The Martin Lewis Podcast

Question Time: Cancel old credit cards? Martin: What 3 laws would you introduce? Pay v pensions? 01.06.2026 32мин

In this episode of The Martin Lewis Question Time Podcast, Martin takes on your consumer rights questions including to cancel or not to cancel old credit cards, higher paycheck or higher pension contributions, and if Martin were King for a day, what three laws would he introduce?There's a question about the rules when it comes to paying tax on benefit payments, Martin explains the rules and regulations.With so many competing credit card providers, Martin takes a question on how's best to balance closing old cards with maintaining your credit score, and how to hope between different cards unscathed.There's a question asked about a showdown between an impressively high pension contribution versus a potentially massive increase in pay. Martin explains the pros and cons of each. There’s also a feel‑good moment, with a success story from a listener who successfully used Gift Aid on their charitable donations, and Martin delivers a little refresher on Gift Aid for those who want to use it to the fullest.Plus, Martin considers an alternate universe where he is in charge of Britain, and thinks of three laws he would enact for the good of the consumer.If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Big Energy Bill Hikes Coming: Should You Fix Now, Even If You’re Already Fixed? 21.05.2026 59мин

Martin Lewis brings you everything you need to know about your future energy bills. Martin offers a live reaction to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ statement in the Commons on the cost of living. Tell Us this week is all about what’s the most bizarre way you’ve secured a discount? Fancy dress, sublime banter, a secret code phrase? And Mastermind this week is about defaulting on your credit file. Can Adrian earn the elusive hallelujahs? His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Question Time: Beginner investor: explain the risk? Faulty kitchen: getting money back? Self-employed: how to start a pension? 18.05.2026 38мин

In this episode of The Martin Lewis Question Time Podcast, Martin tackles a packed agenda of your real-life money dilemmas, bringing practical advice to your most pressing financial questions.For those new to investing, there’s a question from a beginner worried about risk. Martin unpacks what “risk” really means, how to assess your tolerance, and why understanding volatility is key before putting your money into the markets. Martin explains pension options for the self-employed - a crucial topic for anyone without automatic workplace contributions. Martin breaks down the key choices, from personal pensions to SIPPs, explains how to get started and how to make your money work harder for your future.A listener asks what rights they have when a kitchen starts to fail five years after installation. Martin explains consumer protection laws, including how long goods should reasonably last and how to challenge retailers or manufacturers when things go wrong well beyond the guarantee period, going through his SAD FART acronym so you can easily remember your statutory rights under the UK Consumer Rights Act.There’s also a feel‑good moment, with a success story from a listener who successfully claimed on their travel insurance - highlighting the importance of knowing how to navigate the claims process.Plus, Martin reflects on his own biggest money‑saving faux pas, listen to find out if he is on the Energy Price Cap.And, England fast bowler Mark Wood steps up to become the first cricket World Cup winner to also be awarded an ESQ.If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Council Tax Cost Cutting Special: 5 ways to try to cut your bill & possibly get £1,000s back 14.05.2026 1ч 1мин

Martin Lewis dives into council tax. Are you overpaying? Martin breaks down practical, often overlooked ways you could cut your bill—potentially saving hundreds each year. From checking your property band to claiming discounts for single occupancy, students, or disabilities.We also explore what to do if you think your property has been incorrectly assessed—plus the potential risks of challenging your banding. With real-life success stories and clear step-by-step guidance, you’ll find out how to navigate the system and make sure you're not paying more than you need to.Plus, this week’s “Tell Us”— We’re asking: What’s the biggest money secret you’ve ever kept? When was it? Who did you keep it from—and why? We hear your candid, surprising, and sometimes emotional stories.In our regular Mastermind feature, Adrian tackles a question from Martin on Lifetime ISAs (LISAs).And Martin brings you the latest Premium Bonds update—including current prize rates, odds of winning, and whether they still stack up compared to savings accounts in today’s climate.If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

What’s the best way to stooze (pervert 0% cards to make money)? | Top savings for 17yr-old | Will I lose Child Benefit? 11.05.2026 30мин

In our Question Time podcast, Martin Lewis gives you answers on anything and everything, including: an explainer on what the best way is to stooze - in other words, how to I get money from a 0% credit card to save it and maximise the gain.Martin answers a question about the best saving account options for a 17yr old.A caller asks if they will lose Child Benefit if they only earn over the limit for some of the year.Discover the advice Martin gives a parent who is nervous of giving their 18 year old a credit card for a first trip abroad. He also explains what alternatives are around.And finally, make sure you listen to the end to find out who, in the week of Martin’s birthday, we get as a surprise special guest last caller…If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Energy firms sitting on £3bn of our credit – how to get it back | Cheapest way to spend abroad 07.05.2026 1ч 1мин

