment. To receive it again they have to reapply. As Universal Credit is paid in arrears there are concerns it could severely damage people's finances. Guest: Kayley Hignell, Head of Policy, Families, Welfare and Work, Citizen's Advice.

The idea of increasing National Insurance Contributions by 1 percent to raise an extra £5bn towards funding adult social care in England is being put forward in a new report. One of its authors, Andrew Kaye, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Independent Age discusses with Angus Henton, Co-founder of the Intergenerational Foundation.

Stamp duty is 'gumming up' the housing market according to joint research from The London School of Economics and the Family Building Society. It claims the prospect of a large tax bill is causing potential downsizers to stay where they are. Guest: LSE Professor Tony Travers.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Vivienne Nunis Producer: Charmaine Cozier.

What are the government's plans for tax and spending and how will they affect your personal finances? As the Chancellor delivers his second budget of the year, we're expecting measures to boost house-building and help young voters get on the property ladder. There may be a stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers or for pension-age homeowners wanting to downsize. Changes to pensions may be on the cards. What help might there be for savers and investors - and how will it be funded? Paul Lewis and a panel of experts assess the impact on the pound in your pocket. We'll meet the Marsden family from Oxfordshire, three generations living under the same roof - with an age range of 21 to 90 years old. How will the budget impact their lives?

Paul Lewis will be joined by:

Anita Monteith, Technical Manager at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Tom Selby, Senior Analyst at AJ Bell Iona Bain, Founder, Young Money blog

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Sally Abrahams.

There's concern that thousands of steelworkers and former steelworkers at Port Talbot may have been badly advised to withdraw funds and put them into unsuitable investments. Money Box has learned that six firms have now voluntarily stopped signing up new clients. Money Box's Tony Bonsignore reports from Port Talbot. The programme hears from steelworker Paul who fears he's made the worst financial decision in his life. Megan Butler, director of supervision at the FCA and Michelle Cracknell, from the Pensions Advisory Service, explain the latest details of this complex situation.

The Scottish Government is flexing its muscles over tax. As Money Box previewed last week, its draft Budget this week set out plans for increasing the present three income tax bands to five. Those earning up to £33,000 - will pay less income tax than they do this year. But some on higher incomes will pay considerably more. Stephen Hay, head of tax at accountants RSM joins the programme.

Presenter; Paul Lewis Producer: Lesley McAlpine Editor: Andrew Smith.

The FCA is warning about a form of online high-risk trading which some firms are illegally offering in the UK. Binary options trading involves betting on whether anything that can be measured in financial terms, like a currency or share index, will rise or fall below a specified price at a certain time. The FCA began regulating last month which means it's now illegal to sell those trades in the UK without its authorisation. Money Box listener Penny lost nearly £17,000 with an unauthorised firm but what can the FCA do in future to protect people like Penny? Christopher Woolard FCA Director of Strategy and Competition explains.

The Department of Work and Pensions has confirmed that all Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims will be reviewed. It follows a Government decision not to challenge a court ruling that said changes to PIP were unfair to people with mental health conditions. Guest Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of the mental health charity Mind.

Interest-only mortgage holders are being urged to contact their lenders after a financial regulator review found too many people avoid planning how they intend to clear the underlying debt when the mortgage ends. It comes as Bank of England figures show December mortgage approvals reached a three year low. Why? Guests: Jane King, Independent Financial Adviser with Ash-Ridge Private Finance and Samuel Tombs, Chief UK Economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Jim Frank.

This week a report from the Work and Pensions Select Committee says British Steel pension scheme members were targeted by "vulture" financial advisers after Tata was allowed to offload its retirement fund. It found that members were "shamelessly bamboozled" into transferring out of their final salary schemes, and criticises the Pensions Regulator and the FCA. The report also urged the FCA to ban contingent charging where financial advisers receive a fee for transfer advice, calling it "a key driver of poor advice." Guest Martin Bamford Chartered Financial Planner and Managing Director at Informed Choice

Reporter Tony Bonsignore examines the issue of child maintenance and self-employed earnings as a bill on child maintenance evasion progresses towards its second reading. It's seeking to crack down on parents who use their self-employed status to "disguise the means they have available to financially support their non-resident children." Guest: Sumi Rabindrakumar from Gingerbread, the national charity for single parent families.

Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) intend to lobby government to make the necessary changes to introduce what would be the UK's first collective defined contribution (CDC) scheme. It follows Royal Mail's decision to close its defined benefit scheme, which essentially pays out based on years worked and salary earned. How would the CDC scheme work and is there room for another pension option? Hilary Salt, founder of First Actuarial, who advised the CWU on the new scheme and Hugh Nolan, Chair of the Defined Contribution Committee for the Association of Consulting Actuaries, discuss.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Jim Frank.

The cost of living alone, rather than living as a couple, is more than £1000 a year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. In the UK nearly eight million people now live alone and spend on average £21 a week more than individuals who live as a couple. Money Box reporter Marie Keyworth visits Sussex to investigate the cost of living, shopping, exercising and holidaying alone.

Up to 90,000 people on benefits are at risk of losing their home when the Government stops paying the interest on their mortgage in just over two weeks' time. In future, help with mortgage interest will be paid as a loan not a benefit. But new figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show that around 90% of those who get this benefit have not yet signed up for the loan that replaces it. It will be the same amount and still paid direct to their lender. But it will be a loan from the Government and secured against their home. If they do not sign up for the loan arrangement the money will stop from April 6th. We hear from Kit Malthouse, the Minister for Family Support, Child Maintenance and Housing, and from debt advisor Sara Williams, the founder of the Debt Camel blog.

Also - Under Financial Conduct Authority rules, if you want to transfer a defined benefits pension of more than £30,000, you must seek guidance first. It's a safeguard against you making potentially disastrous financial decisions - but not an absolute block. That's because under pension freedom, it's your money and your decision. But one Money Box listener who received advice, but chose a different option, found it impossible to get her confirmation letter - which meant her pension transfer couldn't go ahead. Michelle Cracknell, chief executive of the Pensions Advisory Service explains your rights..

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Paul Waters.

On 25th May, sweeping new data protection rules come into force, changing the way individuals and businesses deal with personal data.

The EU's General Data Protection Regulation - or GDPR for short - will give you the right to do things like ask companies and organisation to tell you what data they are holding on you, and how it's being used. It will also restrict the way direct marketing reaches your email inbox, and means you will be told if your data is compromised by hackers.

While the new rules strengthen individual rights, it's a big change for businesses, who are running out of time to comply. While some are confident they will be ready by next month's deadline, others are complaining that information explaining what precise changes need to be made is hard to come by.

And with the maximum fine of around £17 million or 4% of global annual turnover, the consequences of a company failing to comply could be huge.

In this programme we explain what GDPR will mean for you as an individual, and for your business, busting some myths along the way. As ever we want to hear your experiences; email: moneybox@bbc.co.uk.

Adam Shaw will be joined by a panel of guests: Annabel Kaye, co-founder of Koffee Klatch Nina O'Sullivan, Legal Director and Professional Support Lawyer at Mishcon de Reya Steve Wood, Deputy Commissioner at the Information Commissioner's Office

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Marie Keyworth Editor: Jim Frank.

We speak to people who are worried that they've lost control of their life savings having handed it to a company they can no longer contact. Their situation highlights the huge concerns about the unregulated industry of inheritance planning, even though some businesses handle huge amounts of cash. Anyone can set themselves up as an estate planner or will writer but that lack of regulation can have alarming consequences when things don't go as planned.

Also, Adam Shaw speaks to Richard Lloyd, the man appointed to lead an independent investigation into the running of the Financial Ombudsman Service. It follows a TV documentary that revealed a litany of problems facing the ombudsman, including severely under-trained staff, unachievable targets, and thousands of incorrect decisions. .

And, what should banks be doing to stop the persistence of transfer fraud? With more than £200 million worth of people's money was lost last year after criminals impersonating their bank persuaded them to transfer money to the criminal's account. The victim's own banks won't be held accountable, but what about the bank where the stolen money is moved to? Natasha Vernier, Monzo Bank's Head of Financial Crime gives us one bank's view, and fraud consultant Richard Emery of 4 Keys International explains how banks should be forced to accept responsibility.

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Marie Keyworth Editor: Jim Frank.

New figures show a rise in contracts that do not guarantee a minimum number of hours. Whether you are a worker or an employer, how does this kind of arrangement work for you?

Money Box Live listener Anne from Dorset got in touch to tell us she feels "practically paralysed" when it comes to making decisions about spending money. She is 65 years old, retired and has an income of £20,000 a year through a combination of pensions and ad hoc work. She also has savings. But she has no idea if this will be enough to live comfortably in her retirement. She sees friends going on cruises and splashing out on luxuries which she'd love to do, but she is frightened of running out of money so ends up doing nothing. Anne says she knows she is fortunate to have a steady income, but she's not really enjoying retirement because she's too scared about her finances.

Does this strike a chord with you? Get in touch with Money Box Live at moneybox@bbc.co.uk

Louise Cooper will be joined by: Michelle Cracknell, Chief Executive, Pensions Advisory Service. Debora Price, Professor of Social Gerontology at the University of Manchester. Jenni Allen from consumer group Which?

It's a little known fact that if you or a relative has an ongoing health problem, the NHS will pay, not just for your treatment in hospital but could also pay for all your care needs, be that in a private care home or even in your own home.

More than 160,000 people get exactly that support. Many more feel they should get it. The scheme is known as Continuing Healthcare Funding and it can be worth thousands of pounds per month. It's available to people living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland they decided the funding system was not fit for purpose and got rid of it three years ago.

So, how do you qualify for financial support for long term health problems? What can you do if the support is withdrawn? And is this an effective way of looking after people whilst being sensible with public money?

Let us know your views on NHS Continuing Healthcare. You can get in touch with Money Box Live at moneybox@bbc.co.uk

Adam Shaw is joined by a panel of experts: Lisa Morgan, Partner and Head of Nursing Care at Hugh James Solicitors in Wales Dan Harbour, Director of Beacon CHC Julie Wood, Chief Executive of NHS Clinical Commissioners

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Marie Keyworth Editor: Andrew Smith.

How can you avoid SIM swap fraud happening to you? TSB customers have contacted Money Box after their mobile phones were targeted by criminals. The fraud involves an identity thief posing as their victim in order to trick mobile phone providers into issuing a new SIM card. That card is then used, along with other information, to access and steal from online bank accounts. Reporter Tony Bonsignore investigates, and we hear from Keiron Dalton, head of fraud at Aspect Software.

There is a call for people who have stopped work before reaching state pension age to check if they can top up their pension through voluntary contributions. In certain cases it could add £244 a year to their state pension. Steve Webb, director of policy at Royal London explains who qualifies and what they need to do.

More lenders appear to be offering mortgages to older borrowers, with one provider allowing people to hold one until the age of 99. Jane King, independent mortgage advisor with Ash-Ridge Private Finance discusses what is behind the focus on older borrowers.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Hugh Levinson.

A government-backed scheme that allows you to buy part of your home and rent the rest. It's often advertised as a more affordable way for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder. But how affordable is it, especially when rent and service charges go up? Paul Lewis and guests explore the pro and cons of this kind of home ownership, which avoids the need for a hefty deposit and allows you to keep buying a bigger share of the home, but which can also limit who you can sell your property to and evict you if you get behind with your rent.

Guests: Amy Nettleton, Aster Group housing association Jaedon Green, Leeds Building Society Giles Peaker, partner and housing specialist, Anthony Gold solicitors

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Andrew Smith.

Graduates who sign up to training programmes offered by some of Britain's biggest outsourcing companies are being hit with bills running into tens of thousands of pounds if they decide to leave within two years. Some of those affected are now planning legal action.

Will the government keep its commitment, written into legislation, to publish the details of how a ban on pensions cold calls will work by the end of the month? If it doesn't the Work and Pensions Secretary will have to explain to Parliament why that hasn't happened. Guest Rachel Vahey, Product Technical Manager, Nucleus Financial

It's been a bad week for the Universal Credit benefit. On Thursday the High Court found the way it was implemented unlawfully discriminated against two severely disabled men when their income dropped after moving over to it. We hear from one of the claimants and Tessa Gregory from Leigh Day Solicitors who represented the men.

On Friday a critical report from the public spending watchdog the National Audit Office said the Universal Credit system was slow and not delivering value for money. Guests Deven Ghelani, Director of Policy in Practice who helped shape the policy and Jane Millar, Professor at the Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath.

Three years ago pension freedoms were introduced, allowing millions of people to transfer out of their Defined Benefit schemes and cash in their savings. The appetite for transferring appears to have grown since then - a total of more than £34bn being moved around in the last calendar year, according to the most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics.

So why would you want to give one up? The high transfer values is one reason - a pension of £10,000 could translate to a cash sum in the hundreds of thousands of pounds. But going down this route is not the right choice for every member of a Defined Benefit pension scheme. There have been concerns raised by regulators that unscrupulous financial advisors have been swooping in on members of these schemes, enticing them out of their pensions when that may not be the right move for them. A case in point was for workers at British Steel.

To talk about the pros and cons of transferring out of a safeguarded pension scheme, Paul Lewis will be joined by a panel of guests:

Ros Altmann, former pensions minister Melinda Riley, Head of Policy and Technical at The Pensions Advisory Service Claire Walsh, Independent Financial Advisor James Baxter, Managing Director at Tideway Wealth

You can e-mail your pension transfer questions now to moneybox@bbc.co.uk or on Wednesday 4 July between 1pm and 3.30pm call 03700 100 444. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Elisabeth Mahy Editor: Andrew Smith.

The future of motoring looks set to be increasingly electric with the Government committed to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040. That commitment was strengthened this month with the unveiling of a new Road to Zero strategy aimed at boosting the country's electric vehicle infrastructure with proposals including fitting chargers in new developments, offices and even lampposts.

But how does buying and running an electric car compare to petrol and diesel and what might you have to consider when making the switch? Electricity can certainly be cheaper than traditional fuels but how do you navigate the range of charging options available? There're also a number of Government grants to consider- what's on offer and how can you apply?

Joining Paul Lewis are Consumer Editor at What Car?, Claire Evans, Head of Go Ultra Low, Poppy Welch and Director of Zap Map, Melanie Shufflebotham.

Email your questions to moneybox@bbc.co.uk or you can call 03700 100 444 between 1pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday 25th July 2018. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Tom Hill Editor: Charlotte McDonald.

A study by the Resolution Foundation thinktank has found that the vast majority of people experience significant monthly wage volatility at least twice a year. Almost half see significant changes half of the year. The study used anonymised data from 7 million Lloyds bank accounts. It's the first time that actual data has been used to look at monthly earnings. Official figures which show adequate income over the year may therefore hide serious problems in a number of specific months. We speak to the study's author Daniel Tomlinson.

An end to letting fees charged to tenants is now in sight. The Tenants' Fees Bill has just had it's third and final reading in the House of Commons and is set to become law soon. It means that 'Administrative fees', 'credit check fees', 'tenancy renewal fees' and others will all be consigned to the dustbin saving tenants an estimated £240m. In Wales a similar law is expected to be in place next year and in Scotland letting fees have been banned since 2012.

With RBS announcing more bank closures this week, we investigate one solution adopted by a small community when 3 out of 4 banks closed their doors. Almost a year ago Holywell in North Wales encouraged its shopkeepers to adopt a mobile card payment system instead of using cash to help bolster their economy. We find out how they have got on.

And as hundreds of thousands of young people head off to university in the next few weeks we look at the student bank accounts on offer. Should you take the free rail card, the gift voucher or the free overdraft?

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Charlotte McDonald.

If you haven't switched energy suppliers in recent years, what does the energy price cap mean for you? The regulator, Ofgem, has announced plans to prevent gas and electricity companies charging a typical household more than £1,136 a year, saving households £75 a year, on average. But will it mean companies stop offering some of their cheapest deals currently on the market? And will consumers be lulled into thinking they don't need to shop around and look for better deals? But how to switch and save? Its not always straightforward. Louise Cooper and guests take your energy questions.

Guests: Audrey Gallagher, Director of Policy, Energy UK Gillian Cooper, Head of Retail Energy Markets, Citizens Advice Joe Malinowski, founder, price comparison website theenergyshop.com

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Sally Abrahams.

How can you legally reduce the inheritance tax your loved ones have to pay when you die? If you have accumulated substantial wealth during your life, inheritance tax can cost family and friends hundreds of thousands of pounds after your death. But there are legal ways to avoid being hit with a hefty IHT bill. Whether by donating to charity or giving away cash from surplus income, you can reduce the amount of inheritance tax due on your property, savings and other assets.

But how does inheritance tax work and who is liable to pay it? What must your estate be worth before the 40% charge kicks in? And if you're married or in a civil partnership, what are the rules?

£5.2 billion of IHT was paid last year, a record high. And yet, it’s still only a relatively small number of people whose estates are liable to so-called death duties. But many feel they’ve spent a lifetime earning the money and want to pass on as much as they can to their nearest and dearest. So how do you ensure you don’t pay unnecessary amounts of Inheritance Tax? Adam Shaw and guests will be taking your questions and comments.

To join in the conversation, email moneybox@bbc.co.uk, Tweet @moneybox or call the programme on 03 700 100 444 - lines are open from 1pm on Wednesday 3 October.

Guests: Claire Walsh, Chartered Financial Planner and Personal Finance Director, Schroders Nicola Plant, Partner, Thomson Snell & Passmore Solicitors

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Sally Abrahams

If you're thinking of buying a new greener motor car you might want to hurry up. In less than three weeks' time government subsidies on more environmentally friendly vehicles, worth thousands of pounds, are going to be cut or disappear altogether.

Pay.UK have just released plans for banks to introduce confirmation payee in 2019 to help cut bank fraud. What's taken so long?

New figures out this week show that hard work in fact pays rather less well than it did four years ago - at least for people whose low wages are topped up by benefits. This week's inflation figure for September confirmed just how much worse off many people on benefits are.

High house prices make it incredibly hard, particularly for young people, to get on the property ladder. We report on a small but growing trend for people to buy their first home -- with someone other than a relative or a partner.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Richard Vadon

A big change to the UK's tax system starts next April, but are firms ready to comply?

In barely five months' time, every business which is above the threshold for VAT must ditch paper-based record-keeping and get new approved software instead. The new rules are part of Making Tax Digital - and make it compulsory for them to keep electronic records of VAT and file returns to the Revenue directly from accounting software. It will apply to small businesses and sole traders if they are VAT-registered and have a turnover - not a profit, a turnover - of £85,000 a year or more.

But accountants are worried that many businesses don't know anything about the changes. And there's concern about how much the new software will cost.

If you're affected by the new rules or think you might be, get in touch. Call 03700 100 444. Lines are open from 1pm on Wednesday 24 October. Or email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox

Guests: Anita Monteith, Tax Manager, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Elaine Clark, Managing Director, Cheap Accounting Andy Chamberlain, Deputy Director of Policy, IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed)

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Sally Abrahams

Tens of thousands of free educational books about personal finance are being sent to every secondary school in England. For free. Funded by money saving expert Martin Lewis, written by Young Money and supported by the Government, it 's the UK's first ever financial education textbook.

The Government’s announced its second attempt to try to increase probate fees, this time from just a few hundred to thousands of pounds for some. We’ll find out what’s behind the move, if it’s likely to get through Parliament and explain why critics say the move is not legal.

This week saw state pension age equalise. Many women are not happy. We speak to someone who reached state pension age before 65 but is receiving much less than a man the same age because she qualified when the previous, lower state pension was in force. These women have not been entitled to free bus passes, tv licences and the winter fuel allowance 2 to 4 years sooner than men of the same age as mentioned in the piece. Winter Fuel Allowance is linked to women’s state pension age for both women and men (now the common state pension age) which is also true of almost all free bus travel in England. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland men and women get free bus travel from 60. Currently everyone is currently entitled to a free TV licence from 75.

‘Why aren’t my auto-enrolment pension pots consolidated?’ We hear from a listener who wants to know why his pensions aren’t merged automatically.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Reporter: Dan Lewis Editor: Richard Lewis

What’s your experience of the biggest change ever made to the benefits system? Universal Credit - which is being gradually introduced across the UK - is supposed to make things simpler, by merging six benefits into one single payment. But it's been plagued by controversy, especially over delays in paying claimants, causing severe hardship in some cases.

In Budget 2018, the Chancellor introduced new measures designed to improve the system. These include increasing the amount of money people can earn before their benefits are reduced and allowing two weeks extra benefits for those moving from the old system to the new. But will it be enough to solve the problems? How might this extra help benefit you?

If you have been affected by Universal Credit, do share your story by calling 03700 100 444. Lines open from 1pm on Wednesday 14 November. You can email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox

Guests: Sarah Hayle, Welfare rights adviser, Community Law Service, Northampton and County Angela Marke, Head of Advice Quality, Advising Communities David Samson, welfare benefits specialist, Turn2Us

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Sally Abrahams

This week the government's publication of its draft Brexit Withdrawal Agreement was followed by the cabinet resignations of Dominic Raab and Esther McVey. The financial markets responded with a sharp drop in the pound before it stabilised and a fall in the share price of UK focused companies. Guest: Tom Stevenson Investment Director at Fidelity Worldwide Investments.

Some of the biggest clothing retailers are being warned they could be encouraging young shoppers to get into problem debt. Major sports and fashion names are using a new type of “try before you buy” service from the Swedish bank Klarna for online orders. Guest Moira O'Neill, head of personal finance at Interactive Investor.

A childminder reveals how problems with the government's tax-free childcare system are impacting on her business. Earlier this month around 22,000 standing order payments from parents to childcare providers were delayed. HMRC have apologised and say it was an isolated issue which has been fixed. Guest: Aoife Hamilton, Policy and Information Manager at Employers for Childcare.

Until now Starling Bank services could only be accessed via a smartphone app. That changed this week after it joined a partnership which allows its customers to deposit and withdraw cash at Post Office branches. Is this a step backwards for digital banking? Guest: Anne Boden CEO and founder, Starling Bank.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

The way we work is changing. By 2025, only 13% of people believe they will be working in traditional 9-5 employment.

For the last 15+ years the number of self-employed workers has been increasing - tripling for the over 65's and doubling for the 16-24's whether it be as a sole trader or on zero hours or as part of the 'gig' economy. And that doesn't account for the rise of people on short term contracts with little or no job security.

So in this brave new world of employment, how has the financial services industry responded? What can you do about your pension, insurance or getting a mortgage if you no longer have a career in one company but move from job to job?

Your experiences and stories please: 03700 100 444. Lines open from 1pm on Wednesday 21`November. You can email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Alex Lewis

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth investigates complaints from customers of a small energy supplier, Outfox the Market, who suddenly found themselves facing huge increases to their direct debit payments. Outfox the Market emailed Anna and her husband Rob to say their direct debit amounts would be split, meaning they would pay much more during winter and less in summer. The couple are already around £200 in credit on their account so they decided to switch supplier. Outfox the Market say the direct debit change would average out over the year.

Following its administration deal with its lenders the pension fund of news publisher Johnston Press is being placed under Pension Protection Fund (PPF) rules. What happens if your pension passes to the PPF? Guest: Hilary Salt, Founder First Actuarial.

We hear from the man who ended up being reported to the police for fraud by his insurer after making a stolen jewellery claim following a burglary. Neil McFarlane, Group CEO with the specialist jewellery insurance broker T.H. March outlines what you should consider when insuring gems, rings and watches at home.

Reporter: Dan Whitworth Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

Infertility affects one in seven couples. Many people seek medical treatment to help them conceive. Some fertility treatment is available on the NHS, but the majority of couples go privately and pay for it themselves. It can be incredibly expensive, costing tens of thousands of pounds.

Money Box Live is looking at the costs involved in fertility treatments. If this has affected you or your loved ones, or you have a question you'd like answered, presenter Louise Cooper and an expert panel want to hear from you.

So why not call Money Box Live now 03 700 100 444, geographic charges from landlines and mobiles apply.

Or email moneybox@bbc.co.uk

or tweet @moneybox

Guests

Peter Thompson, Chief Executive of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the UK's independent regulator of fertility treatment.

Aileen Feeney from the the charity, Fertility Network UK

Dr Raj Mathur, Senior fertility Consultant, working in both the NHS and a private clinic.

The competition regulator has stepped up its investigation into the £2 billion a year funerals market, after finding prices have risen above inflation for over a decade.

In March of this year Money Box listener Nicola's financial adviser made his first attempt to move her investment fund, valued at £40,000, from Aegon to another provider. Nine months later, despite making a formal complaint and taking their case to the Financial Services Ombudsman, the money has yet to arrive. To date Aegon has offered Nicola £100 which it increased this week to £500, as an apology "for the unacceptable delays she has faced in the transfer of her funds." Guest: Nicola's independent financial adviser, Iain Forrest, Director of Forrest Financial Management and we also hear from the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Dan Whitworth reports on a HMRC VAT exemption rule clarification which recently came into force and has resulted in some people seeing a sudden increase in their property management company service charge. The clarification is intended to make it clear that third parties such as property management companies are subject to VAT. Some of these companies have started to pass the cost on. Guest: Alan Pearce, VAT Partner, Blick Rothenberg.

A pensions dashboard which will allow people to see their scheme details, old and new, big and small, in one place, online, for the first time is due to go live next year. However the first version won't contain state pension details and once it’s up and running pension providers will be able to offer their own commercial dashboards. Guest Sir Steve Webb, Director, Royal London and former pensions minister.

Presenter: Adam Shaw Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

You may not have heard of some of them; transaction charges, custody charges, collateral management costs, but these hidden pensions costs can have a real effect on your savings over the years.

It's been estimated that charges - including a notional 1% which are hidden - could destroy a quarter of the value of a pension over 30 years.

Why, when they matter so much, is it so hard to get the full picture and what can you do about it?

Share your experience. Call us on 03700 100 444, email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox. Lines open from 1pm on Wednesday 12 December. You can also email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox

Panel guests: Chris Sier, academic and transparency campaigner Michelle Cracknell, The Pensions Advisory Service Jeff Houston, Secretary of the Advisory Board to the Local Govt Pension scheme

Presenter: Lesley Curwen Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: John Murphy

More than 45% of UK households keep a pet. It's estimated that we spend almost £4.5 billion a year on them. Yet research suggests we underestimate what it costs to keep them.

Steven Long, the founder of the collapsed inheritance planning firm, Universal Wealth Preservation, has been jailed for eight months for failing to disclose the whereabouts of his clients' money. It's now emerged that at least twenty-five million pounds has gone missing. Money Box hears from Shivani Varma, the solicitor acting for around 30 claimants who have lost millions of pounds and talks to one client who attended the High Court hearing about what it was like when the prison sentence was handed down.

