http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17644528

 

I used to write pieces most Saturdays for BBC online, usually based on a story that ran on Money Box. I do fewer now.
Those pieces are brought together here.
They are © Paul Lewis 2001-2013

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• 16 March 2013 Empty home owners council tax shock New rules mean councils can impose 100% or even 150% council tax
• 23 February 2013 Uganda's bumpy road to prosperity Inflation is high, tax take is rising, but the roads are in a parlous state
• 19 February 2013 How care fee reforms may affect you My guide to the Government plans

• 9 June 2012 Lloyds TSB pays compensation after lending dementia patient £18,000
• 7 April 2012 £250 million a year wasted on gift cards
• 31 March 2012 Tax credit letters 'misleading'. Charity says HMRC letters to 1.5 million could put people off claiming
• 25 February 2012 Pension holders warned about releasing money early Pension liberation schemes may cost all your fund.
• 10 October 2011 Power firms challenged on subsidy Government tells them to offer discount more widely
• 27 August 2011 Will jobless have to pay full council tax? Government plans to cut 10% off council tax benefit.

• 8 July 2011 Bank has 'failed' over inflation - graph shows how Bank of England predictions wrong for two years
• 25 June 2011 Tesco Bank apologies for online account faults Thousands locked out of access to their money for days
• 17 March 2011 Students could pay back double their loans Video report on student loan costs
• 5 March 2011 Investor loses £100,000 on landbanking scam Video report on landbanking
• 22 January 2011 VAT cheats should be jailed, says MP Unregistered traders are demanding VAT and pocketing it.
• 9 October 2010 Consumer Focus faces axe in quango cull Money Box learns that Consumer Focus will go
• 2 October 2010 Over 60s lose out in mortgage cut Rate falls from 6.08% to 3.63% for those on pension credit and other benefits
• 11 September 2010 Call for more prisoner bank accounts Co-op says bank accounts can help prevent re-offending.
• 11 September 2010 Revenue and Customs boss says he need not apologise for taking the wrong tax of 5.8 million.

• 10 April 2010 Nationwide bans small withdrawals Cash card customers cannot take out less than £100 over the counter.
• 20 March 2010 Fuel rebate for people over 70 £80 off a summer bill if you are 70+ and on a very low income.
• 13 March 2010 Online retailers passing on shoppers' bank details Information Commissioner warns shoppers
• 6 February 2010 IT problems at Revenue cause more tax code errors Whistleblowers reveal scale of problem
• 16 January 2010 Haiti online donations blocked over fraud concerns Banks block some credit card donations
• 9 January 2010 Change bank for faster payments Official advice says dump your bank if clearing times are too slow
• 24 December 2009 Christmas message Sent instead of the weekly newsletter.
• 12 December 2009 State pension freeze saves £350m Parts of the state pension will be frozen, BBC reveals
• 5 December 2009 Warm Front insulation funding halved Only half of next year's money left after overspend this year
• 7 November 2009 Pensioners will lose payment choice Payment in advance to stop in April for new claims
• 31 October 2009 Inheritance changes for couples Spouses and partners to get more where there is no will
• 24 October 2009 Depositors bring down Dutch bank Customers break DSB bank by taking out their money.
• 3 October 2009 The cost of cashing in your coins Price rises in supermarket coin counting machines.
• 26 September 2009 Annual pension fee 'can cost 40% How 1.5% a year can mean a 40% cut in your pension
• 26 September 2009 Fixed ISA top-ups a 'grey area' Some banks and building society staff confused about new over 50s rules
• 19 September 2009 Inside the mortgage factory The City office where mortgage deals are done
• 12 September 2009 In Pictures: Inside a gold factory Eight photos from Baird & Co who turn scrap metal into gold investment bars.