Martin Lewis brings you everything you need to know about the energy direct debit cycle. Explaining why this is perfect time of year to check your direct debits, how much you should be in credit or debt with your energy provider and what do you do if you’re too much in credit.Martin explains the cheapest ways to spend abroad and why you should be thinking about it now. A lovely Tell Us which looks at when your children have impressed you with their financial knowledge.And Mastermind this week is all about your rights if you buy a faulty item.If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Question Time: Where do I put house sale money? Consumer rights wrong righted! How to talk to my partner about money? 04.05.2026 30мин

In our Question Time podcast, Martin Lewis gives you answers on anything and everything, including: can I switch my energy fix to a new provider during the 14-day cooling off period? Where should I keep a big lump sum I’ve got from my house sale? I’ve had a financial lightbulb moment, but my partner can’t see it, how should I talk to them about it? Plus, after a question about a retailer that was displaying the wrong returns info online, we’ve turned a consumer rights wrong into a success! If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know his signature dance move, which number he has his toaster set to, or have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Can you make £500 switching bank? 30.04.2026 47мин

Martin Lewis brings you everything you need to know about bank account switching, including which banks are willing to pay you money to do so.Martin also takes you through the need-to-knows about Pension Credits, whether you can claim them and how to claim. The Mastermind question this week is also on pensions.And there is also a huge win from our Question Time podcast. If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Question Time: I got £5k back after calling the pod! Can I move a loan to a 0% card? Claim car finance comp for dead relative? 27.04.2026 35мин

In our Question Time podcast, Martin Lewis gives you answers on anything and everything, including: can I shift a £15,000 loan to a 0% credit card to cut costs? How do I find any car finance agreements my deceased father had so we can reclaim them for my step-mum? Can I trick the bank into thinking I’m a higher earner to get £500 for free? We have a huge success, where one call to this podcast got our caller £5,000 back! Plus, we reveal what we’re going to call you if you ask a question or come on the podcast. What is it? You’ll have to listen to find out, of course! If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know his ideal bathwater temperature, the highest note he can sing, or have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

The big mistake many make when saving or investing for their children… 23.04.2026 1ч 4мин

Martin Lewis brings you everything you need to know about saving or investing for your children’s future, including: Junior ISAs, children’s savings, regular savings - and reveals the biggest mistake most parents make, so you don’t do the same! Plus, there’s car finance compensation news, as a claims law firm has announced it will take the regulator to court to try and increase consumer payments, but could it slow things down? You tell us the cheapest thing you've ever taken back to a shop to complain about, and Mastermind is all about which credit product has the most interest attached to it, you might be surprised by the answer! If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!). So, if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite Morse code letter, how long he can hold his breath underwater, or have a very complicated question about your finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Question Time: Keep saving hard, or spend more on my family? £30,000 stoozing success! Top up missing NI years? 20.04.2026 48мин

In our Question Time podcast, Martin Lewis gives you answers on anything and everything, including: can I claim car finance mis-selling if I had an interest-free deal? Should I continue to save hard, overpay my mortgage and invest, or spend a bit more enjoying life with my young family? What do I do if my LISA bonus comes in after I’ve bought my first house? Do I need to top up missing National Insurance years at 36? We also have a brilliant success story from a couple of stoozers who’ve managed to build a £30,000 stooze pot, plus, you get to decide what we call you if you ask Martin a question on the podcast – but to find out how, you’re going to have to listen to the show! If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite ice cream flavour, if he’s ever pondered the meaning of life, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Energy fixes are back! | Best ISAs for 2026/7 | Council Tax Change 16.04.2026 55мин

Energy bills are in the news and this may be a crucial moment. In this podcast Martin explains the Energy Price Cap, and the firms offering fixes cheaper than the Price Cap.It’s a new tax year, and that means all UK adults have a new £20,000 tax-free ISA allowance to use. Martin runs through your options of where to put your money.Martin explains why a change on council tax debt collection which will mean vulnerable people will have more time and support to settle their outstanding council tax bills has put him in a good mood.Listeners Tell Us about financial mistakes that turned out to be a good move.And will Adrian get this week’s Money Mastermind? This week the question is about savings interest.If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know what colour his eyes are, what he's planning to do in his eventual retirement, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

URGENT MINI POD: Car finance mis-selling confirmed: Will you get your money back? 30.03.2026 20мин

In a special, urgent edition of the podcast, Martin explains what you need to know right now - as the financial regulator sets out its redress scheme for millions of motorists who were mis-sold finance deals.The scheme will apply to more than 12 million deals - and will cost lenders 9.1 BILLION pounds.So - who is included? Should you put in a complaint now? What vehicles are eligible? How do I know if it was mis-sold? Martin answers all those questions - and more.If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know what colour his eyes are, what he's planning to do in his eventual retirement, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Question Time: 5 year old TV’s faulty, can I get a refund? Your caller helped me sort my debt! When shouldn't I pay IN FULL? 30.03.2026 38мин

