Money Box

How do you turn a brilliant idea into a usable and saleable product, what does it cost to protect your design and how do you get the funding to start production? On Wednesday’s programme Adam Shaw speaks to independent inventors who've developed solutions to personal problems and now sell them worldwide. If you’ve an experience or question you’d like to share we’d love to hear from you too. Tweet @Moneybox or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk nowPresenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

We hear from a new starter whose boss asked her to buy £800 of vouchers - but it turned out to be a scam. Employers’ social media could be putting staff at risk from fraudsters, but to whom can victims turn for compensation? Dr Elisabeth Carter, criminologist and forensic linguist at the University of Roehampton tells us how scammers use a technique known as "genre mapping".Many of us who are self-employed or with side hustles channel the income through our personal accounts, but as one Money Box listener and yoga teacher found out, it can lead to your personal account being suddenly frozen. Andy Chamberlain from IPSE - The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed - lays out account holders' rights.If you're half of one of the almost one in 10 married couples with an age gap of more than 10 years, your pension could take a surprise hit in the event of your partner dying. Many pension schemes contain a discretionary clause known as the “young spouse discount.” One Money Box listener tells

Felicity Hannah talks to parents and community groups about the challenges facing many families and asks what financial and practical support is available. We'd love to hear your views and questions. Tweet @Moneybox or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk and remember to include a phone number if you'd like to take part.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

How much should the state pension rise by? Baroness Ros Altmann says pensioners are being short changed by a government plan to temporarily break the link with earnings. It'll save tax payers billions, but cost each pensioner hundreds of pounds. Baroness Altmann tells how she hopes to block the plan in the House of Lords next week and force a rethink.A Money Box investigation has discovered that criminals are openly buying and selling your financial information online. This data is known as “fullz”. This illegal trade used to take place on what is called the dark web but has now moved to social media and the ordinary web where it's much easier to find. Money Box Reporter Kaf Okpattah has been delving into the "fullz" trade. We also hear from a victim of the fraudsters, from Jason Dyer of cybercrime intelligence firm Scylla Intel, and from Amber Burridge, Head of Fraud Intelligence at CIFAS.People in Northern Ireland are facing even bigger rises in their gas and electricity bills than those in the rest of the

What will Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Autumn Budget mean for your personal or household finances? Paul Lewis and guests would love to hear your views and questions on Wednesday's Money Box Live. Joining Paul are:Laura Suter, Head of Personal Finance, A J Bell Heather Self, Corporate Partner, Blick Rothenberg Mike Brewer, Chief Economist, The Resolution Foundation Anita Monteith, Tax Technical Lead and Senior Policy Adviser, ICAEWTweet @Moneybox or e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk and remember to include a phone number if you'd like to take part.Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Rosamund Jones

The government has launched its new green investment bond for savers. The money raised will go to the Treasury and it says help pay for existing green priorities such as making transport cleaner and supporting energy efficiency. Individuals can put up to £100,000 into the National Savings & Investments green bond. It will pay 0.65% a year for three years. But there are dozens of similar products that pay a lot more. Is that the price of going green with your finances? We hear from Becky O’Connor, head of pensions and savings at Interactive Investor.If your energy firm has gone bust and you’re on a low income can you still get the £140 warm home discount off your winter electricity bill? We cut through the confusion with the help of energy analyst Ellen Fraser from Baringa consultants.The pensions gender gap is estimated to be more than double the earnings gap between men and women. But why do pensions magnify the disparity between men’s and women’s pay? Why are women losing out? And how can young women to

Many financial products are labelled as green, sustainable or ethical but how can you be sure that your mortgage, investment or pension really does have a positive environmental impact? What are the options and where can you find the information you need? Why not join the conversation with Felicity Hannah and guests on Wednesday's Money Box Live. e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now and please include a phone number if you'd like to take part.On the panel:Lily Tomson, Share Action. Rebecca O’Connor, Interactive Investor. Jeannie Boyle, EQ Investors.Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producers: Paul Waters and Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Debt advisers in England fear that government plans to change the way their service is funded will see big cuts in the amount of face-to-face advice available.We hear from a woman who says in-person debt advice helped turn her life around, in a way that online of over the phone assistance could never match. And debt adviser Amy Taylor, who is chair of the Greater Manchester Money Advice Group, tells us about the impact the changes could have in face-to-face help for people in her region.The parents and guardians of young people who lack mental capacity are still being denied access to their child trust funds, despite the government promising to look at the problem a year ago. In the wake of this week's House of Lords debate on the issue, we hear from campaigning parent Andrew Turner on changes he would like to see to the current expensive, difficult and lengthy legal process facing families who want to access the cash their children need.And as three more energy suppliers go bust this week, Dermot Nolan, the

