Dear Listener

It’s a big day at work today. Not for me particularly but for everyone who works in or indeed visits a workplace. Be careful what you say. If you make any derogatory remarks about someone’s race, sex, disability, age, religion, or sexual orientation then there could be trouble. And I would just like to stress that I list those six ‘protected characteristics’ in no particular order. One lawyer I spoke to claimed that even having a birthday celebration in the office could fall foul of age discrimination rules – never mind calling some an old git. Or indeed a young fool. Or a boring middle-aged… you get my drift. The trouble could extend even to people who just happened to be visiting the workplace – perhaps a postman or plumber. If they object to what is said then they might take the employer to an industrial tribunal and seek compensation.

In fact the implementation of the Equalities Act 2010 on Friday 1 October brings a lot of existing discrimination law together rather than enacting much that is new. But one interesting new principle is ‘association’. In the past it was unlawful to discriminate against someone on grounds, for example, of disability. But it was perfectly lawful to discriminate against a non-disabled employee who needed flexible working to care for someone who was disabled. But since a landmark case in the European Court that has also become unlawful – it is called the ‘association’ principle. And the Equalities Act makes it clear the same principle applies to all six of the protected characteristics. So, for example, an employee who needs time off to care for a relative who is very old but not disabled could now make a case under discrimination law if that request was unreasonably refused.

Nothing on this new law on the programme this week – but we will surely be returning to it on Money Box Live when we do rights at work and on Money Box when interesting cases come up. But what we are doing…

***…ON MONEY BOX THIS WEEK

There will be a few empty chairs in the studio tomorrow. Several people – four so far – have turned us down when we asked for an interview. Why people think it is better to sit schtum than to explain their policy/company/activity I have never understood. We’ll try not to leave any noticeable gaps!

If you are out of work and rely on the Department for Work and Pensions to pay the interest on your mortgage you are for a shock when your money arrives this week. The Department does not pay the actual interest. Instead it pays a fixed rate. Until last week that was 6.08%. Which clearly seems very high in today’s climate. So from Friday it was reduced to 3.63%. We get reaction to the change which will mean a cut of 40% in the money given to more than 200,000 low income households to pay for their mortgage..

A number of firms are springing up on the back of the PAYE errors made by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs after it admitted that more than 4 million people had paid too much tax in 2008/09 and 2009/10. They offer to help individuals find out if they have are one of the unlucky ones and then help them get any overpaid tax back. For a fee of course – a cut of the money which is recovered. Is there anything wrong with that?

The Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Charlie Bean, says savers should ‘dip into their savings’ and spend to help the economy. Two economists argue about whether he is right.

The newest High Street bank – Metro – faces its first customer complaint after one Money Box listener is stuck in America with a plastic card she cannot use despite assurances it would work. The Chief Executive defends himself.

And 19,000 people who invested via a company called KeyData into a Luxembourg company called Lifemark will get compensation – but no more than £48,000.

We will try to squeeze that lot in before the plug is pulled by the time lords of Radio 4. Find out if we manage it by tuning in just after noon on Saturday. Or hear the repeat at nine pm on Sunday. Or log on and listen anytime on our website www.bbc.co.uk/moneybox. There you can also read web pieces, download transcripts, follow links, and send us stories or ideas you want us to look into and Have Your Say on those no win, no fee tax back agents.

Best wishes,

Paul

PS don’t forget the programme trail on Breakfast on BBC 1 between 0845 and 0900 on Saturday.

e-mail Paul Lewis