Money Matters Norwich

In this edition of Money Matters, Sarah Jones, Sales Director at Norfolk-based MCB FS Consulting, explains the financial support available to start-ups, sole traders and small businesses. The conversation covers business finance, cash flow, commercial mortgages, insurance, pensions, business valuations and grants, as well as the importance of regularly reviewing the financial arrangements already in place.

Livvy Hanks, Executive Director of Norwich-based community energy organisation Our Power, discusses the removal of VAT from electricity bills and practical ways households can reduce their energy costs. The conversation covers smart meters, heating controls, heat pumps, solar panels, available financial support and simple ways to keep homes cooler during hot weather.

In this edition of Money Matters, Ben Merritt, Head of Mortgage Pricing at Santander, explains how mortgages work and discusses the current UK mortgage market. The conversation covers interest rates, affordability checks, low-deposit mortgages, common reasons applications are declined, support for first-time buyers and how technology could improve the home-buying process.

Making a ‘Last Will and Testament’ is the only certain way for you to dictate who benefits from your money and possessions when you die, and a Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to elect trusted individuals to act on your behalf should you lose capacity to make your decisions because of an accident or health condition. Stuart Burrell of Heritage Wills came into our studios to discuss these important life actions...

Guest: Stuart Burrell - Heritage Wills
Interviewed by David Palmer
More information: www.heritagewills.co.uk

As widely feared, the cost of home energy will increase significantly from July as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, so Christopher Remer looks at several ways customers can reduce the impact of this increase on their home energy bills, plus we take another look at the Student Loan scheme which we discussed with local students in last months Money Matters but which is now the subject of a parliamentary review…

Guest: Christopher Remer - Future Projects
Interviewed by David Palmer
Norfolk Support: www.futureprojects.org.uk

At this time of year a lot young people are preparing to end their time at 6th form with many deciding to go on to further education at college or university.

Student Loans from the Student Loans Company is the traditional way to fund student course tuition fees and day to day living, but it has had a mixed press recently so we thought it would make a good subject to explore on Money Matters.

More information:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/student-loans-company

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

Guests: Caitlin Elliot and Joe Bird - Former Students, now with Future Radio

Interviewed by David Palmer

As April 6th marked the start of the new Fiscal year we take a look at some of the many changes which may affect you in a better - or worse - way, and also at some of the global issues which look like they are going to make the cost of living even more challenging than it has been…

More information: www.futureprojects.org.uk

Guest: Christopher Remer - Future Projects

Interviewed by David Palmer

Over a million people in England are thought to be in debt to a loan shark! The England Illegal Money Lending Team IMLT (also known as Stop Loan Sharks) was created in September 2004 to investigate and prosecute illegal lenders and support borrowers. To date, the team has made nearly 900 arrests and secured over 400 successful prosecutions, with illegal lenders locked up for a total of more than 614 years. More than £92 million in illegal debt has been written off, and around 33,000 borrowers have been supported.
In this interview David Palmer talks to Cath Wohlers of Stop Loan Sharks and finds out how to spot an illegal money lender, what to do if you are already in debt to a loan shark, and talk about legitimate alternatives to borrow money.

More information: www.stoploansharks.co.uk

Guest: Cath Wohlers - Operations Manager at England Illegal Money Lending Team
Interviewed by David Palmer

With global tensions, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, we are seeing the knock-on effects on energy prices, transport costs and food bills, and even mortgage payments and borrowing costs – but what does that actually mean for people here in Norwich and across Norfolk?
David Palmer talked to Norwich Today presenter Henry Miller to find out more.

More information: www.futureprojects.org.uk

Guest: Henry Miller - Norwich Today presenter
Interviewed by David Palmer

ProspHER aim to unite women from all parts of the world – connecting, supporting, and educating – to help them achieve the best possible life in their professional and personal lives.
As well as talking about the general aims of ProspHER, Events Director Katie Oman talked to David Palmer about the Spark project coming to Norwich which aims to help women build financial confidence, connection, and control.

More information: www.prospher.co.uk

Katie Oman - Events Director, ProspHER
Interviewed by David Palmer