Unit 1 : Financial Capability for the Immediate and Short Term

Question 1

Define ‘money’.

Answer 1

Anything that is widely accepted as a means of making payments.

Question 2

What does money refer to?

Answer 2

Coins, notes, electronic balances held in bank accounts.

Question 3

What was used before money was created?

Answer 3

People used a system of barter to trade goods or services.

Question 4

Give 5 limitations of using a barter system.

Answer 4

• It relies on a ‘double coincidence of wants’.
• It relies on the two parties agreeing a rate of exchange.
• Items cannot be divided to give change.
• Many items are not very portable.
• Deciding the intrinsic value of an item.

Question 5

Give 7 means of payment that are not money.

Answer 5

• Cheques
• Traveller’s cheques
• Oyster cards
• Debit and credit cards
• Contactless cards
• Charge cards
• Store cards

Question 6

Give a example of a modern barter system.

Answer 6

Local exchange trading systems or schemes (LETS). A local network that enables people to exchange goods and services with each other without using money. E.G. Babysitting.

Question 7

Give the 8 features of money.

Answer 7

• Acceptability (have fiduciary value)
• Recognisability
• Stability (hold its value)
• Divisibility (into smaller units, to combine to make any amount)
• Durability (lasts, hardwearing)
• Portability (to carry around)
• Scarcity (or value will be lost)
• Homogeneity (identical)

Question 8

Give the 4 functions of money.

Answer 8

• Means of exchange
• Store of value
• A means of borrowing and then repaying the debt
• Unit of account

Question 9

Define ‘purchasing power’.

Answer 9

The quantity of goods and services that money can buy.

Question 10

What is a key consideration for savers with regard to the money saved?

Answer 10

That inflation can reduce the purchasing power of money saved over time.

Question 11

What are young people receiving an allowance likely to do with their money?

Answer 11

Spend most of it.

Question 12

What are young people adults likely to do with their money?

Answer 12

Those who have just left home and are earning a low wage are likely to spend most of their money on living expenses.

Question 13

What are adults likely to do with their money?

Answer 13

They may spend money on living expenses and fun items, or borrow money through a mortgage.

Question 14

What are parents likely to do with their money?

Answer 14

They may borrow to buy a car, but spend most of their income on living expenses.

Question 15

What are middle aged people likely to do with their money?

Answer 15

They are most likely to pay off their debts, and save for their old age.

Question 16

What are retired people likely to do with their money?

Answer 16

They are more likely to be spending all of their income which will have fallen since their years in employment.

Question 17

What is the age group for birth and infant hood?

Answer 17

0-2 years

Question 18

What is the age group for childhood (preschool)?

Answer 18

2-5 years

Question 19

What is the age group for childhood (school)?

Answer 19

5-12 years

Question 20

What is the age group for teenager?

Answer 20

13-19 years

Question 21

What is the age group for young adult?

Answer 21

18-25 years

Question 22

What is the age group for mature adult?

Answer 22

26-40 years

Question 23

What is the age group for middle age?

Answer 23

41-54 years

Question 24

What is the age group for late middle age?

Answer 24

55-65 years

Question 25

What is the age group for old age?

Answer 25

65 onwards

Question 26

What 8 things do people have different of at each stage of the life cycle?

Answer 26

• Life events
• Levels of income
• Levels and patterns of spending
• Amounts of savings and attitudes towards savings
• Amounts of debt held and attitudes to debt
• Family sizes and structures
• Levels of education
• Attitudes to risk (and to the future)

Question 27

For what reasons do people spend money?

Answer 27

• To pay for essential items they need
• To pay for optional items they want now
• To save money for items they aspire to buy in the future

Question 28

What can influence individuals life events?

Answer 28

Where they live in the world, influencing events such as ending full time education

Question 29

What is the school leaving age in England?

Answer 29

18

Question 30

What is the school leaving age in Scotland?

Answer 30

16

Question 31

What is the school leaving age in Bangladesh?

Answer 31

10

Question 32

What is the school leaving age in India?

Answer 32

14

Question 33

What can change life events?

Answer 33

• Income
• Health
• Status
• Unforeseen circumstances

Question 34

What are the 4 categories of risk?