• 18 July 2009 Care urged on comparison site use They have an incentive to promote products that pay them best
• 11 July 2009 Arrears fees must 'reflect costs' says trade body as four mortgage lenders investigated by FSA
• 27 June 2009 FSA will end commission bias New rules for selling financial products to begin in 2012
• 13 June 2009 'Keep your promises' Brown told Nearly 10,000 customers of Presbyterian Mutual have lost their money
• 6 June 2009 Bereaved may miss out on benefits Coroners do not always give them the information they need
• 9 May 2009 Natwest guidance 'not impartial' MoneySense advisers can also sell NatWest products
• 11 April 2009 Stop benefit change say Lib Dems Two million to 'lose' a week's benefit when payments go fortnightly
• 4 April 2009 State pension deadline extended Another month to pay your National Insurance contributions after computer glitch
• 28 March 2009 Icesave ISA deadline is extended Another six months to find a home for your Icesave ISA
• 21 March 2009 Inflation fall will hit pensions Some annuities could be cut if inflation goes negative
• 7 February 2009 Charity calls for savings changes Why does DWP still assume savings earn 10% a year?
• 31 January 2009 Northern Ireland savers at risk Compensation scheme does not extend to some NI mutuals
• 24 January 2009 Standard Life facts 'misleading' Pension Sterling Fund material 'not clear, not fair, and definitely misleading' says lawyer
• 17 January 2009 Cash funds are not always cash Warning on the dangers of so-called 'cash' funds.
• 10 January 2009 Tories will not scrap tax taper Osborne sets out tax cuts but 'taper' on age allowance too expensive to stop.
• 20 December 2008 Cold snap payments cost millions The freezing start to the winter means £25 a week to half a million.
• 6 December 2008 Reclaim your share of £250 million tax Pensioners and low income households overpay tax on savings interest
• 29 November 2008 Top consumer representative quits Lord Lipsey leaves Financial Services Consumer Panel
• 8 November 2008 Price falls cut inheritance tax Inheritance tax can be refunded on sale less than valuation
• 25 October 2008 Extra pension will cost nothing Minister admits that only one in five will claim and that cost will be met by raising prices
• 18 October 2008 Bank rate and inflation to fall Bank rate below 2% and inflation plummeting to 1% says Bootle
• 11 October 2008 Offshore Icelandic funds at risk Landsbanki Guernsey and Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander (Isle of Man) dangers
• 4 October 2008 Icelandic banks reassure savers Icesave and Kaupthing say your money is safe.
• 29 September 2008 Building societies face B&B bill bank bailout will cost Britain's building societies more than £80 million next year
• 27 September 2008 Mortgage victims may go to court HBOS and Barclays could be sued over 1990s equity release deals
• 20 September 2008 Over 60s lose money from change Backdating cut will save £300 million net over three years
• 6 September 2008 Mortgage interest help is limited Despite improvements over-60s lose out and unemployed face time limits
• 30 August 2008 Relatives warned over foster pay Unless they are careful relatives may get nothing for caring for a child