In our Question Time podcast, Martin Lewis gives you answers on anything and everything, including: if my holiday’s cancelled due to the Middle East conflict, can I get a refund on the travel insurance? Vodafone promised me a 50% discount but now they’re chipping away at it, what can I do? When is paying off a credit card IN FULL not worth it? My high-end TV is faulty after 5 years, am I due any money back? Plus, a wonderful success from Carly, who was inspired by a podcast caller to finally seek the debt help she needs.If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know his favourite yoga position, if he’s mastered pottery, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Lifetime ISA, is the free £1,000/yr still worth it? | Your insider MoneySaving tips 26.03.2026 50мин

The big topic in this pod is Lifetime ISAs, LISAs give up to £1,000 a year bonus for first time buyers, but there are pitfalls to watch too. With the ISA year about to end, Martin Lewis runs through how they work and how best to use them in detail.Martin also explains the LISA's predecessor the Help to Buy ISA and which is best. He also goes through the best options currently on the market.Plus why are vulnerable people made to declare their issues to firm after firm, isn’t it time we stopped that?This week’s Tell Us is about insider tips you learned from your work that can help others, we’ve brilliant ones from doctors, techies, accountants, electric installers, supermarket, hospitality workers and more.And this week’s Mastermind is all about pensions.If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know what colour his eyes are, what he's planning to do in his eventual retirement, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Question Time: Am I due car finance payback? 9-year-old learns about interest! If my bank overpays me, can I keep it? 23.03.2026 41мин

In our Question Time podcast, Martin Lewis answers your questions including: is my car finance agreement covered by the mis-selling redress scheme? Can my partner and I couple up to maximise cashback offers? I’ve told Monzo its overpaid me but it’s done nothing, can I keep the money? What can I do about a retailer that displays the wrong returns info online? Plus, we have a lovely success story involving a 9-year-old who’s doing jobs for her parents for pocket money! If you want to ask Martin a question, his Question Time podcast lets you do just that! You can ask him questions about absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know which chocolate he prefers, how many sudokus he can solve in a day, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Isa Isa Baby! Everything you need to know before the end of the tax year 19.03.2026 1ч 4мин

In this podcast Martin explains everything you’ve ever wanted to know about ISAs but were afraid to ask. Cash ISAs, shares ISAs, how to transfer, how much you can put in, best buys for cash, and top picks for investments.Chartered Financial Planner Ed Marshall also joins Martin to help with stocks and shares ISAs.There is an update on the potential energy bills crisis brought on by the conflict in the middle east.The Tell Us is asking about the best £1 you’ve ever spent.And there’s Money Mastermind, this question is all about savings interest.If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know what colour his eyes are, what he's planning to do in his eventual retirement, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Question Time: Should I overpay my mortgage? If I sign up online, why can’t I cancel online? Can I open an ISA for my niece? 16.03.2026 28мин

In our Question Time podcast, Martin Lewis answers your questions including: which travel insurance policy do I make a claim to? When you say ‘pay off all debts’ does that include your mortgage? Can I open an ISA for my niece or nephew? Why is cancelling a subscription so hard? Plus, how your height impacts your step count, and what should we call you if you ask us a question? And we have a success story following Martin’s answer to a question on broadband.If you want to ask Martin a question, his Question Time podcast lets you do just that! You can ask him questions about absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know which tree he likes best, how many burpees he can do in a minute, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Car finance Mis-selling: what you need do | Top joint bank accounts | Economic Abuse the signs 12.03.2026 50мин

In this week’s podcast Martin Lewis gives an update on the car finance mis-selling story. He questions such as: ‘what counts as mis-selling?’ ‘How do you know if you were mis-sold?’ ‘How much will be paid out?’ ‘How can you find old agreements?’, ‘What if you’ve complained and not contacted?’ And so much more.We also look at couples’ finances – in Tell Us this week we talk through how you and your partner work on your money together. Martin runs through the top joint accounts and the rules on joint accounts if something goes wrong. Plus how joint accounts can be misused as a form of domestic abuse… he talks to the charity Surviving Economic Abuse about that.Plus news on stamp prices, mortgages, student finance and Martin’s reaction to the news that some customers using Bank of Scotland, Lloyds and Halifax apps have been able to see other users' transactions on their accounts.If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know what colour his eyes are, what he's planning to do in his eventual retirement, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.

Question Time: Can I back-claim Child Benefit? Change broadband before April? Why does my 7% regular saver only pay 4%? 09.03.2026 33мин

It's a geek edition of our Question Time podcast! This week Martin Lewis gives you answers on your questions asking him anything and everything, including: should I wait until April to change my broadband to avoid the price hikes? Can I back-claim child benefit, now I know I’m eligible? Why did my 7% regular saver pay me half of that in interest? If I have to buy credits to purchase a game, can I get a cash refund if it’s faulty? I have a disability, so I need others to drive me in my car, how do I get insurance? Plus, does Martin find the ‘Dead Ringers’ impression of him funny? You’ll have to listen to find out!If you want to ask Martin a question, you now can! His Question Time podcast lets you ask Martin absolutely anything and everything (within reason!) – so if you’ve always wanted to know if he’s got hay fever, which galaxy is his favourite, or have a very complicated question about your personal finances, email it to MartinLewisPodcast@bbc.co.uk.