Money Box Live broadcasts from Grange Crescent Residential Care Home in Sheffield for a special programme on the cost of care.Unlike NHS services, social care is not free at the point of use. It costs an average of around £60,000 per year to live in a residential care home and considerably more if you need nursing care.Last week the Department of Health and Social Care announced a new review into care costs, but the independent commission tasked with the job will not publish it's final report until 2028.We'll be speaking to residents and family members about how they're paying their care bills and hearing from the care home manager about how it all works.Joining Felicity Hannah is Claire Rintoul, CEO of the charity Sheffcare which operates Grange Crescent Residential Care Home as well as eight others in the city,
Professor Vic Rayner, Chair of the Care Providers Alliance which represents independent and voluntary adult social care providers in England and from the Society of later life advisors, Independent Financial Advisor Jonathan Rowley.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Production Coordinators: Emma Smith and Molly Pipe
Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast 3pm on Wednesday the 8th of January, 2025)
--------
28:24
Energy Costs and Private Schools VAT
Temperatures have fallen below zero in much of the UK this week, just as gas and electricity prices rose. From New Year's Day the price cap set by the regulator Ofgem on every unit of power we use will mean the price for heating, washing and cooking for a typical household will rise by just over one per cent. A typical bill will go up £21 a year to £1,738. But, that is in fact 10% or £190 lower than the price cap set a year ago. How are people coping with costs this winter?From New Year's Day the fees private schools charge parents will be subject to VAT at 20%. Previously private school fees were exempt. The Independent Schools’ Bursars Association has told Money Box that schools are raising fees from this term by between 13% and 18%, though some are absorbing the whole cost while others pass on the full amount raising fees by 20%. What impact will that have on schools and parents? The Treasury says pupils numbers at independent schools have remained steady since 2000, despite fees increasing by around 75% in real terms since then. We'll speak to Rudolf Eliott Lockhart - CEO of the Independent Schools Association.From 1st January catching the bus could cost you 50% more. Single fares in England which had been capped at £2 have risen by a pound to a maximum of £3. What impact will that have on passengers?And 'tis the season to be - taking things back. What are your refund rights?Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Emma Smith, Catherine Lund and Eimear Devlin.
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12noon Saturday 4th January 2025)
--------
24:51
The Cost of Having a Pet
There are 36 million pets in the UK, which doesn't include fish and other aquatics, and the cost of owning one can add up.One of the biggest bills a pet owner can face is the price of taking their animal to the vet. The Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation earlier this year into whether people are paying too much and whether they are getting information about treatment options. It says the 'unprecedented response' it's had shows the strength of feeling. Aside from that, there's the general cost of care like food and heating bills.This week Felicity Hannah is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux, dog owner, vet and current president of the British Veterinary Association and by Lisa Webb, dog and cat owner and senior lawyer at the consumer organisation Which?We also hear from an award winning dog breeder, a cat and rabbit rescue centre and even head to a dog Christmas party - although we must point out, a pet is for life, not just for the festive season.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast on Saturday the 28th of December 2024).
--------
24:48
Energy Bill Support and Christmas Cheer!
Electricity and gas suppliers say they're offering hundreds of millions of pounds of additional support for customers this winter. Energy prices will rise again on New Year's Day and the latest figures from the regulator Ofgem show customers already owe suppliers a record £3.7bn in unpaid bills. We'll look at what help customers might be able to get if they're struggling to pay their bills.On Thursday the Bank of England kept the Bank Rate unchanged at 4.75%. We'll ask a mortgage broker what buyers can expect in 2025? As a deadline approaches for government funded childcare hours for some working parents – how does it work and how can they apply?We'll look back at some of the help given to Money Box listeners this year and hear music from the Barton Road Choir.Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Emma Smith and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast at 12pm Saturday 21st December 2024)
--------
24:20
Money Box Live: Side Hustles
Almost half of us are making money from side hustles according to the comparison site, Finder.But how do they work, what do you need to do if you have one and when do you need to tell the tax office?We will be meeting those using their hobbies to boost their bank balances this Christmas as well as clearing up the rules around selling on online platforms.Joining Felicity Hannah is Helen Thornley from the Association of Tax Technicians and Vicks Rodwell of IPSE, the association for self-employed people.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producers: Sarah Rogers and Neil Morrow
Production Coordinator: Emma Smith
Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Wednesday 18th December 2024)
Italia