• 21 June 2008 Benefits cheques to stop by 2010 'giros' to be replaced by plastic cards
• 14 June 2008 Tax refund limit cut by a third MPs approve rule changes to restrict overpayment refunds
• 7 June 2008 MP demands end to landbanking New laws needed to stop land investment schemes
• 31 May 2008 Treasury delays small pension tax 420,000 pensioners won't pay tax for 2007/08
• 24 May 2008 Barclays refuses full ISA refunds Thousands of savers will lose up to 14 days' interest
• 4 May 2008 Pension boost for married women Thousands of retired married women could get more state pension
• 19 April 2008 Mortgage demand for jobless Lenders want Government to pay interest for out of work
• 12 April 2008 Ombudsman "is too middle class" Financial Ombudsman should broaden service
• 29 March 2008 Minister scraps pension target Government will not try to get 3.2 million over 60s on pension credit
• 15 March 2008 Minister ponders pension tax help Higher rate tax on pension compensation may be cut.
• 8 March 2008 Cohabitation law delay 'shoddy' Government delay on rights for cohabitees criticised by lawyers
• 23 February 2008 Courts missing regulator's rules Do judges take FSA rules into account on mortgage arrears?
• 16 February 2008 Sale and rent back rip-off claim Shelter accuses firms over cash offers for homes
• 26 January 2008 Security stops MPs filing online One rule for them another for us on self-assessment
• 29 December 2007 Pension reforms could be delayed Chief warns 2012 start may not be achieved
• 15 December 2007 Christmas pension payment worries Long queues feared as pensions not paid early
• 8 December 2007 Banks to keep age discrimination High St banks and building societies reject anti ageism change
• 1 December 2007 Lower paid face April tax rise Five million will be worse off after tax rate changes
• 24 November 2007 Darling told to pay fraud costs Banks say Government should pay costs of Child Benefit data loss
• 10 November 2007 Insurer offers postcode pensions Legal & General pays more to those in poor areas
• 3 November 2007 Thousands at risk after data loss HM Revenue & Customs mislays 15,000 taxpayer records
• 27 October 2007 Helpline staff gave wrong advice Minister admits errors and promises improvements
• 20 October 2007 Lenders reject Darling's attack Mortgage lenders say they are not responsible for rise in house prices
• 6 October 2007 Pensions boost for older women Up to half a million women may be able to claim a pension
• 29 September 2007 Northern Rock shareholders' plea Government should act to preserve bank's value.
• 22 September 2007 Carers gain from policy change Thousands of carers could gain £47 a week after Government U-turn
• 8 September 2007 Compensation hope for flights BA and Virgin may have to refund unlawfully agreed fuel surcharge
• 1 September 2007 Mortgage fears on market turmoil Mortgage rates may rise because of banks' losses

• 23 June 2007 Tax call for buy-to-let homes Housing body calls for end to tax relief on buy-to-let mortgages
• 16 June 2007 Commission 'caused mis-sellng' Top industry figure calls for end to commission
• 9 June 2007 Tax warning on offshore accounts Two weeks to own up to hidden funds
• 19 May 2007 Parents to share new baby leave Plans to let Dads take paid leave if Mum returns to work
• 12 May 2007 Pension loss claim "irresponsible" Government denies claims that many married women are underpaid state pension
• 28 April 2007 Property alert for unwed couples Court ruling means couple should set out who owns what.
• 14 April 2007 Law gives borrowers new rights Lenders will have to consider ability to repay when lending
• 7 April 2007 Court bid for bank charge ruling A young barrister risks his career to force the banks into court
• 31 March 2007 'Ridiculous' rules confuse mums complex maternity leave and benefits hard to understand
• 24 March 2007 Government's £160mn pension saving Tax cuts mean less will go into our pensions
• 17 March 2007 Bank current account challenge Credit unions now offer genuine alternative to the banks
• 10 March 2007 Revenue sends wrong tax codes Thousands of pensioners upset by letters
• 3 March 2007 Investment 'scandal' risk warning Investors at risk for amended rules for foreign companies
• 24 February 2007 Carers losing out as wages rise A small rise in the minimum wage costs carers £46.95
• 17 February 2007 Nationwide customers pay £1 million fine Society says it would be 'unfair' to make directors pay
• 10 February 2007 Pensioner fuel bills 'a disgrace' Half of over-60s have to cut back to keep warm
• 3 February 2007 Automatic council tax help urged Charity says Government should pay it without a claim
• 20 January 2007 Debt firms warned about adverts Companies that sell IVAs told to change their claims
• 13 January 2007 200.000 pensioners are overtaxed Changes to the way some pensions are taxed reveals problem
• 6 January 2007 Thousands get care refund hope One man gets £50,000 refunded for mother's Alzheimer's care.
• 30 December 2006 Fuel bills could fall by 30% Wholesale gas and electricity prices tumble
• 23 December 2006 More windfalls predicted for 2007 Ten building societies could merge in 2007
• 16 December 2006 Major IT error at Revenue Hundreds of thousands of people wrongly told of a hole in their NI contributions
• 9 December 2006 Home loan fees rise to curb rates Arrangement fees can top £1000 just to start a mortgage
• 2 December 2006 Rates freeze annoys savers ING upsets customers by not raising savings rate
• 25 November 2006 Young may 'refuse' to pay pensions Forty and fifty somethings mustn't be greedy and should work longer
• 18 November 2006 Banks agree to honour cheques From November 2007 banks won't bounce cheques after six days
• 11 November 2006 New rights for small shareholders A new law will give all shareholders the right to speak and vote at AGMs
• 21 October 2006 Bank's mortgage triple whammy Bank of Scotland takes mortgage payments three times.
• 14 October 2006 Foreign banks offer best buys Iceland's Landsbanki tempts with Icesave account and ING offers mortgages
• 7 October 2006 Tougher penalties at Lloyds TSB Lloyds tightens up penalties for going overdrawn - but won't say what the cost is.
• 30 September 2006 Insurer acts on unclaimed shares Standard Life looks for 270,000 customers owed £250 million
• 23 September 2006 Glitch leaves drivers uninsured Cooperative Insurance (CIS) admits 2000 policies not renewed
• 16 September 2006 'Cheaper mortgages' Nationwide's boss says merger with Portman will benefit customers