Answer 34

• Physical risk (e.g. hazardous sports)
• Emotional risk (e.g. trust)
• Risk to reputation (e.g. borrowing and not paying back)
• Financial risk (e.g. investing in shares that fall in value)

Question 35

Give 4 consequences of external influences on life events.

Answer 35

• Retirement life stage
• Migration and employment opportunities
• Lifelong learning and changes in employment patterns
• Changes to the family unit

Question 36

By what criteria do we measure each method of making payments?

Answer 36

• Convenience for the payer
• How acceptable
• Speed
• Safety

Question 37

What is the need to make payments called?

Answer 37

The ‘transaction need’

Question 38

What will the choice made on people’s payment method be determined by?

Answer 38

The payment methods available to them and the one they perceive to be most advantageous

Question 39

When does cash tend to be used as a payment method?

Answer 39

For everyday, low-value transactions when they are in face-to-face situations with the sellers

Question 40

Give 5 advantages of using cash.

Answer 40

• Convenient for the payer (providing they have it)
• Readily accepted by sellers
• Instant
• Low risk at low values
• Helps people budget

Question 41

Give 5 disadvantages of using cash.

Answer 41

• When the transaction is not made face-to-face (i.e. using the internet), cash cannot be used
• The transaction must be made on the same or similar dates every month (e.g. paying bills)
• Paying by cash is less convenient than other methods, perhaps because of the location of the seller
• Carrying large amounts of cash can be risky
• Some sellers prefer other payment methods (e.g. energy providers often give discounts to those paying electronically)

Question 42

Give 5 reasons why some sellers prefer not to be paid in cash.

Answer 42

• They have to look after it until it can be deposited in a bank account
• It could be stolen
• They have to process it, count it, bundle it and take it to the bank
• Employ security services to transport the cash
• Sellers can be suspicious of customers who pay for high-value items in cash, suspecting they have obtained the cash illegally (this can be an unfair assumption, though, as people without a current account have no choice but to pay in cash)

Question 43

What is the term for official authorisation or instruction to transfer money electronically?

Answer 43

Mandate

Question 44

What are the 7 types of electronic payment?

Answer 44

• Standing order
• Direct debits
• Online banking
• Faster payments
• CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System)
• Mobile banking
• PayPal

Question 45

What is a standing order?

Answer 45

These are instructions to pay the same amount to another account on a regular basis.

Question 46

How can standing orders be cancelled?

Answer 46

By giving instructions to the current account provider in writing, over the phone or online.

Question 47

What is a direct debit?

Answer 47

Another type of automatic payment that can be set up from a current account. When people set up direct debits, they are giving permission to their provider to pay the regular bills that an organisation will present for payment - so they can be for different amounts each month.

Question 48

What 3 features are included in a direct debit guarantee?

Answer 48

• 10 days’ notice must be given of amount that is being debited and the date
• If an error is made, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund
• You can cancel a direct debit at any time

Question 49

What does online banking enable account holders to do?

Answer 49

Give instructions for account transactions via the internet, including:

• Setting up standing orders
• Setting up direct debits
• Making one off payments to organisations or individuals

Question 50

How can one access online banking?

Answer 50

An account holder must first register, setting up passwords and pass numbers that one can use to prove who one is. The provider usually encourages you to download security software to stop fraudsters.

Question 51

Who offers faster payments?

Answer 51

All UK banks and building societies

Question 52

What was the name of the old transfer system?

Answer 52

BACS, that could take up to 3 business days to transfer money electronically

Question 53

What does the Faster Payments Service ensure?

Answer 53

That the payment arrives within 2 hours

Question 54

Does the Faster Payments Service have a maximum limit?

Answer 54

Many providers set a maximum limit that can be transferred, such as £10,000, although a few allow up to £100,000

Question 55

What is CHAPS?

Answer 55

A same day automated payment system used for high value payments - where funds need to be secure and guaranteed

Question 56

What is the most common payment that uses CHAPS?

Answer 56

A house purchase

Question 57

Does the CHAPS system charge?

Answer 57

You are often charged for this service

Question 58

What is PayPal?

Answer 58

An online payment service that enables people to pay each other without exchanging current account details

Question 59

Why is PayPal a very safe way of paying online?

Answer 59

Because sellers never see the buyer’s personal financial details. Also, PayPal protects users from any unauthorised payments made from their PayPal account.

Question 60

Give 4 advantages of electronic payments.

Answer 60

• Fast, safe and convenient
• Most are free of charge
• Automated payments can be set up as recurring transactions
• There are a range of different electronic payments to meet different customer needs

Question 61

Give 2 disadvantages of electronic payments.

Answer 61

• Security issues - online fraud and identity theft mean account holders need to be very careful to follow security procedures
• Account holders make mistakes - e.g. enter the wrong amount

Question 62

What is a cheque?

Answer 62

A payment mechanism that enables an account holder to instruct their provider to pay a specific amount of money to a specific person or organisation

Question 63

What are cheques useful for?

Answer 63

Paying family, friends and school payments

Question 64

What is clearing?

Answer 64

When you pay a cheque in or pay with a cheque, it takes 3 days for the funds to clear into your account, or if you have paid, 3 days for the money to leave your account

Question 65

Give 2 advantages of using cheques.

Answer 65

• Secure way to pay money - the money can only be paid to the person names on the cheque
• Easy to carry and use

Question 66

Give 2 disadvantages of using cheques.

Answer 66

• People or organisations accepting cheques cannot be certain when they will receive the money, due to clearing
• Cheques can bounce - in these circumstances the provider marks the cheque as unpaid and send it back to the person who was expecting the payment. This is usually as the person making the payment does not have enough money in their account to make the payment.

Question 67

When was the cheque guarantee scheme withdrawn?

Answer 67

30th June 2001

Question 68

How did the cheque guarantee work?

Answer 68

Providers offered a cheque guarantee card that ensured cheques up to a specific value (£50, £100, £250) would be paid, even if the payer did not have enough money in their account

Question 69

Why do some businesses (including many large retailers) refuse to accept cheques?

Answer 69

Because of the risks that cheques will be returned ‘unpaid’ and because the cost of processing cheques is far greater than the costs of processing payment card transactions

Question 70

What have the disadvantages of cheques and the advantages of other methods lead to?

Answer 70

The UK Payments Council announced in 2009 that cheques would be phased out in 2018

Question 71

Why was the decision to phase out cheques reversed?

Answer 71

There were a lot of complaints as certain groups like the elderly and small businesses still wanted to use them

Question 72

What is a banker’s draft?

Answer 72

They look similar to cheques and are processed through the clearing system. However, they are signed by the provider, rather than the individual - this means the payment is guaranteed. You will be charged.

Question 73

When do banker’s drafts tend to be used?

Answer 73

For paying large sums of money when a personal cheque is not appropriate, e.g. buying a new car

Question 74

Why would a banker’s draft be used for buying a new car?

Answer 74

If you paid by cheque, you would not be able to drive the car away until the cheque had cleared

Question 75

What are cash cards?

Answer 75

These allow account holders to withdraw cash from their account at a branch or using an ATM

Question 76

When can cash cards not be used?

Answer 76

To pay sellers in face-to-face situations, over the internet or by telephone

Question 77

Who is normally offered cash cards?

Answer 77

People under 18 and those on low incomes, so they can easily access their money

Question 78

What are cash cards branded with?

Answer 78

Visa or MasterCard, these 2 payment systems operate computer networks that enable payments to be taken from cardholders’ accounts

Question 79

What are debit cards?

Answer 79

These allow account holders to access cash from their accounts and also pay for goods in stores, over the internet, by telephone or by post. They work like electronic cheques, but payment is made immediately.

Question 80

What are debit cards branded with?

Answer 80

Visa or MasterCard

Question 81

What happens if the PIN works and funds are available on a debit card?

Answer 81

Authorisation is given, meaning the seller is guaranteed to receive payment

Question 82

What do sellers have to do after encouraging customers to pay by debit cards?

Answer 82

They have to pay their bank a small fee

Question 83

What do many large retailers also offer to customers paying by card?

Answer 83

Cash back, where customers add cash to their bill and get the cash

Question 84

Why are retailers happy to give cash back?

Answer 84

As the transaction is fully authorised

Question 85

How do pre-payment cards work?

Answer 85

Cardholders load the card with money and then use it to pay for goods and services

Question 86

What is the most commonly used example of a pre-payment card?