Overdraft charges: The Financial Conduct Authority announced major changes this week to how banks charge us for accidentally slipping into the red. It wants to stop firms charging higher prices when customers use an unarranged overdraft and bring an end to fixed daily and monthly fees. Instead the banks will have to charge customers one simple rate of interest on the money owed. But, given that overdraft charges bring in around £4.2 billion a year for the banks, how will they recoup those lost monies? Professor Peter Hahn of the London Institute of Banking and Finance gives his assessment of the planned changes.

Are you going bust? To be blunt, no! That was the first of eight questions in a Q&A sent out this week by the energy supplier, Outfox the Market, to its 100,000 customers. So many of them have been contacting the firm that the energy regulator Ofgem tweeted this week that it was in "active discussions with the supplier regarding their customer service issues". Money Box hears from one frustrated Outfox customer about the problems he's been having trying to contact the firm to get back £500 credit he's due and we hear from energy analyst, Ellen Fraser of Baringa on this latest development.

Down down down. That was share prices in London and indeed in much of the world in the last full trading week of the year. And it matters to most of us as our pensions and ISAs will be affected. Share prices are normally measured by the FTSE100 index - the average of the shares in the hundred biggest companies on the London Stock Exchange. It ended the week 12% down on a year ago. and nearly a third less than its value at the start of this century. So is investment bust? Paul Lewis talks to Russ Mould, Investment Director at stockbrokers A J Bell.

Image: Steven Long, Founder, Universal Wealth Preservation, Credit: Paul Keogh

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Richard Vadon

More than 2000 steel workers - many of them in the Welsh steel town of Port Talbot - were persuaded to transfer out of their final salary pension scheme. Many now deeply regret their decision, and believe they were mis-advised by"sharks" who descended on the town to take advantage of a period of confusion. Tony Bonsignore hears how the men's lives have been affected, what lessons have been learnt, and whether enough has been done to stop something similar happening again.

Presenter: Tony Bonsignore Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Richard Vadon

In August, Jessica Hurst wrote to the media asking them to investigate how her dad’s debts of just under £12,000 became a bill of just under £73,000. Nigel Hurst killed himself eighteen months ago after learning that bailiffs were to repossess his family home. It was the bailiff who found him. Student, Jessica, was left with a pile of debt recovery letters and bank statements which she hoped would hold the clue to his financial troubles.

After an old school friend offered legal advice, Jessica has persuaded the creditors to reduce their demands back to a manageable level. How did they do that? And what did they learn in going through the process? Helen Grady - who reported on the case for File on 4 - asks Jessica about the response to the programme.

If you've been affected by the issues raised in this programme and would like details of organisations which offer advice and support, you can visit BBC Action Line or you can call for free, at any time, to hear recorded information 0800 066 066

You can also get help from …

https://www.samaritans.org/ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/suicide/

Presenter: Helen Grady Producer: David Lewis Editor: Andrew Smith

Have you had an accident in the last 5 years - even if it wasn't your fault? Ticking that box on a car insurance application can be very costly - even if you weren't to blame. Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth has been investigating why.

Around 14,000 investors who put their money into a mini-bond sold by London Capital & Finance are in limbo this week after the Financial Conduct Authority froze the firms assets and banned it from advertising or selling the product. What does this mean for people with money invested?

The Chinese economy is flagging after decades of expansion and the latest Bank of England figures show a fall in UK consumer lending. Will 2019 see our personal finances coming under an increasing squeeze?

And as the currently un-named Government backed 'Single Financial Guidance Body' comes into being - taking on the roles of The Pensions Advisory Service, Pension Wise and Money Advice Service - we mull over suggestions for what it could be called...

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Richard Vadon

Is it time to turn to the small claims court?

It’s only 9 days into the New Year and your relaxed demeanour may have already waned. Especially if faced with a mountain of Christmas presents that never worked and a feeling of resentment about the botched boiler repair.

Help is at hand in the form of the small claims court – a low cost way for you to claim what you feel you are owed by an individual or small business, providing it's not more than £10,000.

In the past year a little over 2 million claims were raised in England and Wales, 39,000 of them via the Government's newly launched online service. They boast that the fastest claim was lodged and paid in under two hours.

Today our panel discusses the effectiveness of the system for getting you your money back:. Helen Dewdney aka The Complaining Cow and consumer champion Benjamyn Damazar, regular user of the small claims court process Stephen Gerlis, retired district court judge.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: John Murphy

Two banks have taken the unusual step of refunding a fraud victim all her money. With new rules for banks on this issue coming into force soon, is this a sign of things to come and are more victims likely to benefit? We hear from bank fraud consultant, Richard Emery, of 4 Keys international.

Economy Energy has become the ninth energy supply company to go bust in the last year. 235,000 customers are now being told to sit tight while Ofgem appoints a new supplier, but has the regulator opened up the market too much? We speak to one of its executive directors, Mary Starks.

And with Universal Credit complicating who does and doesn’t get free prescriptions in England, hundreds of thousands of people are being wrongly fined for not paying the £8.80 fee. We find out what it means for claimants and pharmacists and speak to Sandra Gidley, from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Richard Vadon

A New Year, a new you!

Many of us have committed to eat better and get fitter. But just as popular is to save more.

We want to know how you have resolved to improve YOUR personal finances. Email us: moneybox@bbc.co.uk or call us from 1300 on 16th January on 03 700 100 444, geographic charges from landlines and mobiles apply. Let us know how you're doing.

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: John Murphy

New rules are set to change access to pension credit. At the moment the benefit can be claimed to top up income when the older partner in a couple reaches the qualifying state pension age. From May 15th it will switch to when the younger person in the relationship qualifies. Pensioners with younger partners who are already on pension credit or pension-age Housing Benefit will not be affected by the change while their entitlement remains. The announcement was made via a written statement by pensions minister Guy Opperman which was published on Monday. Guest: Gareth Morgan CEO of Ferret Information Systems.

Money Box listeners who took out student loans in the 1990s have received letters offering to settle the debt if they agree to pay a percentage of their outstanding amount. Some of these former students are approaching the point where their loans will be written off anyway. Guest: Martin Lewis, Founder and Chair MoneySavingExpert.com

Sorting out a £51 tax refund ended up costing one man £137 after he searched online and dialled a number listed on an official looking website which he thought belonged to HMRC. It wasn’t and the line he called which connected him to HMRC was a premium rate one. Guest: David Hickson of the Fair Telecoms campaign.

Reporter: Dan Whitworth Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

Private parking firms are issuing penalties to drivers at the rate of one every five seconds. That's a 20% increase compared to last year.

Council income from parking penalties has never been higher.

So why this increase?

Every motorist has a parking ticket story. So what's yours?

Email us moneybox@bbc.co.uk or call us from 1300 on 23rd January: 03 700 100 444, geographic charges from landlines and mobiles apply.

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Alex Lewis and Linda Walker Editor: John Murphy

Administrators have been appointed to the Dream Lodge Group leaving people, some of whom invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in the luxury holiday park lodge business, at risk of losing most if not all of their money. In return for their cash they were promised an 8% return on their investment plus a guaranteed buy back of their capital. In a statement to Money Box administrators Deloitte said "The best outcome for everyone would still be a sale of the business and we will formally report our progress on that and any other matters in our creditors report in mid-March. We appreciate this will be a difficult time for many people affected by the administration of the business.” What are the signs that an investment opportunity is too good to be true? Guest: Farhaz Khan, Secretary of the Financial Services Lawyers Association.

The European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC, gives people from the UK the right to access state provided emergency care while temporarily staying in another European Economic Area country or Switzerland for free or for a reduced cost. Tamara Hervey, Professor of EU Law at the University of Sheffield explains what happens to the EHIC post-Brexit.

The cash machine network Link will pay a 'super premium' to ATM operators in certain remote areas from April. It hopes the subsidy of up to £2.75 per withdrawal will keep machines free to use. Guest John Howells, CEO of Link.

If you’ve signed up with a credit rating agency to get alerts whenever your file is accessed, what can you do if you discover a company you've never heard of has searched your details? Guest Lisa Hardstaff, Head of Customer Experience at Equifax.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

According to the Association of British Insurers, average motor insurance premiums dropped by 1% last year. But the experiences of many Money Box listeners tell a different story.

Louise Cooper and panel discuss why the cost of car insurance is so high.

How do insurers work your premium out? Is it ever a good idea to stick with your existing provider? And how common is it for young people to pay more for their insurance than the cost of their vehicle?

From 1pm Wednesday 30th January you can call us on 03 700 100 444 or email us at any time: moneybbc@bbc.co.uk.

Joining Louise on the panel: David Williams - Technical Director at AXA Insurance Amanda Stretton - Motoring Editor, Confused.com Neil Hart - Client Services Director at Consumer Intelligence

Producer: Alex Lewis + Linda Walker Editor: John Murphy

A firm which raised more than £200m from 14,000 investors has gone into administration. London Capital & Finance Plc (LCF) issued mini-bonds which promoted returns of 8 percent and higher. The Financial Conduct Authority was already investigating, last December it froze the assets of the firm. It also directed LCF to pull its "promotional material on the basis that the way in which it was marketing bonds was misleading, not fair and unclear." The FCA also expressed concerns that "LCF bonds were being marketed as ISA eligible when they were not." Guest: Finbarr O'Connell, one of the administrators of London Capital & Finance Plc.

