The action taken on climate change over the next decade will radically shape the health of the planet for generations. COP26, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties happening in Glasgow in November 2021, aims to help us rise to that challenge together. On this episode Andrea Fox is joined by Kaisie Rayner, Climate Change Lead at Royal London, who tells us all about COP26, why it’s such a crucial event for climate change and what it’s got to do with finance.

How can you find more information?

Get more information on COP26, including the key goals and ambitions and programme of events, on the official conference website: ukcop26.org

Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances. The value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you could get back less than you pay in. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording.

People often assume that their pensions just sit there. But they’re invested for us – and, when invested responsibly, they can be used to help us move to a more sustainable world. On this episode Andrea Fox speaks to Ashley Hamilton Claxton, Head of Responsible Investment for Royal London Asset Management, about all things responsible investment – what it is, why it’s important and how it can play a role in helping us to tackle big global issues like climate change.

How can you find more information?

Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances. The value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you could get back less than you pay in. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording.

For people living with a disability, their condition can often affect them financially, as well as physically or mentally. While there’s support available for those that need it, with so many benefits and information out there, it can be confusing to work out what you might be entitled to and how to apply. On this episode Andrea Fox joins the MS Society’s Benefits Advisor, Bez Ely, and Head of Policy, Phillip Anderson, to discuss how having a disability can impact someone financially and how to find the right support.

How can you find more information?

Information on benefits

Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits

Benefits and grants entitlement

Turn2us Benefits Calculator: benefits-calculator-2.turn2us.org.uk

Benefits appeals

GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision

Employee rights

ACAS: www.acas.org.uk/advice

Support for travel

Motability: www.motability.org.uk

Useful helplines

MS Society: www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/ms-helpline

MS Society resources

Financial help: www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/financial-help

This episode was recorded in July 2021 during the coronavirus outbreak. For the latest information on financial support and benefits, visit gov.uk/coronavirus.

Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording.

The past year has seen many people reassess their career options, and potentially think about starting a business themselves. But what are some of the things you might need to consider before taking the plunge? On this episode Andrea Fox speaks to Dan Moosah, founder of keepemquiet.com, a company that creates entertainment packs for children, about all things business – from side hustles, choosing a partner and developing a product, to funding, risks and hidden costs.

How can you find more information?

• UK: www.gov.uk/browse/business/setting-up

This episode was recorded in July 2021 during the coronavirus outbreak. For the latest information on financial support and benefits, visit gov.uk/coronavirus.

Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording.

For most of us, when we think about finance, we might consider what products we need or how to save for that big purchase. But in this month’s episode Andrea Fox speaks to Royal London’s Sarah Pennells, a personal finance expert and broadcaster, about why it’s time to think differently about our finances and what we want from them. We explore how we can both save for the future and invest responsibly, helping us to build financial resilience as well as a better and more sustainable world to live in.  

How can you find more information?

Responsible investing

• Royal London: royallondon.com/mutuality/together-for-good

Climate change and net zero

• United Nations, Race To Zero: https://unfccc.int/climate-action/race-to-zero-campaign

Pensions

• Pension Wise: pensionwise.gov.uk

Case studies

• Royal London: royallondon.com/pensions/investment-options/investing-responsibly/case-studies

This episode was recorded in June 2021 during the coronavirus outbreak. For the latest information on financial support and benefits, visit gov.uk/coronavirus.

Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording.

For many countries around the world, June marks PRIDE month. In this episode we find out why PRIDE month and the events associated with it are still so important and touching on some of the financial issues and barriers faced by the LGBT+ community.

How can you find more information?

LGBT Foundation: https://lgbt.foundation

Stonewall: www.stonewall.org.uk

Mind Out: https://mindout.org.uk

Albert Kennedy Trust: https://www.akt.org.uk

General information and guidance

• Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/insurance/insurance

Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording.

From life insurance and income protection to critical illness cover, protection insurance can be a great way to help to protect your financial future or that of your loved ones. But how do we work out what cover is right for us? On this episode Andrea Fox speaks to Kara Gammell, award-winning personal finance journalist and founder of money-saving blog ‘Your Best Friend's Guide to Cash’ to find out everything you need to know.

