On Your Behalf

By BBC Radio Ulster

What's On Your Behalf about?

Linda McAuley champions the cause of consumers in Northern Ireland, helping them to solve their problems, make the right choices and avoid the pitfalls - contact the show with your consumer and benefits queries: Write to: OYB

BBC

Ormeau Avenue

BELFAST

BT2 8HQ

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On Your Behalf episodes:

04.20.2024
Rates, Parenting and Policy
This week everything you ever wanted to know about your Rates bill but were afraid to ask. Sharon Magee, Chief Executive at Land & Property Services, explains all. If you are struggling to pay your rates bill there is...
04.13.2024
Careers, Childcare and Cash
There is still no sign of a Childcare strategy for Northern Ireland and we receive less government support for parents than anywhere else in the UK. Linda speaks to Casey McGivern from Melted Parents and Aoife Hamilton from Employers for...
04.06.2024
Property Management Companies, Carers and Passports
Simon Murray from The Law Society gives advice for people living in apartments and town houses that have communal areas like car parks and green areas. These are normally maintained by a management company but what happens if the company...
03.30.2024
Cars, Greenwashing and Helplines
On the programme this week - Everything you ever wanted to know about cars but were afraid to ask! Consumer guru and car aficianado Jimmy Hughes and Motor Ombudsman Bill Fennell talk to Linda about everything from wear and...
03.23.2024
Ageism, Taxes and Travel
The workplace has changed forever and employers now have to offer flexible working as part of the job. But are a new generation of workers missing out by working from home? Emily and Martin came to On Your Behalf...
03.16.2024
Helplines, Mediation and Cost of Living
This week we look at the cost of living. Research from the Consumer Council shows that half of Northern Ireland households have less than £90 per week after their essential spending costs. Was there any help in the budget? is...
03.09.2024
Money Matters
Money talks - money matters - money's tight. Linda talks to solicitor Karen Connolly about the financial realities for women when they divorce or come out of a long term relationship. James Jones and John Webb from Experian the Credit...
03.02.2024
Driving far & wide to get an MOT: but what happens if you need your car taxed?
Listener Hazel tells Linda McAuley about the stress of struggling to get an MOT test slot booked. And chief executive of DVA, Jeremy Logan, explains how his organisation is continuing to increase test capacity, and how a car owner can...
02.24.2024
Ageism, Money & Pensions
Do employers write off the over 60s who still want to work?
02.17.2024
Changing transport, Universal Credit, and bank accounts
A show about journeys. Two experts join Linda in the studio to discuss the continuing rollout of Universal Credit. We hear about the new integrated transport hub and how it will change journeys into and across the city of Belfast....
02.10.2024
Poverty, Pensions & Parking
As the final cost of living payment is sent out this week we bring you a tale of 2 Prime Ministers! Rishi Sunak says pressures are easing for families but Gordon Brown says the government has created obscene levels...
02.03.2024
Planes, Post Office and Debt
No trains or automobiles but we are talking a lot about Planes. The Consumer Council are in the studio to explain your rights when it all goes wrong. Debt continues to be a big problem amidst the cost of Living Crisis. Advice...
01.27.2024
Childcare Special
Today we're taking an in depth look at childcare in Northern Ireland and why we are losing out compared to the rest of the UK. We hear from childcare providers, parents and experts. And take an overview of the importance...
01.20.2024
Building Regulations, Broadband and Debt
Oil tanks – the saga continues as new building regulations might mean your tank needs to move. Blue Monday became Brew Monday last week and this week its Budget Monday. Linda talks to Christians Against Poverty about how they can...
01.13.2024
January Blues, Oil Tanks & Silver Surfers
Christmas is a distant memory and the nights are still dark and cold but is describing the start of next week as Blue Monday helpful? Fiona McClelland from The Samaritans tells Linda why they prefer Brew Monday with a cuppa...
01.06.2024
Tackling textiles, Plane Pains & Button Batteries
Tackling textiles, Plane Pains & Button Batteries
12.30.2023
What we've learned in 2023
The useful. The surprising. The vital - we're looking back at what we've learned in 2023
12.23.2023
Know your rights in case things go wrong over Christmas
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat ... but do you know for how long and at what temperature your dinner should be in the oven? Linda McAuley will be finding out from her guests how you can avoid...
12.16.2023
Scams, Smartphones and Safety
Tis the season to avoid the scammers! Linda looks at banking scams and the use of AI to make them more sophisticated. She talks to Tony Neate from Get Safe Online about how to shop safely for Christmas and avoid...
12.09.2023
Banks, Childcare and Pensions
Linda visits Kilkeel which has gone from a town with no banks to having a hub with a different bank there each day. And there are four more of these Banking Hubs planned for N Ireland. With the average cost...
12.02.2023
Floods, Christmas Shopping and Post
One month after devastating floods in Downpatrick Linda meets traders to see if they can get back to business in time for Christmas. Consumer guru Jimmy Hughes is in the studio with his list of Christmas do’s and don’ts and to...
11.25.2023
The Cost of Caring
Carers NI latest research shows that unpaid carers are saving the economy £5.8 billion a year. Linda looks at the research and talks to a woman who has been caring for her mother for thirty years. Simon Murray from the Law...
11.18.2023
Benefits, Borders and Black Friday
Universal credit – six benefits into one - affects hundreds of thousands of people in Northern Ireland. All those on legacy benefits are now being transferred. Linda visits Limavady Jobs and Benefits Office to see how the process works. Paddy...
11.11.2023
Food, Fuel and Flu Jabs
Winter is here and food and energy costs are still very high. Linda talks to Philippa Mckeown-Brown and Raymond Gormley from the Consumer Council about how to get the best deals possible. It’s flu season but take up of this...
11.04.2023
Floods and Insurance
After the devastation brought by flooding to many parts of Northern Ireland, Paul Hatty, spokesperson for The British Insurance Brokers Association, explains what insurance can and cannot do in regards to claims. He also has advice for a number of...
10.28.2023
Costly Caring, Banking Hubs and Digital Poverty
