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Is it time to admit that 'free banking' doesn't really exist, and to start paying for our accounts? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Helen Crane discuss this, plus: the plans which wise parents are making to deal with the prospect of VAT on private school fees, if Labour wins the next election, and how to find a trustworthy adviser. Also — Helen Crane investigates a car sold with a significant fault.

Banks have come into the firing line this week over current account closures and slowness to pass on base rate rises to savers. Nigel Farage claims his bank shut his current account over his Brexit views – the former politician has been vocal on Twitter about his treatment by Coutts, while the exclusive bank with a high net wealth clientele has fired back. So, can banks realistically do that to you? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce tell you all the reasons your bank can close your current account – and what to do if it happen to you. And on the same day big bank bosses faced a grilling from the FCA about paying savers fairly, Lloyds, Halifax and HSBC hike rates – coincidence? Savings deals have been rocketing in recent months, experts give their views on whether we’re at a peak – or if there is further still to go for savers. With savings rates rising, many are questioning whether to bother investing - one think-tank reckons Britons are ploughing far too much into cash instead of investing. How do the figures stack up? And finally… would you pay into your partner’s pension? A spouse can pay into their partner's pension while they are not working to ensure they do not miss out financially in later life, but is it a wise move?

Murmurs from HSBC HQ this week warned that an overhaul of its business model could leave customers paying a monthly fee for their current accounts. This week, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost ask whether this is really a possibility, if banking actually is free anyway and what happens next. We also look at who is winning the battle of current account switchers and whether people are just too loyal to their bank. This weekend marks the end of the furlough scheme, replaced by something new – while other financial support is also changing, including free overdrafts and mortgage payment holidays. What impact did the second wave fear and upcoming US election have on the stock market this week? Bitcoin has seen a surge in price this week, what has behind its rise to the highest level since the crazy end of 2017? And boilers – one reader has been told that their 28 year model is too ancient to service. Is this a fair call?

Are tax returns too taxing, why did new overdraft rules backfire, are challenger banks biting and what are the cars that hold their value best? We answer these questions on this week’s This is Money podcast. It’s tax return time. The organised will have safely filed their tax returns long ago, but there are still plenty of people who don’t yet feel the last minute has arrived. But what if you are meant to fill in a tax return and don’t realise? On this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost discuss the ten reasons that people may have to fill a tax return in, even though they are employees paid through PAYE. The team also discuss whether much of the tax return is really needed, or whether people are needlessly spending time filling in an over complicated form for an overly complex system. Also on this week’s podcast is the overdraft row that’s blown up on the back of the FCA’s attempt to improve borrowing and bank’s deciding that 39.9 per cent rates sounded about right. The team discuss whether the challenger banks are starting to bite and why people are attracted to them. And finally, Simon tells us about the new episode of the Making the Money Work podcast with London 2012 Olympic-medal winning boxer Anthony Ogogo.

Welcome to the This is Money Show on Share Radio, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. The starting gun was finally pulled on Brexit negotiations this week with the triggering of Article 50. What will the two years bring for markets and how will it hit UK consumers? So far the previous gloomy forecasts of the Bank of England have been replaced by warnings of high consumer spending and growing household debt. Making sense of what all this means for the pound in our pockets Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Reporter Rebecca Rutt. Plus this week find out just what the price sweet spot is for the perfect bottle of wine.

Welcome to the This is Money Show on Share Radio, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. After its controversial announcement last week Philip Hammond has finally had to U-turn on national insurance hikes in an attempt to win back public trust. Whilst the Budget provoked considerable backlash less publicised has been changes in road tax coming in April which will see some drivers paying as much as seven times more. Meanwhile across the pond the US Fed has raised interest rates with attention now turning to what the Bank of England will do next. Speculating on where all this leaves our finances Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Personal Finance Editor Rachel Rickard Straus. Plus is a castle, a Star Wars themed cinema and beer Fridays really what it takes to be named Britain’s best boss? This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio Podcast, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. It’s been a mixed week of results for the banks with HSBC seeing sliding profits whilst Lloyds has undergone something of a comeback with a rebounding share price. Is it fair for HSBC to point the finger at market conditions or does the success of its rivals prove it’s scapegoating? Meanwhile we’re also seeing a divide among savers as the gap between the richest and poorest households grows. Looking through the figures Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce. Plus we look at the domestic challenges for the UK car industry and find out how to spot a rare coin.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio Podcast, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. We’ve had a few stats to digest this week with inflation continuing to rise, now up 1.8%, whilst employment remains at record highs according to the ONS. Behind the figures though we’re hearing much of this is based on freelance and zero-hours work with both salaries and interest rates failing to keep pace with the cost of living. With all this spelling disaster for savers there’s been a few interesting additions to Money Mail’s Best Buy table this week. Joining Georgie Frost to go through the options is Editor Simon Lambert and Personal Finance Editor Rachel Rickard Straus. Plus, we take a look at the new rate hikes threatening the future of small businesses and the costs of bereavement.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. It’s been another Super Thursday for the Bank of England as Mark Carney announced upgraded growth forecasts whilst still clinging doggedly to a rock bottom base rate. So good news or bad news? Despite the Governor’s optimism some are warning of a general slowdown to come which will hit the poorest households hardest, particularly given the lack of people able to save at the moment. Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce to consider some of new alternative investments available from mini-bonds to a new high street peer to peer lender. Plus we find out where money’s really made with a look inside the Royal Mint. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.

Welcome to the This is Money and Share Radio podcast, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. We’re still on course for Brexit, albeit pending Parliament’s approval. Already a number of banks seem intent on following through on their threats to relocate jobs, but what about the local branches already shutting down across the UK? Meanwhile the FTSE continues to soar on the back of the slumping pound but questions remain as to the underlying health of the UK economy. Inflation also looks set to rise as does national debt although the latest GDP figures do offer some good news at least. To discuss how people can save and invest for the turbulent times ahead Georgie Frost is joined in the studio by Editor Simon Lambert and Deputy Editor Adrian Lowrey. Plus just when BT thought their problems couldn’t get any worse we’ll be announcing the results of the annual Money Mail Wooden Spoon Awards. This is Money is presented by Georgie Frost in partnership with NS&I.