• 15 July 2006 Taxpayers told to check accounts 14,000 taxpayers targeted by Revenue and asked to check if their tax is right.
• 24 June 2006 Some mortgage exit fees 'illegal' Charges for ending your mortgage under fire.
• 17 June 2006 Pension rules could close schemes Company pension funds ask Government to ease rules on inflation proofing
• 10 June 2006 Banks fight back on court action They close accounts of customers who go to court over charges
• 20 May 2006 Mutual boss tempts 'carpetbaggers' Kent Reliance lets new members share in future windfalls
• 13 May 2006 'Urgency' call in pension reform Many pensioners won't live to see changes planned by Government
• 8 April 2006 Shift in state pension needed Lord Turner sets the target the Government must reach in its reforms
• 1 April 2006 Mutual vote could cost, warns MP Standard Life members who vote 'yes' could be worse off in four years.
• 25 March 2006 Budget move threatens 2000 jobs industry hopes to reverse decision to scrap the Home Computing Initiative
• 18 March 2006 ISA warning as deadline looms Many cash ISA deals not as good as they appear
• 11 March 2006 DWP 'sharp practice' says lawyer Government accused of sharp practice as it asks for Pension Credit back.
• 4 March 2006 Legal challenge threat on ageism Government plans for redundancy and retirement age may be challenged in the courts
• 25 February 2006 New law gives artists up to £4 million artist's resale right welcomed
• 18 February 2006 Challenge bank charges, says lawyer penalty charges for overdrafts or missed payments may be illegal
• 28 January 2006 Revenue stops photo receipts HM Customs & Revenue won't let taxpayers take proof of handing in forms
• 14 January 2006 Revenue threatens tax judgement HM Customs & Revenue petitions Lords to appeal in Arctic Systems case
• 7 January 2006 Ireland bans credit limit hikes No increase in credit card limits from July without customer's permission
• 12 November 2005 Insurers 'in denial' over SERPS Compensation claims begin over contracting out of SERPS
• 5 November 2005 Despair at DWP 'revolving door' Pensions industry worries about six Secretaries of State in eight years.
• 29 October 2005 Minister mulls tax credit appeals against over payment recovery
• 15 October 2005 Revenue's £300 million a year tax error How to claim back on PAYE mistakes
• 1 October 2005 Pension regulation 'gap year' risk Plans to regulate self-invested personal pension will leave a year of risk.
• 24 September 2005 Higher pension age 'has to be looked at' Top Tory Sir Malcolm Rifkind says he will if he becomes leader
• 17 September 2005 Sell simple products, insurers told Minister says insurers who don't sell stakeholder will suffer
• 3 September 2005 IFA warning on property pensions Danger from unregulated Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs)