Your nearest bank is your Post Office , that's what it says on the bill hoardings! But is that enough to fill the gap when your bank shuts up shop? Linda visits a new banking hub in Holywood post office...
10.21.2023
Parenting, Tech Help and Travel
This week we look at the financial reality for single and separated parents. Linda joins Parenting NI at Stormont as they highlight the daily struggle faced by many. Have you heard of AbilityNet? We hadn't but it's a charity that provides...
10.14.2023
Universal Credit, Book Week and Conveyancing fees
The migration to Universal Credit is upon us and people on a range of benefits will be receiving letters to migrate to the new system. We ask Paddy Rooney, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Welfare and Benefits at the Dept for...
10.07.2023
Death, Deeds and Mental Health
Over a third of adults in the UK have no idea what kind of help is available when it comes to end of life care. Sara talks to Ciara Gallagher from Marie Curie about why we need to talk about...
09.30.2023
30/09/2023
Linda McAuley champions the cause of consumers in Northern Ireland, helping them to solve their problems, make the right choices and avoid the pitfalls - contact the show with your consumer and benefits queries: Write to: OYB BBC Ormeau Avenue BELFAST BT2 8HQ
09.23.2023
Landlines, Childcare and Cancer
We're talking about the move from landlines to Digital Voice BT's new digital phone service. Linda visits the BT roadshow to find out what happens if there's a power cut or if you have a personal safety or burglar alarm. We're talking...
09.16.2023
Ageism, Landlines and Car Hire Woes.
The Car hire traps that can cost you thousands of pounds – if you are 59 minutes lates then they can cancel your booking. Linda talks to Guy Hobbs from Consumer group Which. She also joins the Commissioner for Older People...
09.09.2023
Caravans, Consumer Woes and Tax Refunds
The Leaky Caravan that didn't do well during the wettest July on record, the listener still being charged for a bed that was never delivered and the tax refund that shrank when an online firm got involved. Also can a...
09.02.2023
Back to School, Flight Chaos and 90s Broadband
Its back to school this week with School uniforms, mobile phones and everything in between - it all adds up to a big bill for parents. Siobhan Harding from the Womens Support Network and Matt Cole from Advice NI join Linda...
08.26.2023
Gone fishing, breaking down in England, and a Child Benefit deadline
Some anglers at Loughgall Country Park aren't happy with changes that mean going fishing can't be a spontaneous decision but now needs 48 hours notice to access the lakeside. If you break down on the side of the road in...
08.19.2023
The tool library
Linda McAuley hears about a library that can help your next DIY job. What financial pressures are parents under with uniforms and other charges in the run up to schools going back? A listener's car was recalled with an airbag...
08.12.2023
Student Special
Linda McAuley is joined by a panel from Further and Higher Education colleges, and from Housing Rights, to discuss the options facing students who are hoping to enter third level education in September. How does clearing work? What pitfalls should...
08.05.2023
Post Offices, ‘Sensory Xperience’ and E-Bike Fires
The changing face of The Post Office as they move from stand alone buildings on the high street to being incorporated into filling stations and local shops. A new ‘Sensory Xperience’ for autistic children and adults has opened in Armagh....
07.29.2023
Ferries, Flights and Flexible Working
Richard Williams from the Consumer Council explains your rights whether you're travelling by ferry or flight. Sinéad Campbell from Advice N.I. has some financial advice for parents struggling through the school holidays. Mark McAllister from the Labour Relations Agency explains...
07.22.2023
Electric Cars, Ticket Insurance and Flight Fraud
Consumer guru Jimmy Hughes responds to listeners' problems, including claiming insurance for concert tickets that couldn't be used, the flights to Uganda that seemed too good to be true, and when the brakes came off a golf trolley. Also, guidance...
07.15.2023
Holiday Special
ABTA rep and travel agent Sandra Corkin is in the studio to give expert holiday advice. Paul Hatty explains the ins and outs of travel insurance, Rob Staines has some "holiday hacks", consumer champion Lady Janey on the benefits of...
07.08.2023
Mobile Roaming, Autism and Phantom Tolls
Linda visits Positive Futures in Bangor to find out why 78 percent of adults with autism can’t find meaningful employment. Since Brexit most phone companies have reintroduced roaming and its now affecting lots of people in border areas of Northern Ireland....
07.01.2023
Mortgage Woes, Wills and Complaints
This week Linda talks to financial adviser Alice Gavin as interest rates for fixed rate mortgages hit 6 percent. Glynis Hobson tells Linda about co-ownership if you cant afford to buy a house on your own. With many pensioners facing retirement...
06.24.2023
Universal Credit & Gas Prices
Universal Credit & Gas Prices
06.10.2023
Data Leaks, Carpets and Cars
As hackers steal payroll data from companies across the UK, Linda asks Tony Neate from Get Safe Online how to protect yourself from scammers. Jimmy Hughes is back to answer consumer queries on everything from carpets to cars and even...
06.03.2023
Energy Prices, Buses and Benefits
Energy prices are going up yet the wholesale costs are coming down. Energy regulator John French tells Linda why and what to expect over the next few months. A number of changes to benefits come in this month - Matt Cole...
05.27.2023
Childcare, Mortgages and Rental Rights.
Linda talks about the government’s baby blind spot with Becca Harper from pressure group Melted Parents. Financial Adviser Alice Gavin talks about budgeting and mortgages. And as rents rise faster here than anywhere else in the UK, Stephen Morrison from...
04.27.2023
Episode 5 - Sweden
Every week On Your Behalf hears about problems people in Northern Ireland are having with broadband, travel, scams, banks, shopping and more. Everything from getting a refund for a cancelled flight, to making a complaint about a product or a...
04.27.2023
Episode 4 - South Africa
Every week On Your Behalf hears about problems people in Northern Ireland are having with broadband, travel, scams, banks, shopping and more. Everything from getting a refund for a cancelled flight, to making a complaint about a product or a...
04.27.2023
Episode 3 - Canada
Every week On Your Behalf hears about problems people in Northern Ireland are having with broadband, travel, scams, banks, shopping and more. Everything from getting a refund for a cancelled flight, to making a complaint about a product or a...