Answer 86

Oyster card

Question 87

Which cards have a contactless payment facility?

Answer 87

Some debit and prepaid cards

Question 88

Up to what amount can you pay with a contactless card?

Answer 88

£20

Question 89

What 4 ways can you pay with when abroad?

Answer 89

• Cash in the local currency
• A debit card (may be charged)
• A pre-paid travel card (similar to Oyster, withdrawals available)
• Travellers’ cheque

Question 90

What happens if a pre-paid travel card is lost or stolen?

Answer 90

The card can be blocked and the remaining balance refunded

Question 91

What is a travellers’ cheque?

Answer 91

These are pre-printed cheques for set amounts of currency, such as 50, 100 or 500 US dollars

Question 92

What do you need to do when buying travellers’ cheques?

Answer 92

Photographic ID, and to sign each cheque

Question 93

What do you need to do when using travellers’ cheques?

Answer 93

You have to sign each one, and the seller will make sure that the 2 signatures match

Question 94

What can travellers’ cheques be used for?

Answer 94

To pay in shops or hotels, or exchanged for local currency at banks

Question 95

What does the choice of payment method usually depend on?

Answer 95

• How convenient the payer finds different methods
• Which methods the seller accepts
• How quickly the transaction can be completed
• How safe the method is perceived to be

Question 96

What do most adults use current accounts for?

Answer 96

Their everyday banking needs, such as receiving payments, storing money for short periods of time, making payments and accessing cash

Question 97

Why are some current accounts only available to those over 18?

Answer 97

Because they include overdrafts

Question 98

Why do young people often use a savings account for everyday banking?

Answer 98

Because their main requirements are to store money and withdraw cash

Question 99

What are the 6 types of current account?

Answer 99

• Standard bank accounts offering debit card and cheque book
• Packaged accounts, which charge a fee for offering additional services such as travel insurance
• Basic bank accounts which offer a cash card only and no overdraft or cheque book
• Student accounts
• Youth accounts (for people under 18)
• Premium accounts (for wealthy customers)

Question 100

What is the most common type of current account?

Answer 100

Standard - accounts for 67%

Question 101

For what percentage of current accounts do packaged accounts represent?

Answer 101

17%

Question 102

For what percentage of current accounts do basic accounts represent?

Answer 102

9%

Question 103

For what percentage of current accounts do student accounts represent?

Answer 103

3%

Question 104

For what percentage of current accounts do youth accounts represent?

Answer 104

2%

Question 105

For what percentage of current accounts do premium accounts represent?

Answer 105

1%

Question 106

Where are current accounts available from?

Answer 106

Banks, building societies and the Post Office, as well as retailers such as M&S

Question 107

Which type of people does the basic bank account suit?

Answer 107

People who wish to avoid borrowing, such as those living on benefits or low incomes or people who have not held a current account before

Question 108

What does a basic bank account not offer?

Answer 108

A debit card, an overdraft or a cheque book

Question 109

What are people with a basic bank account given?

Answer 109

A cash card or pre-paid cards - these are cards loaded with funds from the account that can be used to make purchases; anywhere the card brand is accepted

Question 110

What services do basic bank accounts offer?

Answer 110

Direct Debits and Standing Orders to pay bills, but won’t be paid if there aren’t any funds in the account

Question 111

What is the most popular basic account?

Answer 111

The Post Office Card Account

Question 112

When were basic bank accounts introduced?

Answer 112

In 2004, as part of the Government’s plans for financial inclusion

Question 113

Who are youth accounts available for?

Answer 113

People aged less than 18 years old

Question 114

What do youth accounts not offer?

Answer 114

Overdraft facilities, because people need to be 18 to enter into a contract to borrow money

Question 115

What can people aged 16-19 have with a youth account?

Answer 115

Cash cards, debit cards, standing orders, direct debits, chequebook, online banking, mobile banking and text alerts

Question 116

What can people aged 11-15 have with a youth account?

Answer 116

A cash card only

Question 117

When do most people open their first current account?

Answer 117

When they start work and tend to use savings accounts before that

Question 118

What facilities do standard current accounts offer?

