About this episode

The episode discusses the rising fears of a cost of living crisis related to energy bills and council tax issues, alongside the emergence of portfolio careers among young people.

Are we at the start of a deepening cost of living crisis as nearly half of all adults fear they might not be able afford their energy bills? And from next year, councils in England will be banned from demanding householders pay their council tax in full if they are only late with one payment. HMRC warns of scammers as it begins taking back Winter Fuel Payment from more than two million higher income pensioners. Also, the rise of the poly worker. Why young people are fixing their sights on a portfolio career. Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Niamh McDermott Researcher: Jo Krasner Editor: Rob Cave Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson (First broadcast Saturday 18th April 2026)

People in this episode

Host: Paul Lewis

Topics covered

• cost of living crisis
• energy bills
• council tax
• scammers
• portfolio career
• young workers

Keywords

• cost of living
• energy bills
• council tax arrears
• Winter Fuel Payment
• scammers
• poly worker
• portfolio career

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: HMRC

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