Mortgages, Tax Free Childcare and Funeral plans

Mortgages are back in the headlines this week, with the news that hundreds of deals are being pulled from the market. Since the start of last week, the total number of mortgage products on the market has fallen by 11.3% according to new figures from Money Facts. We'll discuss this with Sonya Matharu, Senior Mortgage Broker with The Mortgage Mum. There are calls to simplify and reform the tax free childcare system. The charity Coram says many families don't even know they are eligible because the system is so difficult to manage. HMRC says Tax-Free Childcare is quick and easy to claim and that it can be a real boost to the household budget of working families. Adding that families can choose the financial support that best suits their needs. It recommends that parents use the Childcare Choices website (https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/) to find the right childcare offer for them. We'll discuss what the latest updates are for funeral plan holders with companies which have gone out of business - following a major shake up of the industry. We'll speak to one of the providers which has taken on customers of failed firms and to James Daley from Fairer Finance. And the listener who manages his mum's finances but was told he couldn't switch her to a more competitive savings account. Presenter: Felicity Hannah Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner Editor: Jess Quayle (First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 3rd June, 2023)