What's On Your Behalf about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

On Your Behalf episodes:

Rates, Parenting and Policy

Careers, Childcare and Cash

Property Management Companies, Carers and Passports

Cars, Greenwashing and Helplines

Ageism, Taxes and Travel

Helplines, Mediation and Cost of Living

Money Matters

Driving far & wide to get an MOT: but what happens if you need your car taxed?

Ageism, Money & Pensions

Changing transport, Universal Credit, and bank accounts

Poverty, Pensions & Parking

Planes, Post Office and Debt

Childcare Special

Building Regulations, Broadband and Debt

January Blues, Oil Tanks & Silver Surfers

Tackling textiles, Plane Pains & Button Batteries

What we've learned in 2023

Know your rights in case things go wrong over Christmas

Scams, Smartphones and Safety

Banks, Childcare and Pensions

Floods, Christmas Shopping and Post

The Cost of Caring

Benefits, Borders and Black Friday

Food, Fuel and Flu Jabs

Floods and Insurance

Costly Caring, Banking Hubs and Digital Poverty

Parenting, Tech Help and Travel

Universal Credit, Book Week and Conveyancing fees

Death, Deeds and Mental Health

30/09/2023

Landlines, Childcare and Cancer

Ageism, Landlines and Car Hire Woes.

Caravans, Consumer Woes and Tax Refunds

Back to School, Flight Chaos and 90s Broadband

Gone fishing, breaking down in England, and a Child Benefit deadline

The tool library

Student Special

Post Offices, ‘Sensory Xperience’ and E-Bike Fires

Ferries, Flights and Flexible Working

Electric Cars, Ticket Insurance and Flight Fraud

Holiday Special

Mobile Roaming, Autism and Phantom Tolls

Mortgage Woes, Wills and Complaints

Universal Credit & Gas Prices

Data Leaks, Carpets and Cars

Energy Prices, Buses and Benefits

Childcare, Mortgages and Rental Rights.

Episode 5 - Sweden

Episode 4 - South Africa

Episode 3 - Canada