Tougher fraud prevention measures have seen some websites asking online shoppers to verify their identities by entering a six digit number, sent to them by text, before the transaction can continue. What if you live somewhere without a mobile signal? Guest: James Daley, Managing Director and Founder, Fairer Finance.

We hear from the Money Box listener who's paying hundreds of pounds a year in fee charges for a SIPP investment that’s been valued at £1. Guest: Adam Samuel, financial services compliance specialist.

Child Trust Funds were set up for babies born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 to encourage regular, long-term saving habits. Families received starter vouchers of £250 or £500 to open fund accounts. If, after the first year, they hadn’t, HMRC did it and sent families details of their provider. In many of those cases families failed to contact providers and forgot about the accounts. The first wave of children are turning 16 when they can take control of managing accounts ahead of being able to make withdrawals at 18. How can a lost account be found? Guest: Carol Knight, Chief Operating Officer TISA.

How would you like to receive a set income from the state without conditions?

It's an idea which is gaining world wide attention with pilot schemes in Finland, Canada and Spain to name a few. In Scotland ministers have awarded funding to four local authorities to undertake feasibility studies with a view to holding a pilot.

Adam Shaw and a guest panel discuss the theory behind the idea and examine how if it could ever work in practice.

How have the trials worked in different countries? Is a universal basic income a useful way of thinking about wealth redistribution or is it just an unaffordable utopian dream?

From 1pm Wednesday 6th February you can call us on 03 700 100 444 or email us at any time: moneybbc@bbc.co.uk.

Joining Adam on the panel: Jamie Cooke, Head of Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce Scotland Dr Louise Haagh, author of The Case for Universal Basic Income and a Reader in Politics at the University of York Dr Luke Martinelli, the main researcher on the Institute for Policy Research’s basic income research project at Bath University

Producer: Linda Walker Presenter: Adam Shaw Editor: Jasper Corbett

From April millions of households on default energy tariffs and who have not switched suppliers will see a rise in their bills after regulator Ofgem raised caps for gas and electricity. The first cap was introduced in January as a measure to ensure customers paid fairer prices. Guest Jo Butlin, Chief Executive of EnergyBridge Consulting and an expert in how the energy industry works in the UK.

This week the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee held its final evidence session on leasehold reform. Founder and Chief Executive of the HomeOwners Alliance Paula Higgins debates the issues with David O'Leary, Policy Director with the Home Builders Federation.

What happens to state and private pensions post-Brexit? James Walsh, from the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, where he focuses on the EU, guides us through what's certain and what's uncertain.

There are now more mortgage products than ever before for older borrowers, what’s attracting lenders to them? Guest: Darren Cook, Mortgage Analytics Manager at moneyfacts.co.uk

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

So where are we with the promised Open Banking revolution?

A little over a year ago we were teetering on the edge of radical reform after new rules meant that customers could give permission for their bank to share details of their current account with other banks and regulated companies.

The plan was that by studying your spending and income details firms will be able to offer you financial products, give you a credit rating, or suggest ways to save money.

What are you experiences? From 1pm on Wednesday 13th February you can call 03 700 100 444 or email anytime: moneybox@bbc.co.uk.

Joining Paul Lewis on the panel this week: Imran Gulamhuseinwala, Implementation Trustee for Open Banking Ltd Pamela Meadows, payments expert from the Financial Services Consumer Panel. Freddy Kelly, founder Credit Kudos.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Jasper Corbett

Confirmation of payee is a fraud prevention system which would allow banks and customers to check names alongside account and sort code details to ensure that transferred money goes to the right person. The Payment Systems Regulator wanted it to start in July. This week UK Finance, which represents banks, said it needed a delay until "some time next year." Guest Gareth Shaw, Head of Money, Which?

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth takes a forensic look at the accounts of companies linked to London Capital and Finance plc. The company is in administration, leaving 11,000 investors worried about what's happened to their cash. Guest Roger Isaacs, Forensic Partner at Milsted Langdon

Megan Jarvie, Head of Coram Family and Childcare discusses the latest figures for tax-free childcare which show that 91,000 families used it for 109,000 children.

Figures released this week revealed that 10 million people are now saving into a workplace pension. Some of those workers are non-tax payers and have been placed by employers in net pay arrangement schemes where pension contributions are collected before income tax. It means they don't get the tax relief on their pension contributions that they would get if they were in another scheme known as a relief at source, where contributions are collected after income tax. Guest: Meredith McCammond, Technical Officer for the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

If you're a small business, how are you affected by clients who pay late or don't pay at all? The Federation of Small Businesses estimates that around 50,000 firms go bust each year because of cash flow problems mainly caused by late payments. This is also a problem that also affects many of the UK's 5 million self-employed who find themselves out of pocket because clients can't or won't pay. So what can you do to recover the money you're owed? And how can we change the culture of late payment?

Join Louise Cooper and a panel of guests with their own experience of poor payment practices and their solutions. Email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 27 February 2019. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.

Guests: Ailsa Fairchild, debt recovery manager, Girlings Solicitors Jess Pinhorn, specialist adviser, Business Debtline Paul Uppal, Small Business Commissioner Craig Beaumont, Federation of Small Businesses David Clarkson, credit controller, Wilmington plc

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Sally Abrahams

On April 6th the loan charge comes into force. It's an anti-tax avoidance measure which will enable HMRC to recover tax from disguised remuneration schemes which involved paying earnings back via a loan. Contractors, some of whom now face bills of hundreds of thousands of pounds, have told Money Box they were advised by their accountants to use these schemes, while others said they were told they would lose contracts without one. HMRC options for people in this situation are to repay the loans, settle the tax due or pay the loan charge in April which will apply to all loans made since 6 April 1999 if they are still outstanding. If a settlement has been agreed or is in progress with HMRC the charge will not apply. Guests: Andy Chamberlain, Deputy Director of Policy and External Affairs IPSE and Rebecca Benneyworth, Tax Lecturer and writer.

Money Box listeners have been in touch to ask "what happens to debts when you die?" Guest: Andy Shaw, debt advice co-ordinator with StepChange debt charity.

Margaret Snowdon, Chair of the Pension Scams Industry Group, discusses the findings of its pilot survey of three pension providers, who between them handled 27,000 pension transfers worth £1.33bn in a year. One of the aims of the survey was to identify areas where scams concerns around pension transfers might arise. It found the top concern to be the involvement of unregulated introducer firms who generate business leads for authorised advisers.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Mel Stride speaks to Paul Lewis about the forthcoming loan charge. The measure, which comes into force in April, aims to stop disguised remuneration schemes which can be used for tax avoidance purposes.

People who have been tricked into authorising payments to bank accounts run by fraudsters stand a much better chance of being reimbursed in future. A new code has been published by the Payment Systems Regulator and agreed by the industry. It includes measures to do more to protect bank and buidling society customers from criminals including reimbursing them in all but exceptional circumstances. The code, which is voluntary, comes into effect on May 28th. Guest: Hannah Nixon, Managing Director, Payment Systems Regulator.

Money Box listener David Hardie runs a small printing business. He recently received a letter from HMRC informing him that from next month he must submit his VAT return digitally. It's part of the wider government Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative to shift people away from paper-based record keeping. The software used has to be MTD compatible so David is now paying for a new accounts program. Tim Woodgates, a tax adviser and chartered accountant with Moore Stephens, suggests ways in which small businesses can be MTD compliant while keeping costs down.

We hear a cautionary tale of what can happen when the terms and conditions of a guarantor loan are not scrutinised by the friend or relative being asked to pay off the debt if the original borrower defaults. Followed by Sara Williams, founder of the Debt Camel blog and Nick Beal Chief Regulatory and Public Affairs Officer at Amigo Loans in a wider discussion on guarantor loans.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

More than 11,000 young people aged 16-18 left local authority care last year. Many feel completely unprepared for the financial decisions they will have to make when they start living independently. What help is available to them and how much financial education are they given to help them navigate the complex world of rent, food bills, benefits and savings? Join Adam Shaw and a panel of guests. Email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 6 March. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply..

Guests: Leah Edwards, Head of services for care leavers and children in care, Wigan Council Sam Royston, The Children's Society Joe Shaw, young care leaver of the year 2018 Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Sally Abrahams

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth investigates the companies which marketed London Capital & Finance plc ('LCF') mini-bonds to investors, including on comparison websites. LCF entered administration in January, by then 11,000 bondholders had invested £236m of savings. The joint administrator to LCF, Finbarr O'Connell, also provides an update on efforts to determine how the investments of those 11,000 bondholders unravelled and whether they have any hope of getting any of their money back.

The cost of obtaining a death certificate in England and Wales recently increased from £4 to £11. People usually find, to their surprise, that they need to purchase multiple copies of certificates when alerting financial institutions or utility companies to a bereavement. Guest: Ian Bond Director and Head of Trusts and Estates at Talbots Law and chair of the Law Society's wills and equity committee.

Financial Independence, Retire Early or FIRE is a movement driven by the idea of extreme saving in order to fund an early retirement. How realistic is it? Guests: Kristian Danielson who is 27 and planning to retire before he's 40 and Nick Earl, Financial Planner at London Money where he specialises in investments and retirement planning.

