BBC Money Box

Energy Bill Fear and Council Tax Arrears

Loading player...
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 only late with one payment.

HMRC warns of scammers as it begins taking back Winter Fuel Payment from more than two million higher income pensioners.

Also, the rise of the poly worker. Why young people are fixing their sights on a portfolio career.

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Niamh McDermott
Researcher: Jo Krasner
Editor: Rob Cave
Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson

(First broadcast Saturday 18th April 2026)
16 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

Money Box Live: How to Handle Global Shocks

The conflict in Iran has very grave human costs for the Middle East. But it also has economic costs and they are being felt around the world and here in the UK. Just this week the Resolution Foundation think tank said higher energy bills could mean typical British households are…
13 May 28 min
All episodes