The Report

The economy of Cyprus is in jeopardy following a banking crisis in which savers have seen millions of euros in deposits wiped out of existence. How did it come to this? The Russians have been blamed for using the island as a tax haven and damaging relations with the EU. But, as Simon Cox discovers, the real problem with the system was much closer to home.

Simon Cox finds out from employees and executives at the now defunct Laiki Bank how billions handed out in bad loans created a financial time-bomb that has destroyed a nation's hopes.

Producer: Anna Meisel.

Bulgarian and Romanian citizens will have the same rights to work in the UK as other EU nationals from next year. Victoria Derbyshire investigates how prepared the government is for a new influx of migrants and asks what the stories of those who've already made the move tell us about what may happen in 2014.

Reporter: Victoria Derbyshire

It can begin with a simple text inviting you to release money from an old pension before you are fifty five, the earliest age at which you can officially access your money. People in financial difficulties may be tempted to sign up, but will they ever see their money again?

Claims have recently re-emerged that thousands of construction workers have been turned down for jobs because of a 'blacklist' secretly run by a company called the Consulting Association and funded by some of the largest construction companies in the country.

In December last year the Consulting Association's Chief Officer gave compelling evidence to an on-going investigation by the Scottish Affairs Committee. During nearly four hours of evidence he revealed how potential employees on projects ranging from Millennium Dome to the Olympics were checked against the blacklist he held. Shortly afterwards he died, raising fears that he has taken secrets to the grave.

In this edition of the Report Simon Cox talks to the bookkeeper of the Consulting Association in her first ever broadcast interview. He examines evidence suggesting that union representatives may have "liaised" with contractors to blacklist workers from construction jobs. And he investigates claims that the Information Commissioner failed to collect all the evidence during a raid in 2009.

With the recent collapse of several top retail brands, Jenny Chryss reports on the behind-the-scenes battles to save some of the High Street's best known names. And she examines the knock-on effects on other businesses. Why does the law allow some creditors to get back millions of pounds, while others will get nothing?

Producer: Emma Forde

Algerian Siege: What really went on at the In Amenas gas field in Algeria?

In the early morning of January 16th the seven hundred staff at In Amenas gas field in the Sahara desert were getting ready for work. But at around 0530 a gang of armed jihadists stormed the accommodation complex and held many of the staff hostage in a siege that lasted four days.

This programme examines how this security breach could have happened and hears of security concerns from those working at the facility. We speak with men who were taken hostage who describe their ordeal and eventual escapes.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb are the terrorist group who have claimed responsibility for the kidnappings but who makes up this group and how do they operate in the wider Sahara region? A Canadian diplomat who was kidnapped in 2008 by the same terrorists gives us his original insight into the group's motivations.

Reporter: Simon Cox

Phil Kemp examines the Police Federation of England and Wales and its role in what has become known as "Plebgate", leading to the downfall of a cabinet Minister.

Simon Cox first reported on LIBOR manipulation last July when he investigated Barclays' role following the substantial fine it was forced to pay be regulators. As more banks are embroiled in the scandal he asks what impact the growing number of legal cases might have on bank profitability, whether financial regulation can stop abuses happening in the future and how many more banking fines are to follow.

Rail passengers are again facing inflation-busting fare rises on what is often described as has one of the most expensive rail systems in Europe. But despite the level of investment that's taking place in Britain's rail network, punctuality targets on the long-distance routes are being missed. In the West Midlands, trains haven't been turning up because of hundreds of cancellations in recent months. Reporter Jenny Chryss investigates whether rail passengers are getting value for money.

After a year marked by new revelations and allegations about the scale of historic child abuse in England and Wales, Simon Cox asks whether there are lessons in the way other countries have tackled the problem. In Northern Ireland victims from across the province have begun giving testimony to an independent inquiry panel and in Scotland there are also plans for a national hearing to take evidence from residents of children's homes across the country. In the Irish Republic, as long ago as 1999, the Prime Minister apologised on behalf of the State and set up a redress board to make pay-outs to victims of abuse. But there are complaints there from those who felt it didn't go far enough and from others worried about the way costs quickly spiralled. So should there be, as some argue, a comprehensive nation-wide inquiry in England and Wales? Would it just re-open old wounds or is a truth and reconciliation process necessary to learn the lessons of the past and protect children in the future?