Reporter: Dan Whitworth Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, gives an update on the health of the UK economy. What will it mean for your household finances? A panel of experts will analyse what he says and we want to hear your assessment too. Are you cheered or concerned by the state of the nation's finances? And how will it affect the way you spend or save your hard-earned cash? Also, looking ahead to the new tax year, we'll discuss the tax cuts which begin in April and the outlook for our personal finances over the next twelve months.

Guests: Tina Riches, Chartered Institute of Taxation Michelle Cracknell, independent pensions consultant Jane King, independent mortgage adviser from Ash-Ridge Private Finance Shirley McIntosh, Head of tax for Scotland at RSM accountants and tax advisers

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Sally Abrahams

In his first budget speech for the new Labour government chancellor Gordon Brown announced the 1999 introduction of individual savings accounts. The idea was to encourage the habit of putting money away, especially those who had never saved before. Twenty years later, there are more types available. We look at non-cash ISAs with Mark Polson, Founder of The Lang Cat financial services consultancy.

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth looks into warnings sent to the Financial Conduct Authority years before it took action against London Capital & Finance plc. LCF entered administration in January. By that time over 11,000 people had put £236m into high risk mini-bonds. At best they might only get around 20% of their original investment back.

Laura received a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions asking for £625 of benefits it had placed into the bank account of her deceased grandmother. Laura's only involvement was to register the death. There was no will and no executor. The few assets her grandmother had went towards meeting funeral costs. The DWP confirmed to Money Box that there's no legal obligation to return a benefit direct payment of this type and if the recovery letter it sends is ignored, it will not pursue the amount. It also confirmed there are no plans to reimburse Laura the £625 she struggled to raise to pay it. Guest: Adam Sym, Probate Executive, Stephensons Solicitors.

The exit fees charged by investors who want to move from their current online platform, and the difficulty many face in doing so, is the subject of the latest market study from the FCA. What might change for investors and do the proposals go far enough?

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

The number of first-time buyers is up, says Chancellor Philip Hammond. Will it continue? If you've managed to buy your first property, how did you do it and what help did you get?

A major change to the UK's tax system starts on April 1st. Is business ready for the VAT reporting shake-up? Making Tax Digital means businesses with an annual turn-over of more than £85,000 a year must file and submit their quarterly accounts using digital software which is compliant with the new system set up by HMRC. The Government says the initiative will increase the tax take. But small businesses have expressed concerns over the costs of upgrading software and getting to grips with the new system. Joining Louise Cooper are Theresa Middleton, Director of Making Tax Digital at HMRC and Anita Montheith, Technical Manager at The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Over 13 million smart meters have been installed in the UK. By the end of December next year gas and electricity suppliers will be expected to have taken "all reasonable steps" to roll them out to domestic and small business customers. One of those steps involves offering cheaper tariffs to customers - but only if they agree to have a smart meter installed. There's no legal requirement to have one so is it an unreasonable step too far? Guests: Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive at Energy UK and Joe Malinowski, founder of energyscanner.com

To what extent does the way we bank affect the way we spend, or don’t spend, our money? Guest: Abi Adams, Behavioural Economist at the University of Oxford.

The Serious Fraud Office has opened an investigation into individuals linked to London Capital & Finance. The failed high-risk mini-bond provider entered administration in January, but not before over 11,000 people had trusted it with £236m of their cash to invest in what they were told were fixed-rate ISAs. They now stand to get 20% of their money back at best.

Annuities are a retirement income product bought with some or all of your pension pot. The insurance and pension provider Prudential is currently transferring around 400,000 policy holders to Rothesay Life following the sale of its portfolio to the annuities specialist. Guest: Billy Burrows, Retirement Director at specialist pensions adviser Better Retirement who explains the underlying security behind annuities and how they are protected if the provider changes.

Reporter: Dan Whitworth Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

Have you had to cope with sorting out a loved one's financial affairs after they die? The process is called probate or 'confirmation' in Scotland. It's a complex process, involving getting documents from financial institutions, valuing assets and perhaps even selling a house. It all comes at a time when relatives or friends may be feeling at their most vulnerable. Fees to apply for the probate process in England and Wales are due to rise sharply in many cases, subject to Commons approval, in the spring.

Join Adam Shaw and expert panel to share your experiences of dealing with a loved one's financial affairs.

Guests

Helen Stewart, head of probate and partner at Thomson, Snell and Passmore Alan Barr, partner at Brodies and co-author of Drafting Wills in Scotland. Sarah Pennells, founder of financial website, Savvywoman.co.uk

Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth analyses the main findings from the administrators' report into London Capital & Finance. The high-risk mini-bond provider collapsed in January but not before it had taken £236m from 11,650 people. Many of them were first-time investors who thought their money was going into fixed rate ISAs. The cash they put in came from pensions, inheritances and life savings.

From April the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) limit for regulated investments rises to £85,000 from the current £50,000. Guest Mark Neale, Chief Executive of the FSCS.

As this year’s Council Tax bills arrive, are you eligible to reduce yours with a discount, exemption or help from a Council Tax Reduction scheme? Guest: Caroline Siarkiewicz,, Director and debt advice expert at the Single Financial Guidance Body.

NHS consultant James Bailey explains how the annual allowance taper affects his finances and working life. The taper was introduced in 2016 and affects people with income over £150,000 including pension savings. For every £2 of income over £150,000, the annual allowance reduces by £1, to a minimum of £10,000 a year. If an individual’s income is less that £110,000 a year, excluding all pension savings, then the annual allowance taper doesn't apply. Guests: Josephine Cumbo Pensions Correspondent for the Financial Times and John Ralfe, an Independent Pensions Consultant.

Reporter: Dan Whitworth Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier

Are you saving into a pension at work? Has this happened automatically via auto enrolment? In just six years, this Government policy has encouraged ten million more people save into a pension. But not everyone is eligible to take part. So they get no employer contribution towards their retirement pot. People paid less than ten thousand pounds a year and the self-employed are currently excluded from the scheme. Paul Lewis and expert panel discuss the future of pension saving at work. How can more people be encouraged to save for their old age?

Guests: Laura Gardiner, Resolution Foundation Meredith McCammond, Low Income Tax Reform Group Will Sandbrook, Nest Insight Emma Heathcote-James, Federation of Small Businesses

Email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or call after one o'clock call 03 700 100 444.

The inconsistent manner in which police forces in England and Wales investigate reports of fraud is leaving victims 'confused and disillusioned.' That's one of the findings in a report by the watchdog Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. Money Box listener Emma lost her £25,000 new home deposit after criminals hacked emails between her and her solicitor in order to divert and steal the money. She feels let down by the police and her bank. Guest HM Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr.

What needs to happen for you to achieve the life you desire? How much money is enough money? Just a few of the questions likely to be asked by a lifestyle financial planner as they cashflow model your future. Julie Lord, Chief Executive of Magenta Financial Planning, explains what it involves. A report from Gingerbread, the charity for single-parent families, highlights concerns over the operation of one of the Child Maintenance Support payment methods called Direct Pay where parents manage payments between themselves. Guest: Sumi Rabindrakumar who wrote the report for Gingerbread.

This week the Financial Conduct Authority issued a warning for people considering putting their cash into Innovative Finance ISAs (IFISAs). It says mini-bonds or peer-2-peer investments "may not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme so customers may lose the money invested or find it hard to get back." It follows the collapse of London Capital & Finance. More than 11,000 people invested £236m with the failed mini-bond provider.

Reporter: Dan Whitworth Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

Almost 8 million people live alone in the UK and numbers are rising. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show it's more expensive to be single, so what are the financial penalties if you're not a couple? Inevitably, household expenses are more costly when you're not sharing rent or mortgage payments, energy or water bills. But outside the home, there are many ways that singletons pay a premium - whether it's more expensive holidays, hotel rooms, train fares, car insurance or even theatre tickets.

On Money Box Live, we want to hear how you can cut the costs of being single. Apart from the 25% council tax discount, where else are singletons given a price reduction? And, with the number of one-person households expected to reach more than 10 million by 2039, should the government consider new policies to ease the financial burden?

Share your views and experiences with Louise Cooper and guests. Email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 17 April. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.

Guests: Professor Donald Hirsch, Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University Kara Gammell, personal finance journalist

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Sally Abrahams

The Financial Conduct Authority has warned parts of the general insurance industry that it "will not hesitate to intervene" in situations where firms fail to meet their obligations to customers. A report by the financial regulator examined short-term travel including coach trips, tradesman, GAP and motor ancillary insurance. It found some customers were sold inappropriate products, charged excessive prices or received poor service. Guests: Jonathan Davidson, Executive Director of Retail Supervision at the Financial Conduct Authority and Huw Evans, Director General of the Association of British Insurers.

Money Box listener Lola reveals how thieves tricked her caller ID into displaying her bank telephone number before stealing from her account. Guest: Richard Emery, Independent Fraud Investigator.

As Debenhams department store is taken over by its lenders as part of an administration process, what should customers with gift cards, wedding lists and insurance arranged via the store do? Guest: Adam French, Consumer Rights Expert for Which?