Joice Etutu hears about some of the financial, mentoring and marketing initiatives supporting black entrepreneurs. Can business know-how and raising consumer awareness help to bring about positive change and address economic equality? We’d love to hear from you too, e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk with your ideas and experiences.Presenter: Joice Etutu Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Hundreds of thousands of small businesses are not covered by the energy price cap which sets a maximum charge for each unit of electricity and gas. The existing cap only applies to domestic customers. Many small businesses have seen their bills soar over the last few weeks.Edinburgh University is denying some students access to its healthcare service because the GP register is full. But can the students claim for having to go private?And the contactless payment limit on your cards will rise to £100 next Friday. Some banks are letting customers choose their limit.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Kafui Okpattah Researcher: Anita Langary Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

As temperatures drop and energy prices rise we're talking about bills, energy providers and switching on Wednesday's Money Box Live.What are your rights if your energy supplier stops trading? What happens about credits you’ve built up or money you owe? Do you have a say about the new tariff you’re moved to and is financial support available if you’re worried about paying your bills? We’d love to hear your energy stories, questions and views so e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now. Please include a phone number if you’d like to chat to presenter Adam Shaw and guests on Wednesday.Presenter: Adam Shaw Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

People in England and Wales who started university from September 2012 could see their student loan repayments rise by hundreds of pounds a year.Economic abuse has grown during the pandemic. We talk to one woman who was forced into debt by her husband. And one 82-year- old wants to know where his £1200 savings bond has gone which he took out in 1986. How do you trace old financial products?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Anita Langary Production Coordinator: Janet Staples Producer: Alex Lewis /Charmaine Cozier Editor: Emma Rippon

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, known as the furlough scheme is coming to an end and we'd like to hear what this means for your job or your business. Are you able to work as you did before the pandemic, or will you be facing difficult financial and personal decisions?What are the alternatives and potential solutions if staff or employers need or want to work differently?Whether you’re running a small business or you’re an employee, e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now and please include a phone number if you'd like to take part.Joining Paul Lewis on the panel are:Maya Alba-Heller, ACAS Adviser Hannah Thomas, Employment Solicitor, Markel LawPresenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

As the price of gas and electricity continues to soar. What more can be done to keep our bills in check?New pensioners who have turned 66 this year are facing long delays before their pension is paid as the queue of those waiting doubles. And as theft from customers bank accounts rises 80% in six months, should the Government declare fraud a threat to national security?Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Anita Langary Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Do you have a question about saving and investing for children? Whether you’re interested in easy access, regular savings accounts or thinking of stocks and shares, our panel will be ready to help on Wednesday’s Money Box Live. Whatever your question, e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk now and please include a phone number if you’d like to take part in the programme.Joining presenter Charmaine Cozier are:• Chartered Financial Planner Claire Walsh • Rachel Springall from financial comparison site MoneyfactsPresenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Four energy companies go bust in a fortnight. Gas and electricity prices set to rise by 12% for millions of customers. And there are warnings of energy shortages this winter. What can consumers do to protect themselves?There has been a rapid growth in the number of young people who appear to be laundering money through their bank accounts for criminals.And a bank offering special deals for students turns down one eighteen year old because her credit score is only ‘good’.Presenter: Paul Lewis Researcher: Anita Langary Reporter: Dan Whitworth Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples Series producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

Many workers send a share of their wages abroad to support loved ones financially, a responsibility they may or may not be able to shoulder.In this episode Joice Etutu explores the aspirations of those supporting family overseas plus the emotions, pressures and difficult questions that arise. What is the right amount of money to send, how do you choose between competing requests, what personal sacrifices do you make and where do you draw the line or say no?We’d love to hear your personal stories, views and experiences so please get in touch if you’d like to take part, e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk or Tweet @moneyboxPresenter: Joice Etutu Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Thieves are going after the millions of pounds being handed over to people reaching the age of 18 from their Government-sponsored Child Trust Funds. Why are there not more effective, targeted fraud warnings?The unemployment rate among young black people during the pandemic was more than three times higher than the rate for white people of the same age. This week the Government was grilled over what's been described as a 'shocking inequality'.And mortgage interest rates hit record lows with more than 120 offers below 1% but only those with equity or savings already can get them.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Anita Langary Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon

As students across the UK set off for university, we’re taking a look at the big student money dilemmas. E-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk with your experiences, ideas and questions now. From student loans to bank accounts, scholarships and finding a job. Felicity Hannah and guests will be ready with help and advice about paying your way through university. Joining Felicity are: Tom Allingham, Save The Student. Pamela Lockhart, Student Money Adviser, Dundee University. Rachel Springall, Moneyfacts Comparison Site. We’d love to hear from you too, e-mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk with your experiences and questions and please include a phone number if you’d like to join the conversation on Wednesday 8 September at 3pm. Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Emma Rippon

Money Box hears from the successful businessman who had half a million pounds stolen in three months through a Bitcoin fraud. He wants to warn people that "if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone" Plus we speak to cyber security expert Lisa Forte about how to help protect yourself when investing in cryptocurrency.Buy Now, Debt Later - how spreading the cost of buying could lead to being chased by debt collectors. A report by Citizens Advice says 10% of BNPL users end up being chased by debt collectors.And the Teacher’s Pension Scheme demands thousands of pounds back from a pensioner on benefits even though its error led to her being overpaid.Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Anita Langary Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon