Fraud Crackdown and Is Cash King?
Summary
Moneybox investigates the effectiveness of new regulations designed to combat push payment fraud, examining initial reimbursement figures and real-life cases. The episode also delves into major UK pension funds' pledge to invest more in domestic private markets, discussing the potential risks and returns for savers. Finally, it provides crucial advice on extending child benefit for 16-year-olds and explores why carrying physical cash remains vital amidst increasing reliance on digital banking.Episode description
The fight against what is called push payment fraud - when victims are groomed and manipulated into transferring money to criminals - took a huge step forward in October when new regulations for banks and other finance companies were introduced to make the banks involved liable for the losses. It was the result of years of campaigning which Money Box has reported on from the very beginning. Now the first set of figures since then shows it is working better, but still not perfect. We'll hear from David Geale the Chief Executive of the Payment Systems Regulator.
This week, some of Britain's biggest pension funds have pledged to invest more of the money they look after into UK assets. Seventeen major workplace pension providers have signed the Mansion House Accord, a voluntary initiative which commits them to invest at least 10% of the pension funds into what it calls 'private markets' with half of that invested in the UK. The Treasury says this commitment will drive more investment into infrastructure and businesses, while driving higher returns for savers and reducing risk through diversified asset holdings. We'll speak to the Chief Executive of The People's Pension which is the UK's largest workplace pension fund.
If you get child benefit for a child aged 16 or over it will stop on 31 August unless you tell HMRC to continue paying it. What do you need to know?
And are we becoming too reliant on digital banking when we should all have some cash for emergencies?
Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth, Eimear Devlin and Catherine Lund Researcher: Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 17th May 2025)