Dear listener,

You heard on Money Box last year that interest rates would go up in February. But in a surprise move by the Bank of England they went up this week, a month early.

Three rises in five months have taken rates to their highest for five and a half years. What does it mean for mortgages and savings?

Is the new civil service pension deal as gold plated as the old one? The minister in charge says it will be better for some but warns the government will impose an overall cap if costs rise too far. The main union says fixing a limit now is a step too far.

People buying a mortgage are in danger of being given bad advice - says the financial regulator, the FSA. It found two thirds of mortgage advisers – and three quarters of small ones – do not have the procedures to make sure the right advice is given. What can customers do?

Airlines are getting tough over the higher rate of Air Passenger Duty that starts on all flights from 1 February. It goes up by £5 for European flights and £20 for others. Most airlines tell us they will demand the extra tax from passengers before they fly - some have already taken it automatically from their credit card.

And a new way of taxing pensions that were taken out before July 1988 begins in April. Up to 200,000 people could get a tax refund but others will pay more.

That's all in Money Box Saturday at noon, Sunday at 9pm and any time on the web. And there's more information on our website about all these items now.

Best wishes,

Paul Lewis