• 9 July 2005 Indian bank wants UK savers ICICI, India's largest private bank, offers 5.4% on your savings - for now.
• 2 July 2005 Costlier pensions if rules change Regulator's plans to scrap sales information will put up prices.
• 18 June 2005 Elderly must write for extra cash Some people claiming pension credit must claim more each month or miss out.
• 11 June 2005 Credit card scrapped for 70,000 Intelligent Finance calls a halt to its unique 'offset' credit card.
• 28 May 2005 Homeowners must keep deeds safe Two lenders no longer keep vital documents for borrowers
• 21 May 2005 Concern over financial commission BBC investigation examines if sales are biased by commission and if there is an alternative
• 14 May 2005 Banks reject shared branches As more branches close, banks say they won't join up to save costs
• 30 April 2005 Better money for endowments Demand from European investors means selling your endowment may be profitable
• 16 April 2005 Pension changes mean more cash Waiting to retire until 6 April 2006 could mean more money
• 9 April 2005 Banks may cut clearing time to an hour Plans for new technology revealed
• 2 April 2005 Deadlines for children's money Child Trust Fund choices
• 26 February 2005 Pension help 'leaves out 50,000' Financial Assistance Scheme will only help those close to retirement age.
• 19 February 2005 Bond breaks its word 2000 people may lose £17 million after Eurolife says it cannot pay them.
• 12 February 2005 Council Tax help for over-60s Unique Kent project could be model
• 22 January 2005 Pension boost for half a million Government writes to pensioners offering pension boost
• 4 December 2004 Minister calls for pension reform Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson wants to reform state pension
• 4 December 2004 Chancellor reveals pension rises More for poorer pensioners and state pension rates from April
• 28 November 2004 New rules could end independent advice Changes to the way financial products are sold
• 14 November 2004 Row over pension assistance fund 'What planet is Minister on?' asks pension funds boss.
• 7 November 2004 Will Aid 2004 underway Charities get fees for wills made in November.
• 23 October 2004 Privacy Rules 'help lending decisions' Family members will not be linked in credit information
• 16 October 2004 Call for Government pension subsidy Insurers want employers to be paid for providing pensions
• 9 October 2004 Cheques to be made more certain industry responds to concerns about late bouncing cheques
• 2 October 2004 Call for tax credits reform change overpayment rules and make information clearer, says pressure group
• 25 September 2004 Pension boost for some over 80s a little known pension could mean £47 a week
• 18 September 2004 Ads cause tax credit confusion do those forms have to be returned or not?
• 4 September 2004 Urgent talks after pensions error new payment system closed down by clerk in New York

