BBC Money Box

Teacher's Pension Delays and Best Savings Rates

Loading player...
The National Union of Headteachers says the government "must step in" to help teachers in England and Wales who have retired but are facing long delays before their pension is paid. The Teachers' Pension Scheme is one of the biggest in the country with two million members. The Department for Education which has overall responsibility for the scheme says it’s working closely with Capita who administrate the pensions to monitor performance and address any emerging issues. Capita has apologised and says it's working closely with the government to ensure cases are progressed correctly and in line with scheme rules.

In the last month average two year fixed mortgage rates have jumped from around 4.8% to 5.9% and there are around 1 in 6 fewer mortgages deals available to house buyers and people whose fixed mortgages are running out. How is that affecting the housing market?

Mortgage rates going up is bad news but when interest rates rise savers, who far outnumber people with mortgages, many see it as better news. What are the best offers out there?

And what does the lifting of the two-child benefit cap mean for families? 

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Hannah Mullane and Jo Krasner
Researcher: Catherine Lund
Editor: Jess Quayle
Senior News Editor: Henry Jones

(First broadcast on Radio 4 at 12pm on Saturday 11th April 2026)
9 May English United Kingdom Business

Other recent episodes

NS&I Delays and Youth Unemployment

Some bereaved listeners whose relatives had money put away with National Savings and Investments are facing weeks and months of delay in getting their own money. It comes as NS&I works to track down the accounts of tens of thousands of people who had died, after it admitted keeping nearly…
30 May 24 min

Renters and Landlords: Your Questions Answered

A huge amount is about to change for anyone who rents their home or who owns a rental property in England. The Renters' Rights Act comes into force on May 1 and there's a lot in it, from ending so-called 'no fault' evictions to limits on rent increases. It will…
27 May 29 min

Renters Rights, Energy Fixing and the £5k Typo

In just a few days time the biggest shake up to renters rights in a generation will come into force in England. It will mean no more than one rent increase a year, an end to bidding wars an end to no fault evictions. The Renters' Rights Act will significantly…
23 May 25 min

Money Box Live: Your Summer Holidays

Are you worried about whether the global disruption could affect your global travel plans? Whether you've booked a foreign trip, are planning a staycation or simply unsure of what to do, this is the programme for you. Holidays may not be the most important thing in the world, especially when…
20 May 28 min

Energy Bill Fear and Council Tax Arrears

Are we at the start of a deepening cost of living crisis as nearly half of all adults fear they might not be able afford their energy bills? And from next year, councils in England will be banned from demanding householders pay their council tax in full if they are…
16 May 24 min
All episodes