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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: Broadband and the costs of being disabled

Broadband and the costs of being disabled

BBC Radio 4 - Money Box, Broadband and the costs of being disabled

Regulator calls for broadband providers to 'think carefully' about increasing prices.

What's it like trying to pay for energy bills when you're disabled?

Broadband providers have been told by the regulator Ofcom to 'think carefully' before making significant price rises.  Most providers of telecoms and broadband raise their prices each spring in line with inflation plus three or four percentage points. That means some firms could put up prices by 16% next year - an extra £5 a month in some cases, and most have yet to confirm their plans.  

Stories of economic turmoil and falling share prices have led many investors to wonder what they can do about their investments. Especially when they get financial statements telling them the value of their pension fund or savings have fallen sharply.  We'll speak to Kirsty Stone who's an independent financial adviser at The Private Office about that.

The government has recently been encouraging claims for what is called Pension Credit - a top-up to the state pension for people aged 66 or more whose income is low. In June, the Department for Work and Pensions held its annual Pension Credit Day of Action to encourage people to claim this benefit. But has it been too successful? The Department says applications are at an all-time high but some listeners are telling us they're experiencing long delays.

And, what's it like trying to pay for energy bills when you're disabled.  We'll hear from a woman with cerebral palsy who's got £5,000 of energy debt.

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Sarah Rogers
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Star McFarlane
Editor: Jess Quayle

(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 29th October, 2022)

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