Age discrimination

BBC Radio 4's Money Box Saturday 8 July, 1204 BST Sunday 9 July, 2102 BST On Radio 4 and online Programme transcript

A legal challenge is being made to the government's new age discrimination measures which begin in October.

The new legislation allows people to request to work beyond 65 but employers do not have to give a reason for refusal.

The Heyday group, part of Age Concern, says this contravenes European equal rights law.

The government has 21 days in to respond to Heyday's application to the High Court.

We got a statement from the government and spoke to Andrew Harrop, policy manager for Heyday, and John Cridland, deputy director general of the CBI.

Have Your Say: Age discrimination

Further information:

High Court challenge to age laws

External links and helplines

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Pension deal

If it goes wrong will the Pension Protection Fund have to pay up?

One of the UK's largest pension schemes has struck a controversial deal with the Pensions Regulator freeing it from its pension liabilities after six years.

The Kvaerner pension fund - owned by TH Global - has about 32,000 members and has been struggling with a funding deficit of about £250m.

It has agreed to pay in £100m to the fund over six years whilst embarking on an investment strategy which some say is too high risk.

What are the risks for individual pensioners? And what precedent does it create for other companies?

Bob Howard reports.

Further information:

Company avoids pensions shortfall

External links and helplines

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Standard Life

The debut share price was lower than has been expected

Standard Life has announced the starting price of its shares when it changes from being a company owned by its members to one owned by shareholders.

When trading begins on Monday, shares will start at £2.30 each. That values the average windfall of its 2.4m members at less than £1,500.

So what are the prospects for the new plc? We to Scott White, Standard Life spokesman, and Brian Dennehy of stockbrokers Dennehy Weller.

Further information:

External links and helplines

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TV licence payments

Post Offices have sold TV licences for the last 60 years

Buying a TV licence at the Post Office will no longer be possible from 31 July after the loss of its deal with the BBC.

Licences can be bought instead from Paypoint outlets in newsagents, petrol stations and supermarkets or purchased online, by post or phone.

It also means people will no longer be able to save for their licence through special stamps available at the Post Office.

Instead they will be given a plastic card for use at Paypoint outlets or over the phone, but some customers are angry about the change.

We hear from an unhappy consumer and we speak to Chris Reed, spokesman for TV Licensing.

Further information:

Millions face TV licence change

March 2006: Post Office loses TV licence deal

BBC Information on the licence fee

External links and helplines

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Credit cards

The OFT said the penalty charges were excessive and unfair

Credit card companies have been making changes to keep their profits up after bringing their penalty charges down.

The providers halved their charges in response to an Office of Fair Trading ruling in April.

However, Barclaycard then increased the interest rates for about 1 in 10 of its customers and Halifax has now sent out a letter indicating a string of changes too.

Chris A'Court reports.

Further information:

June 2006: Banks to cut credit card charges

External links and helplines

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Presenter: Paul Lewis
Producer: Chris A'Court
Reporter: Bob Howard