Answer 118

Facilities such as receiving payments, cash cards, debit cards, standing orders, direct debits, chequebook, online banking, mobile banking, text alerts. They are usually free of charge, unless you have an overdraft.

Question 119

What are the key features of student accounts?

Answer 119

Low interest or no-interest overdraft facility and incentives such as discounts on contents or travel insurance policies

Question 120

Why do providers want to attract students?

Answer 120

As some will be the high earners of the future

Question 121

When would interest charges on a credit balance be much higher?

Answer 121

If you go overdrawn

Question 122

Who are joint accounts suitable for?

Answer 122

People who share finances

Question 123

What will the provider need to know for a joint account?

Answer 123

Who can withdraw funds from a joint current account and whether a signature is required from more than one of the account holders to make a withdrawal

Question 124

Who is responsible if a joint account becomes overdrawn?

Answer 124

All account holders are responsible for repaying the full amount

Question 125

What do packaged accounts offer account holders?

Answer 125

Extra benefits for a monthly fee (e.g. mobile phone insurance, car breakdown cover)

Question 126

Why are packaged accounts not suitable for everyone?

Answer 126

It is important that you weigh up the benefits against the costs of the yearly fee. If the cost of the annual fee is less than the extra benefits would cost, then the account is worthwhile.

Question 127

Give an example of an additional service that is offered by premier accounts?

Answer 127

A personal banker to help account holders manage their finances and banking products

Question 128

What must you have to open a premier account?

Answer 128

A certain level of income

Question 129

What must you present when opening an account?

Answer 129

You must supply the provider with proof of their identity and address - these must be separate documents and cannot be used for both

Question 130

Give examples of documents that are often accepted by providers as proof of identity or a UK address.

Answer 130

• Gas, elec, water or phone bill less than 3 months old
• Current passport
• Insurance certificate issues in the last 3 months
• Council tax bill issues within the current financial year
• Employers ID card
• Mail order statement that is less than 3 months old
• Driving license
• Pension or Social Security book
• Medical card

(YOUNGER PEOPLE)

• Birth certificate
• Letter from school, college, uni

Question 131

Why might a provider refuse to open an account?

Answer 131

Because they may think the account may not be profitable - they may then suggest an alternative account

Question 132

From where can you obtain statements?

Answer 132

ATMs, online, on paper, checking mobile app

Question 133

Why is it important to write details of the payee on your chequebook?

Answer 133

So you know when the money has been paid, as cheques will usually appear on a statement as the number of the cheque

Question 134

What is the cost of switching and closing accounts?

Answer 134

Providers offer a free service for switching between accounts - although you would be expected to pay fees and any other money you owe

Question 135

What are the factors to consider when choosing a savings product?

Answer 135

• Interest rate?
• Rate of return higher than inflation?
• Tax on interest?
• How often can you withdraw?
• How often can you pay money in?
• Operating the account?
• How safe is the money?
• Provider
• Eligibility

Question 136

What is the return on savings?

Answer 136

The interest the provider pays the account holder

Question 137

What is the return on savings expressed as?

Answer 137

AER (Annual Equivalent Rate)

Question 138

What is AER?

Answer 138

The interest that will be earned on the saved money in one year and takes into account how often the provider pays the interest and fees and charges

Question 139

What should you compare when comparing the return on savings?

Answer 139

AERs, gross figures (before income tax) or net figures (after income tax)

Question 140

What is AER influenced by?

Answer 140

The Bank of England’s Bank rate, and the other rates offered by other providers

Question 141

What is the Bank of England’s Base Rate at the moment, and how does this affect peoples’ willingness to save?

Answer 141

0.5%, their willingness to save has gone down

Question 142

What other factors are going to influence the rate of return?

Answer 142

• The amount of money saved
• How long the money is saved
• Whether the account is ‘online only’
• The tax status of the account (SLN)
• Introductory bonuses
• The number of withdrawals the saver makes

Question 143

What are instant access accounts?

Answer 143

Where you can withdraw money at any time, with no charge, and will offer a much lower rate of interest

Question 144

What are notice accounts?

Answer 144

Where the saver has to give notice, to advise the provider a set amount of time before withdrawing money - so the saver will receive higher interest than instant access accounts. However, failure to give notice usually results in the loss of interest earned during the notice period, e.g. 90 days.

