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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?

Adam Cox is joined by Tim Coates, founder of Oxbury Bank, to look at how finance can help to tackle the climate crisis and how Brits can make greener choices when it comes to their banking. They look out how carbon offsetting works in banking, and Tim advises on how Oxbury Bank is working to help their customers reduce their impact on the environment. https://www.oxbury.com

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.

In the latest Money Makers podcast, host Jonathan Davis is joined by technology specialist Ben Rogoff, the lead manager of the Polar Capital Technology investment trust, which has given shareholders a total return of more than 200% over the last five years. With the likes of Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Netflix leading the markets higher, how much more is there still to come from these global IT stocks? Is there a danger of another TMT-style market crash or a regulatory kickback? And where are the most exciting prospects in other technology fields, such as gaming, robotics and artificial intelligence?

Last month, Transport for London announced it was withdrawing ride-hailing firm Uber’s license to operate in the capital. Despite complaints over passenger safety and poor treatment of drivers, many Londoners came to Uber’s defence, valuing its convenience. But what if we could build something better than Uber – something that is just as convenient and competitive on price, but treats its passengers and drivers with respect? This week host Ayeisha Thomas-Smith is joined by NEF’s Principal Director for Unions and Business, Stefan Baskerville, and researcher Duncan McCann.

Welcome to the This is Money Show on Share Radio, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. It’s the start of a new financial year and with it a number of new tax changes and price hikes. Taking an Easter themed look through what all this means for the pound in your pocket Georgie Frost is joined by Personal Finance Editor Rachel Rickard Straus and Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce. Plus we put the biggest retailers to the test with the annual Easter taste test.

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.

This week Georgie Frost is joined by product researcher Adam Williams and web manager Gary Adams to look through the top financial stories from the Moneywise magazine. This week they look at the new addition to the Isa family, the Lisa. What are the pros and cons and will your bank even be able to offer you one? Plus find out if there're any savings accounts left capable to beating inflation and why Waitrose is leaving many customers disappointed.