The price of wholesale energy has dropped sharply over the past two months. Could it eventually lead to lower bills for around 11 million households on default tariffs who are affected by Ofgem’s price cap? Guest Ellen Fraser, Independent Energy Consultant at Baringa.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

Criminals fraudulently stole £1.2 billion last year from our bank accounts according to the industry body UK Finance.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg - the true scale of financial fraud is hard to put a figure on. As many as four out of five people who have been stung don't report it.

Fraud is an epidemic that’s seemingly out of control.

In this programme, Iona Bain asks why do we fall for fraudsters?

How do they manage to dupe us into hitting the transfer button on fraudulent transactions worth thousands of pounds? Can understanding this give us more of a fighting chance against them? And what’s the role of technology in all of this - both as a catalyst and as a possible cure?

Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

As climate change protests continue, how can consumers cut carbon emissions and keep energy bills affordable? Can you be eco-friendly and stay within budget? What are the best green deals available? Share your tips for being more energy-efficient.

Adam Shaw and a panel of guests are ready to hear your renewable energy questions and experiences. Email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or call 03700 100 444 after 1pm on Wednesday 24 April. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.

Guests: Audrey Gallagher, Energy UK Mark Todd, energyhelpline.com Peter Smith, National Energy Action

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Sally Abrahams

Tens of thousands of low paid workers will face losing a week's pay or more because the firm that employs them is changing its payroll system. The pay is, in theory, just being deferred. But in practice that deferral could last until they leave their job. What will this mean for its lowest paid staff?

This week a committee of MP’s heard evidence that the practice refusing to rent to people on benefits is widespread. The housing charity Shelter is calling for it to be banned but letting agents don't think this is the answer.

The long term winners and losers on Universal Credit and air source heat pumps - the Government pays you to generate your own green energy so why are they so rare?

Presenter : Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

When you invest money do you care what it is used for? Would you avoid so called 'sin stocks' like tobacco, alcohol or gambling? Increasing numbers of people want to make sure their money is doing good - or at least as little harm as possible. But can you get a decent return from ethical investments? Paul Lewis and a panel of guests are taking your calls and queries about ethical investing.

Guests: Lisa Stonestreet, Head of Communications at the EIRIS Foundation Tanya Pein, independent financial adviser at In2 Planning and a Director of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association Peter Michaelis, Head of Sustainable Investment, Liontrust Asset Management

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Sally Abrahams

Free cash machines are disappearing across the UK at an 'alarming' rate according to Which? Two of the major private operators, Cardtronics and Notemachine, have introduced charges for nearly 1700 of their ATMS in the last few months, with more following soon. It's predicted that one in eight machines could soon charge us to take out our money. We hear from Tim Halford, managing director of Cardtronics who defends the charges.

Ofgem have scrapped a rule meaning energy suppliers must give customers 30 days notice of a price increase. Anthony Pygram Director of Conduct and Enforcement for the regulator tells us why.

And it's taken listener Alex Luke two and a half years to get her bank to repay all of the £180,000 stolen from her bank account by fraudsters three Christmases ago. We hear how she did it.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor Emma Rippon

Photo credit: Nidderdale Chamber of Trade

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

Ben Wallace MP, Minister for Economic Fraud responds to criticism from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary about whether the government is "content to leave fraud at the back of the queue" given what damage it can do.

Dan Whitworth reports on a significant development for the former clients of collapsed mini-bond firm London Capital and Finance.

And the launch of a pilot scheme to tackle rent arrears and keep people away from high cost credit by allowing them to flex their monthly rent payments.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Looking for and finding a job following a long career break can be difficult and demoralising. There are various reasons for extended career breaks including redundancy, divorce or family commitments. What help is available for returners and how can employers do more to recruit them?

Adam Shaw and a panel of guests are ready to hear your questions and experiences and provide practical help. Email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or call 03700 100 444 after 1pm on Wednesday 15th May. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.

Guests: Emily Andrews, Senior Evidence Manager at the Centre for Ageing Better, Stephanie Dillon, Founder of Inclusivity Partners and Sarah Chilton, Partner with specialist employment lawyers CM Murray.

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Andrew Smith

At least two million people suffer domestic abuse in the UK each year. But domestic abuse is not always just physical. Taking control of a partner's money - financial abuse - is often part of controlling someone. This week a new advice service has been launched aimed at people who work in banks and building societies to help them spot the signs of economic abuse among their customers and encourage them to offer practical help when they do.

Metro Bank is pronounced 'safe' by the Bank of England. But what would happen to customers if another bank did go bust?

Some businesses have been trying out shortening the working week from the five days which most full timers work to four but with no loss of pay. Could this leave workers feeling less stressed, more productive and striking a better work/life balance? Or would it pile more pressure onto an already stressed workforce?

And what to do if you're pursued for a debt that is not yours.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Crowdfunding involves asking a lot of people for typically small amounts of money. It's done online as a way of financing businesses, individuals, charities or the development of ideas. There are different ways to do it including making a donation, giving money in return for shares in a business, providing a loan or receiving a reward linked to the fundraising project in return for your cash.

Joining Adam Shaw to discuss the rules, risks and potential rewards of crowdfunding are Gerald Oppenheim Chief Executive for the Fundraising Regulator, Jes Bailey Founder and Consultant with Crowdfund 360 and Bruce Davis, Director of the UK Crowdfunding Association and also Co-Founder and Joint Managing Director at Abundance Investment.

If you have a question for the panel or want to share your experience of crowdfunding as a donor or as a fundraiser call 03700 100 444 after 1pm on Wednesday 22nd May or send an email before then to moneybox@bbc.co.uk

Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Emma Rippon

New safeguards for victims of bank fraud come into effect from Tuesday. Over 350 million pounds was stolen from accounts last year through what's called Authorised Push Payment Fraud - that happens when a person is tricked into transferring money into a fraudster's account. Often the banks have refused to refund victims but now they will have to.

Figures released this week by StepChange - one of the UK's largest debt charities - show a big rise in the amount of debt relief orders in England and Wales. But what is a debt relief order and why are they at a four year high?

Researchers at Newcastle University have found that a ban on online borrowing between 11pm and 7am could protect consumers and are calling for the introduction of 'credit curfews'.

And when a Money Box listener's partner died suddenly just days after they had taken delivery of a new car she could no longer afford the repayments. But the finance company initially told her it would cost tens of thousands of pounds to get out of the contract. We speak car finance with a consumer contract lawyer.

Presenter: Adam Shaw Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Music streaming is big business. But how do the various providers differ and how do their payment models work - for consumers and musicians? We'll hear from grime artist Chiedu Oraka, Alice Enders from Enders Analysis and from Chris Cooke who is head of Music at CMU Insights, a music business consultancy.

If you have a question for the panel or want to share your experience call us on 03700 100 444 between 1pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday 29nd May. (Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.) Or send an email before then to moneybox@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Paul Waters

Letting agencies can no longer charge tenants fees when they rent a property. They've already been banned in Scotland and now England is following suit. They can be pretty hefty - for example £500 for a credit check, £200 to check out of the property. These fees account for £700m a year and account for a fifth of agencies turnover. So is this a win win for tenants or will the ban have unintended consequences?

When it comes to elderly or vulnerable loved ones, family and friends often rely on other people to help manage their day to day lives, including going shopping, paying bills, helping them look after their money. Many elderly people fall victim to financial abuse. We speak to Action on Elder Abuse about what you can do to try to stop this from happening.

And this week a major change began which should mean that victims of bank fraud are reimbursed for their losses in almost every case. But it only applies to frauds committed from last Tuesday, May 28th. So what can be done about the estimated £1bn of money people have had stolen before this code was introduced?

Plus we find out more about TSB's 'fraud guarantee'.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editors: Richard Knight + Richard Vadon

Credit unions are financial not-for-profit co-operatives run by their members which offer a range of saving accounts and loans. Around 2 million people in the UK belong to one. In order to join people must have something in common with other members such as living or working in the same area or having the same occupation.

The work that credit unions do with those who are excluded from mainstream financial services has led to the perception that they are a "poor man's bank" but this isn't the whole story. Paul Lewis talks to Robert Kelly, Chief Executive of the Association of British Credit Unions, and Dr Paul A. Jones, Head of the Research Unit for Financial Inclusion at Liverpool John Moores University, about how credit unions are adapting in the age of fast digital banking

With contributions from Teresa Manning, Chief Executive of Clockwise Credit Union and Professor Sharon Collard Research Director of the Personal Finance Research Centre at the University of Bristol.

If you have a credit union related question for the panel you can call 03700 100 444 after 1pm on Wednesday 5th June or email moneybox@bbc.co.uk

Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Emma Rippon

Millions of people need financial advice but don't get it according to a damning report out this week. It's called the 'advice gap' and includes people who need advice about investment or pensions but can't afford professional advice and people who need free advice on a variety of money matters but don't know where to get it. We discuss how to make financial advice more accessible to everyone.

Banks have until April next year to implement major changes on overdraft charges. The fees from overdrafts bring in nearly two and a half billion pounds a year and they are mainly paid by a small number of customers who are in debt or vulnerable. The Financial Conduct Authority say it will be the biggest shakeup of overdraft fees in a generation, others aren't so impressed.