Question 145

What are fixed period accounts?

Answer 145

These usually pay interest for a fixed period of time, but the providers usually only allow limited withdrawals

Question 146

What are fixed period accounts also known as?

Answer 146

Bonds

Question 147

How is the interest rate on online only accounts different?

Answer 147

These usually pay higher interest, as there are lower admin costs

Question 148

How can introductory bonuses affect rate of return?

Answer 148

You can be misled if there is an introductory bonus interest rate, as it will boost the return in the first year, so subsequent years may be much lower than competitors

Question 149

How can the number of withdrawals the saver is able to make influence the rate of interest earned?

Answer 149

An instant access account will have lower interest rate, while restricted access will have a higher interest rate

Question 150

Define ‘inflation’

Answer 150

The general rise in the average price of goods and services

Question 151

What does inflation affect?

Answer 151

The purchasing power of money

Question 152

What do you need if you are going to save?

Answer 152

For the AER to be at least equal to the inflation rate

Question 153

Does the saver benefit or lose out if AER > inflation rate?

Answer 153

The real value of savings increases, as the purchasing power is increasing

Question 154

Does the saver benefit or lose out if AER < inflation rate?

Answer 154

The real value of savings decreases as the purchasing power is decreasing

Question 155

Who is tasked with managing inflation?

Answer 155

The Bank of England

Question 156

What is the government’s inflation target?

Answer 156

2%, +/- 1

Question 157

How is inflation measured?

Answer 157

• Consumer Price Index (CPI)

- Retail Price Index (RPI)

Question 158

How many goods and services are included in the CPI basket of goods?

Answer 158

650

Question 159

How do the CPI and RPI measure inflation?

Answer 159

By calculating the average change in prices of a basket of goods (that reflects consumer spending preferences) over a 12-month period

Question 160

What is the interest on most savings accounts subject to?

Answer 160

Basic income tax (20% in March 2013)

Question 161

Who pays the basic income tax?

Answer 161

The provider pays this tax direct to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and pays the saver the remaining 80% of the interest due

Question 162

What is the payment of tax by providers called?

Answer 162

Deducting the tax at source

Question 163

What will the AER of taxed interest savings account be quoted as?

Answer 163

Gross AER (before tax) rate and a net (after tax) rate per annum or per year

Question 164

What are ISA’s?

Answer 164

Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) have interest paid free of tax - they were introduced by the government in 1999 to encourage people to save

Question 165

When did the name of ISAs change to NISAs (new ISAs)?

Answer 165

1st July 2014

Question 166

What are the ISA limits for 2014/15?

Answer 166

£15,000 can be placed in cash or £15,000 in shares, or a combination of cash and shares

Question 167

How many NISAs can savers contribute to in a tax year?

Answer 167

One

Question 168

What is an instant access NISA?

Answer 168

You can pay in up to the limit and you can withdraw throughout the year, but you cannot pay any more funds into the account

Question 169

How are junior ISAs different?

Answer 169

These are designed for under 18s, with a deposit limit of £4,000 (in 2014/15). Interest is also paid tax-free; the Junior ISA replaced the child trust fund.

Question 170

What is the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)?

Answer 170

This will guarantee up to £85,000 of savings in UK banks, building societies or credit unions that are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - this means that if the provider cannot repay the savings, the FSCS will repay 100% of what is owed (up to £85,000) per person per provider

Question 171

What is National Savings and Investments (NS&I)?

Answer 171

This is for people who want 100% of their savings guaranteed, regardless of the amount. They can save with NS&I, which is backed by Her Majesty’s Treasury.

Question 172

What are the 3 main methods of borrowing for the immediate and short term?

Answer 172

• Overdrafts
• Credit cards
• Personal loans

Question 173

Which firms provide overdrafts, credit cards and personal loans?

Answer 173

Banks, building societies and credit unions

Question 174

What is meant by unsecured borrowing products?

Answer 174

The provider does not have rights over any of the borrower’s goods if the borrower cannot repay the debt, however providers can go to court to reclaim outstanding debt

Question 175

Give an example of informal borrowing.

Answer 175

Being lent money by friends or family

Question 176

What is meant by formal borrowing?

Answer 176

Where an agreement is made with a bank, building society or credit union

Question 177

Why do you need to be 18 to borrow from a provider?

