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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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The latest news from the world of personal finance plus advice for those trying to make the most of their money.

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Money Box: Banks offer 'gambling block' for addicts

06/10/2018

Banks offer 'gambling block' for addicts

BBC Radio 4 - Money Box, Banks offer 'gambling block' for addicts

Thousands sign up to a new banking service to help control addiction

Tens of thousands of customers sign up to a new service to help problem gamblers control their addiction; Help to Buy; contingent charging & civil partnerships for mixed couples.

Tens of thousands of banking customers have signed up to a new service which helps problem gamblers control their addiction. Known as a ‘gambling block’ it is offered on the current accounts provided by two of the small, new challenger banks to prevent you making payments to gambling sites or betting shops. In just over three months more than 40,000 people have joined up. Now there are calls for the main five big high street banks to offer it to their millions of customers.

People who bought a home using the Government's Help to Buy scheme are being caught out by delays and extra costs when they try to remortgage. The Government lends buyers up to a fifth of the purchase price - up to two fifths in London. No interest is charged on the loan for the first five years. More and more people are now coming to the end of their five years and trying to move their mortgage to get a better rate but are running into difficulties.

This week the Financial Conduct Authority stepped back from banning the practice of contingent charging. It's one of the most controversial areas of pension transfer advice.  Mortgage advisers make money out of encouraging their clients to transfer money out of their pension scheme.  But if clients don't transfer then they don't have to pay anything to the adviser.  Critics say there is a risk of conflict of interest.

And civil partnerships are to be opened up to opposite sex couples. What are the financial implications of forming one?

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Producer: Alex Lewis
Editor: Richard Vadon

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