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Exclusive data for Money Box suggest that 1 in 5 UK adults have had to ration things like heating or electricity to keep up with their debt repayments. 1 in 8 have changed the food they eat for less healthy options. The survey, carried out by debt charity StepChange, found a third of adults say they are in financial difficulties, but half would be reluctant to contact their lenders to try to sort things out. We'll speak to the CEO of StepChange Vikki Brownridge.

Listeners who run community groups battle their banks over unexplained account closures. What are your rights?

Millions of pounds of Pension Credit has been claimed by thousands of people in London who didn't know they were eligible. A recent campaign saw 8,200 older households in 17 London boroughs receive targeted letters to make them aware that they might be able to get the benefit. As a result there were more than 2,000 successful claims, worth just under 拢8.4 million.

Plus, Money Box journalism leads to questions being asked in parliament over an energy scheme that thousands of people missed out on.

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researcher: Sandra Hardial
Editor: Jess Quayle

(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 16th Sept, 2023)

00:00 Rationing to pay debts
08:40 Bank Account Closures
14:44 Energy Bills
16:59 Pension Credit