How can you find more information?

Life insurance

• Do you need life insurance: moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/do-you-need-life-insurance

Income protection insurance

• Do you need income protection insurance: moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/do-you-need-income-protection-insurance

Critical illness cover

• Do you need critical illness cover: moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/critical-illness-insurance-do-you-need-it

General information and guidance

• Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/insurance/insurance

This episode was recorded in March 2021 during the coronavirus outbreak. For the latest information on financial support and benefits, visit gov.uk/coronavirus.

Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording.

There’s a lot to think about when you buy a property, from mortgages and deposits to homebuying schemes and hidden costs. This month Andrea Fox joins Andy Webb, broadcaster, money expert and founder of personal finance blog Be Clever With Your Cash, to find out everything you need to know.

How can you find more information?

HomeOwners Alliance: hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-buying/the-hoa-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-home

Money Advice Service: moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/saving-money-for-a-deposit

GOV.UK: gov.uk/lifetime-isa

Money Advice Service: moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-to-improve-your-credit-rating

Help to Buy: helptobuy.gov.uk/help-to-buy-isa/how-does-it-work

Shared Ownership: helptobuy.gov.uk/shared-ownership

Equity Loans: helptobuy.gov.uk/equity-loan/equity-loans

Money Advice Service: moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/mortgages

Royal London: royallondon.com/about-us/members/understanding-your-finances/your-personal-finances/the-hidden-costs-of-buying-a-house

GOV.UK: gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax

In celebration of International Women’s Day, host Andrea Fox joins working parents and comedy duo The Scummy Mummies, also known as Helen Thorn and Ellie Gibson, and Helen Morrissey, a personal finance expert from Royal London. In this episode, we discuss some of the challenges of being a woman in the workplace, as well as the impact of being a parent on your career and finances.

How can you find more information?

Royal London recommends you seek professional independent financial advice before making financial decisions. You can learn more about the value of financial advice on our website, or visit Unbiased to find a trusted professional in your area.

You can also find lots of helpful information on some of the topics discussed on the following sites:

Employment and flexible working

Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/work-and-redundancy

Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/flexible-working/flexible-working-what-is-it

Career planning

National Careers Service: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk

Family financial planning

Royal London: www.royallondon.com/media/good-with-your-money-guides/family-financial-planning

Maternity leave and pay

Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/maternity-pay-and-leave

Returning to work

Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/know-your-rights-when-you-go-back-to-work-after-having-a-baby

Financial support for parents

GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting/financial-help-children

Turn2us: www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Beginner-s-Guide-to-Benefits/Checking-benefit-entitlement

This episode was recorded in February 2021 during the coronavirus outbreak. For the latest information on financial support and benefits, visit gov.uk/coronavirus.

Please note that all topics discussed in this episode can vary depending on your personal circumstances. Any figures quoted were accurate at the time of recording.

Millions of people are affected by financial fraud and scams every year – whether it’s online, over the phone, by post or in person. In this episode, host Andrea Fox speaks to Marilyn Baldwin OBE, founder of Think Jessica, about how we can spot financial scams and protect ourselves from them. Marilyn spent five years trying to help her elderly mother Jessica who fell victim to numerous scammers and set up Think Jessica, an organisation committed to protecting people from financial fraud, shortly after she died.

How can you find more information?

General information and support

Think Jessica: www.thinkjessica.com

Take Five: takefive-stopfraud.org.uk

Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/scams

Royal London: www.royallondon.com/media/good-with-your-money-guides/avoiding-scams

Preventing postal fraud

Mail Preference Service: www.mpsonline.org.uk

Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/post/stop-getting-junk-mail

Preventing telephone fraud

Telephone Preference Service: www.tpsonline.org.uk

Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/phone-internet-downloads-or-tv/stop-getting-nuisance-calls-and-texts

Preventing online fraud

Nation Cyber Security Centre: www.ncsc.gov.uk

Reporting a scam

Action Fraud: www.actionfraud.police.uk

This episode was recorded in January 2021 during the coronavirus outbreak. For the latest information on financial support and benefits, visit gov.uk/coronavirus.