Over 9000 students in higher education are estranged from their families, without the safety net of the bank of Mum or Dad if things go wrong. Estrangement charity Stand Alone has found that financial and other pressures mean they're three times more likely to drop out before their course finishes than other students.

The Scottish Government have launched a brand new benefit for low income families. We found out how it works.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

For years we've rented carpet cleaners or hired a dinner jacket for a wedding. But now we're beginning to rent all sorts of other things too. Furniture., toys, even outfits for a work do. Money Box Live looks at the increasingly popular option of renting stuff rather than owning it. What can you borrow and what the pros and cons of doing so? We visit the Library of Things in south London where you can rent a tent, a waffle maker or even a ukulele. Will borrowing not buying help save the planet?

Guests: Emily Gordon-Smith Director of Consumer Products at Stylus Martyn James, Consumer rights expert at Resolver

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producer: Sally Abrahams

An inquiry has been launched into the potential mis-selling of leasehold properties. The Competition and Market Authority are aiming to shed light on potential misleading practice and unfair terms to better protect people buying a home in the future. What difference could it make to the lives of many whose homes have become unsellable?

We speak to some of the British Steel workers persuaded to transfer out of their final salary pension schemes by rogue advisers. This week the Financial Conduct Authority visited Port Talbot to answer some of their questions.

Earlier this month, the Equity Income Fund run by fund manager Neil Woodford suspended withdrawals by its investors. We hear from a listener whose money became trapped in the fund despite requesting a withdrawal more than 72 hours before the fund was frozen.

And after the BBC announced this week that many over-75's would have to start paying for their licence fee, we find out who will still be able to get it free.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Childcare in the UK is amongst the most expensive in the world – and prices keep rising. For some families, nursery fees cost more than the monthly mortgage. Whether you are looking at nurseries or childminders for your pre-school children what financial help is available to reduce costs? What is tax-free childcare and how does it work? Who is eligible for 15 or 30 hours’ free childcare a week – and what help can you get to pay for childcare if you’re on Universal Credit? We'll explore the options available to parents wanting to give their child the best start in life.

Adam Shaw and a panel of guests will be taking your calls, emails and tweets. Do get in touch. Call 03700 100 444 – lines open at 1300 on Wednesday 19 June; email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox

Guests: Megan Jarvie, Head of Coram Family and Childcare Charlotte McDonough, UK Policy advisor, Save the Children Neil Hill, Money expert, Money Advice Service

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Sally Abrahams

Complaints about the loans used to buy cars have trebled in three years - 50% up in the last year alone. A million new cars were sold to individuals in 2018 - more than nine out of ten on finance. We borrowed £45 billion to buy new and used cars last year. The size and growth of this finance has caused the Bank of England to express concerns and in November the Financial Conduct Authority was so worried it published new rules about how that credit was sold. We look at how well our ability to repay is being assessed.

Small businesses and the self-employed who pay VAT will have to make big changes to how the submit their information to HMRC over the next few months. It's all part of Making Tax Digital where quarterly figures must be submitted using approved software rather than just entering them manually on the HMRC website. Some large firms who already make accountancy packages are telling customers they must sign up for new and often expensive upgrades but do they really need to?

Nearly seven in ten people seeking advice were advised to transfer out of their guaranteed final salary pension and invest the money into a riskier pension fund. That's according to data released by the Financial Conduct Authority this week, collected over the last three and a half years. It says for most people that is bad advice - is it time for stricter controls on pensions transfers?

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Louise Cooper and guests look at the volatile world of investing in digital currencies. Call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 26 June or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now with your experiences and questions.

Joining Louise are:

Marc Warne, Founder, Bittylicious Jemima Kelly, reporter, FT Alphaville Dave Jevans, CEO, CipherTrace

Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Tens of thousands of people are using two new apps which let them access their wages as they earn them. With no more waiting around for monthly pay days is this new tech helping people’s financial health or putting them at more risk of going into debt?

Some of the people who lost money with the collapsed investment firm London Capital and Finance have been given a glimmer of hope they may be eligible for compensation. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme says some people may have been given advice about investing which would mean they could make a claim to get some, or all, of their money back. We hear the latest from the administrators and those who could benefit and those who are worried they might miss out.

Counting down to the end of a five year loan agreement, one small business couldn’t wait to make the last payment. But the owners didn’t read the small print. It said they needed to give three month’s notice before they could stop paying the loan. We speak to a contract law specialist to see what people should do to avoid any similar nasty surprises.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Who will take care of your finances and welfare if you no longer can? Putting in place a Power of Attorney - what ever your age - allows one or more trusted people to manage your money and personal needs if and when you need help, such as dealing with your bank, paying your bills or arranging personal care.

There are many aspects to consider such as who to appoint, what responsibilities they will have and whether you want to place restrictions on the decisions which can be made on your behalf or set out specific wishes in advance.

Perhaps you have one but are having difficulty using it or you're concerned that a relatives finances are being managed badly?

Who can help if a relative or friend has already lost mental capacity but doesn't have a power of attorney in place?

Whether you're thinking of setting up a power of attorney or want to share your views and experiences of using one we'd love to hear from you.

Presenter Paul Lewis will be joined by:

Sandra McDonald, former Public Guardian for Scotland Samantha Buckthought, Partner, Wolferstans & Panel Deputy for the Court of Protection Katie Evans, Money and Mental Health Policy Institute

Call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 3 July (standard network charges apply) or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now.

Prepaid cards are continuing to increase in popularity, often as an alternative to a bank account. In many cases they are advertised as ‘no paper work, no fuss’ but Money Box hear's that's not always the case.

A growing number of credit unions are offering loans which are repaid directly by child benefit payments to try to stop people getting into a cycle of expensive debt. Felicity Hannah reports on how they work in practice.

Why people who live in parts of Scotland are being charged extra for online delivery charges and how Office of Tax simplification plans to simplify inheritance tax.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Adam Shaw and guests discuss the costs and considerations of driving an electric car. To join the conversation call 03700 100 444 from 1pm – 3.30pm on Wednesday 10 July, email moneybox@bbc.co.uk or tweet @moneybox. We’d love to hear your views, questions and experiences.

On the panel:

Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder of Zap-Map and Next Green Car Claire Evans Consumer editor, Autocar and What Car? Anders Nilsson, GoCompare

Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Money Box's Drew Miller Hyndman has been to Southampton where this week TSB Bank held the latest in a series of in-branch sessions aimed at educating people on how to avoid becoming victims of financial fraud. Guest: Ashley Hart, Head of Fraud for TSB.

Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson have both set out their tax plans should they become Prime Minister. Carl Emmerson, Deputy Director of the Institute For Fiscal Studies compares, contrasts and costs the policies.

Gaps in the money management skills of children who are in, or young people who have left, care in England is the focus of a new report. It follows an inquiry by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Education for Young People. Ralph who went into care when he was 14 shares his perspective on the issue. Guest: Sam Turner, Voice and Influencing Manager at Become, a charity for children in care and young care leavers.

July 31st is the deadline to renew tax credits. If you already claim them what do you have to do and if you don’t – could you? Guest Victoria Todd Head of the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group team.

Reporter: Drew Miller Hyndman Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Emma Rippon

Share your experiences and tips for meeting the extra costs of the school holidays. Call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 17 July (standard network charges apply) or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now.

Whether you're working and need to find the money for extra childcare costs or you're looking for ways to entertain your children on a low income, we'd love to hear your stories and solutions on Wednesday’s Money Box Live.

Joining presenter Louise Cooper are:

Megan Jarvie, Head of Coram Family and Childcare Greta Defeyter, Director of the Healthy Living Lab at Northumbria University Ema Wilkes, Chief Executive, Neo Community

Louise visited the Notting Hill Adventure Playground.

Presenter: Louise Cooper Producers: Diane Richardson and Khadidja Ndiaye Editor: Emma Rippon

Money Box listener Gary takes reporter Dan Whitworth on a guided tour of electric car charging points in Swindon to illustrate the complexities of navigating the system and the associated costs. Guest: David Newton, CEO of BP Chargemaster, the UK's largest electric charging network.

Laura would love to be a homeowner. She regularly enters raffles and competitions in the hope of winning a house. Richard Williams, a solicitor specialising in gambling law, explains why and how home competitions can go wrong.

The Residential Landlords Association and campaign group Generation Rent debate findings from the RLA’s survey on government plans to abolish section 21 notices in England and Wales. Section 21 allows a landlord to evict tenants without a reason and with just 2 months notice. Guests: Georgie Lammy, Campaigns Lead, Generation Rent and John Stewart Policy Manager, Residential Landlords Association.

More people have been included in a scheme set up by HSBC to compensate people who paid unreasonable debt collection charges. Those affected were customers with loans, credit cards, or store cards with either HFC Bank Ltd or John Lewis Financial Services between 2003 and 2009. Both of those firms are now part of HSBC which told Money Box "We believe we have identified all those affected who may have paid a Debt Collection Charge between 2003 and 2009, and have or will shortly be writing to them. If someone believes they paid a Debt Collection Charge and we haven’t contacted them, they can call us to discuss on 0345 585 7564.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Emma Rippon