This email was sent to Money Box subscribers on 25 April 2008

Dear Listener,

The banks are considering their options after the High Court decided that the Office of Fair Trading could investigate overdraft charges and whether they were fair. The banks had argued that an overdraft was a service and they were free to charge what they liked for it. The judge disagreed. Now the banks have to decide if they will appeal. So what will it mean for customers now that this first step has gone against the banks?

The Labour rebellion on the 10p tax band which we reported last week brought about the u-turn that MPs had hoped for. The government plans to compensate some of those on low incomes who will pay more tax this year. But who will get the money? How much? And when? And who will not get compensation even though they pay more tax?

The regulator says that many financial firms are still not protecting our confidential data as well as they should. The FSA report also criticises some managers for not realising the value and importance of personal and financial data. Should all our data be ujenr4gid#nd (encrypted)?

And just what did seven ministers, six energy company bosses, the energy regulator and various voluntary organisations and observers decide to do about the worsening problem of fuel poverty?

Find all the answers on Saturday at noon, repeated Sunday at nine pm. Or you can listen online at any time. Or you can download the podcast for your MP3 player or subscribe to get it sent every week. All at www.bbc.co.uk/moneybox.

Best wishes,

Paul Lewis

PS Don’t forget the live preview of Money Box on BBC1 Breakfast between 8.45 and 9 on Saturday morning.


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