• 17 July 2004 Tories want city watchdog reform Howard Flight on FSA reform plans
• 10 July 2004 Pension fund not enough 40,000 people face reduced pension if engineering firm goes bust.
• 3 July 2004 No guarantee after DWP job cuts 11,000 jobs to go - Minister refuses to guarantee customers service will improve.
• 26 June 2004 Employers warned on pension fund The new chairman of the Pension Protection Fund warns of 'unscrupulous employers' waiting in the wings.
• 12 June 2004 Delays hit care home refunds Thousands of elderly people still waiting to get their own money back
• 5 June 2004 Save money by 're-pensioning' cut charges if your pension began before April 2001.
• 29 May 2004 New endowment compensation hope - FSA tightens time bar rules
• 22 May 2004 Strikes loom over pensions - public sector pension cuts will cause unrest
• 15 May 2004 Pension compensation confusion - Government cannot say when or how much will be paid
• 24 April 2004 Banks 'stealing by finding' says MP - accusations over use of dormant accounts
• 20 April 2004 Interest rates: Does a cap fit? should high interest rates be banned by law?
• 3 April 2004 Standard Life boss defends review - Sandy Crombie denies review was a sham.
• 27 March 2004 Benefits system 'should be simpler' says top civil servant at Department for Work and Pensions
• 13 March 2004 No hope for Equitable Losers Government rules out re-opening Penrose enquiry
• 28 February 2004 Banks may charge for money transfers when a new system starts in 2005
• 21 February 2004 Pensions backlog 'not acceptable' says MP as 30,000 widowed and divorcees wait for pensions
• 14 February 2004 Cash boost for working longer as government promises more for deferring retirement
• 14 February 2004 Watchdog to study afternoon TV - The FSA launches a new unit to monitor adverts
• 7 February 2004 Ex Equitable boss defends his record - Chris Headdon speaks to the BBC
• 31 January 2004 Insurer denies mis-selling charge - Legal & General defends its record
• 24 January 2004 Cash may not be King The FSA warns on the dangers of cautious investment
• 20 December 2003 'Excessive charges' on store cards denied by the industry
• 13 December 2003 Faint hope for Tribune customers as the insurer goes bust, few out of 40,000 will get compensation
• 13 December 2003 Tax time-bomb for self-employed becoming a company will no longer save money
• 6 December 2003 Unlocked pensions poverty trap beware schemes that take money from your pension
• 15 November 2003 Economist warns of debt crisis as personal debt heads towards £1 trillion
• 8 November 2003 Europe demands answers on pensions which vanish when companies go bust
• 1 November 2003 Insurer may boycott child trust fund Norwich Union demands 5% upfront and 1% a year to take part
• 24 October 2003 Reliance chief slams financial services and says 60 building societies will disappear.
• 17 October 2003 Endowment claims process clogs up Companies get more time to deal with complaints.
• 13 September 2003 More endowment misery Money Box discovers a new group of people who cannot get compensation
• 6 September 2003 Interest rate rise by 2004 Top economist predicts rates will go up

• 19 July 2003 Swansong of the financial watchdog Sir Howard Davies's parting thoughts
• 12 July 2003 Savers may not face rate cuts Building society chief says mortgages cheap enough
• 5 July 2003 Minister denies "work 'til you drop" plan Pensions Minister Malcolm Wicks interviewed
• 28 June 2003 'Shares will grow' says FSA watchdog predicts 7.5%-8.5% growth per year in long-term
• 21 June 2003 Money moves swiftly in Sweden UK banks run out of excuses for slow money transfers
• 7 June 2003 Pension inflation protection may end company pensions may cut inflation to 2.5%
• 31 May 2003 Annuity rates continue to decline more misery for people who save for their own retirement
• 24 May 2003 Low income savers owed £300 million Revenue admits Tax Back campaign has not worked
• 3 May 2003 Revenue relaxes contribution rules New rules make it easier to get a full pension
• 26 April 2003 Minister admits tax credit problems Dawn Primarolo admits system has not worked as it should
• 29 March 2003 Plans to cut war disablement benefit The Government wants to reduce the money paid to injured service men and women.
• 8 March 2003 Extra tax for 65 year olds Inland Revenue fails to give full tax relief to over 65s
• 22 February 2003 Post Office admits technology mistake On Money Box, the Post Office Director of Banking admits that mistakes have been made and 20,000 PIN pads will have to be adapted.
• 22 February 2003 Seven steps to money heaven Why is it so hard to open a new Post Office Card Account to continue to get pensions and benefits at the Post Office?
• 22 February 2003 Council Tax: Cut your bill Council tax bills are set to rise by more than 10% - much more in parts of England. Tips on how to apply for money off your council tax.
• 15 February 2003 Computer error halts fuel payments More than 1000 winter fuel payment claims are wiped from the computer.
• 1 November 2002 Cash Up Will we see the end of cash by 2020? The BBC's Book of the Future

• 11 May 2002 Married women's reduced rate contributions Thousands of women still pay useless National Insurance contributions.
• 5 October 2001 Citibank riles online customers A new online banking aggregation service runs into problems.
• 25 January 2001 An Inequitable Life The collapse of Equitable Life and its effects

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