Pre-Budget Report 2006

BBC Radio 4's Money Box Saturday 9 December 1204 GMT Sunday 10 December 2102 GMT On Radio 4 and Online Programme transcript

Chancellor Gordon Brown delivered his Pre-Budget Report to Parliament on Wednesday with an emphasis on "green" measures.

On Money Box on Saturday, John Whiting from PricewaterhouseCoopers joined us to discuss the changes including increases to fuel and air duty and filing of tax returns.

ISAs

One thing we were expecting was more news on the promised changes to the tax free ISA rules. Samantha Washington has been looking into what we actually got.

Carbon neutral homes

The chancellor also announced that stamp duty on "carbon neutral" new homes will be scrapped for a time limited period.

These are dwellings constructed from renewable materials with environmentally-friendly power generation.

We spoke to climate consultant Liz Reason about the chancellor's proposals.

Benefits

Child benefit will be payable to women in the 29th week of pregnancy - but not until 2009.

But despite the huge rises in energy prices, pensioner groups were disappointed to find no increase in the Winter Fuel Allowance.

We spoke to Anna Pearson from Help the Aged.

Pension term assurance and annuities

Since April, consumers have been able to purchase life cover through the framework of a pension enabling them to get full tax relief on their premiums.

But the government now looks set to close down this advantage leaving insurance firms and customers with applications in the pipeline uncertain of what to do.

We speak to Chris Kenny, Director of Life and Pensions at the Association of British Insurers.

New restrictions will be placed on the use of Alternatively Secured Pensions (ASPs) to avoid abuse of the system.

ASPs give people the option of drawing cash from their pension funds at 75 rather than buying an annuity.

We spoke to Stuart Bayliss of Annuity Direct.

Further information:

Internet links and helplines

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Cahoot loans

Cahoot says there are no penalties for early repayment

Online bank Cahoot has caused anger amongst its flexible loan customers by dramatically increasing its loan rate with just two week's notice.

The rate has risen this week to 9.4% and will jump again to 14.9% on 19 December.

That means people's monthly repayments will be much higher.

Cahoot has already stopped offering new loans and credit cards.

Further information:

Cahoot rate hike angers customers

Internet links and helplines

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Mortgage fees

Most lenders have now also raised their standard variable rates

People wishing to take out a new mortgage product are facing increased costs after 11 providers upped their charges in November.

Arrangement fees have been increased by up to £200, while others have switched to percentage based fees or introduced fees on products that were previously free.

This comes as a further blow to mortgage customers already suffering from the latest interest rate rise.

We spoke to Ray Boulger from mortgage brokers John Charcol.

Further information:

Home loan fees rise to curb rates

Internet links and helplines

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Presenter: Paul Lewis
Producer: Jessica Laugharne
Reporter: Samantha Washington