Main content

Universal Credit, Savings, Mermaids

News and discussion of consumer affairs. The legal challenge over the government's new benefit Universal Credit, and the children learning to swim like mermaids.

Lawyers acting for a man who is terminally ill with cancer are taking a case to the High Court to test whether the government has acted unlawfully in the way it's brought in the new benefit Universal Credit.
They'll argue that the government was wrong to stop additional payments that had been made to him because he was so ill, when he was switched to the new benefit. The Department for Work and Pensions says it can't comment on the specific case but that Universal Credit is more targeted and support is focused on those who need it most.

Low interest rates are making savings accounts far less attractive than they used to be.
We've analysed figures from the Office for National Statistics who measure potential household savings. They estimate that last year people saved a lower proportion of their incomes than at any time for 45 years.
We look at what's driving that - and speak to an academic who's been studying our changing saving habits.

And, we'll talk about mermaiding. It's a new hobby where swimmers wear tails shaped like the fin of a mermaid.
We'll hear from a professional mermaid who wears a fin which weighs more than 3 stone and cost $1,700.

Presenter: Winifred Robinson
Producer: Jess Quayle.

Available now

45 minutes

Chapters

  • OFGEM

    The energy regulator announced new plans to help people switch supplier

    Duration: 04:48

  • Department Store Poem

    Ian McMillan reading a poem written by listener Andy Franklin about a department store

    Duration: 01:51

  • Savings

    Why are savings at their lowest level since the 1960s?

    Duration: 07:29

  • Terrorism Insurance

    Talks about improving the cover for businesses caught up in terror attacks

    Duration: 06:47

  • Universal Credit

    The legal challenge over the government's new benefit

    Duration: 04:41

  • Mermaids

    What is mermaiding, and why are more people doing it?

    Duration: 07:04

  • Four Seasons Update

    The UK's second largest care home provider has been bailed out by its biggest lender

    Duration: 00:32

  • Unconditional Offers

    Chair of the Education Select Committee Robert Halfon talks about unconditional offers

    Duration: 05:32

Broadcast

  • Mon 12 Feb 2018 12:15

Health

Health

A selection of the best health advice and discussions from You & Yours.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle

From hanging wallpaper to takeaway apps, some of our favourite features about lifestyle.