Answer 177

Under UK law, people need to be at least 18 years old to enter into a credit agreement and the terms and conditions of this agreement must be provided to the borrower in writing

Question 178

What 4 things does the borrower need to consider when borrowing money?

Answer 178

• What they can afford to repay
• The costs and risks of different borrowing methods
• How long they need to borrow for
• How they apply for and manage the debt

Question 179

What 3 things does the provider need to consider when lending money?

Answer 179

• Type of borrowing
• Personal finance circumstances of the borrower
• Credit history

Question 180

What do people who take out credit cards or personal loans have?

Answer 180

A 14 day cooling off period when they can change their minds, cancel the agreement and return the card or loan without penalties

Question 181

What is the cost of borrowing?

Answer 181

The interest rate and the fees that providers charge borrowers

Question 182

What must providers quote the cost of borrowing as?

Answer 182

An annual percentage rate (APR) for credit card borrowing and personal loans - on all adverts for borrowing products

Question 183

What is APR?

Answer 183

APR is a standard measure that includes the interest rate and certain charges to show the true cost of borrowing for customers

Question 184

What is the usual APR for a personal loan?

Answer 184

The APR will usually be fixed for the full period of the borrowing product

Question 185

What APR does a credit card have?

Answer 185

Variable APRs, so the provider can raise or lower the rate

Question 186

What do providers set their APRs in relation to?

Answer 186

The bank base rate, the risk of the customer not repaying the loan and what other providers charge

Question 187

What are overdraft costs presented as?

Answer 187

An interest only, which is an equivalent annual rate (EAR) - the charges and fees are listed separately

Question 188

Why are overdraft costs presented as EAR?

Answer 188

Because providers charge different fees depending on whether or not they had agreed to offer an overdraft to the customer before the customer borrowed the money

Question 189

What is the difference between APR and EAR?

Answer 189

• The APR includes the interest rate and certain charges to show the true cost of borrowing for customers, whereas EAR is presented as interest only
• Also, all EARs are variable, they can vary over time

Question 190

What is an overdraft?

Answer 190

A facility that allows a current account holder to withdraw more money than they actually have in their account

Question 191

Who are overdrafts designed for?

Answer 191

Current account holders to use for just a few days or weeks at a time

Question 192

What does overdraft borrowing enable the account holder to do?

Answer 192

Bridge the time difference between making a payment and receiving enough income to cover it

Question 193

How much can the cost of an authorised overdraft vary?

Answer 193

From 0 around 19.94% EAR up to the agreed limit

Question 194

What do providers usually alter EARs in line with?

Answer 194

Changes in the Bank rate - the overdraft costs are calculated on a daily basis

Question 195

Why is the fact that overdraft costs are calculated on a daily basis an advantage for account holders?

Answer 195

As they only pay interest on the amount they have borrowed that day and for the number of days they are overdrawn

Question 196

Give 4 examples of overdraft fees.

Answer 196

• Authorised overdraft usage fee (a fixed, one-off fee such as £10 and/or a fee per day)
• Unauthorised overdraft usage fee (a fixed, one-off fee such as £20 and/or a fee per day, which would be higher than that of an authorised overdraft)
• Unpaid transaction fee (providers can return transactions such as cheques, standing orders and direct debits to the payee’s band unpaid and charge a fee per item)
• Paid transaction fee (providers must honour certain transactions, such as debit card payments, even though the account has insufficient funds to cover them)

Question 197

What is the most significant difference between authorised and unauthorised overdrafts?

Answer 197

You can incur significant costs if you use an unauthorised overdraft, so they are much more expensive

Question 198

Give 3 ways that you could avoid unauthorised overdraft costs.

Answer 198

• Set up text alerts to warn when the account balance is below a set amount
• Check your account balance regularly, e.g. online
• Agree an authorised overdraft
• Choose a basic bank account that doesn’t have overdraft facilities, so it is not possible to go overdrawn

Question 199

What is another concern as well as the cost of unauthorised borrowing?

Answer 199

That people who regularly borrow by overdraft may find it difficult to repay the debt

Question 200

What do people use credit cards for?

Answer 200

To borrow a transaction amount from their credit card provider, instead of using their own funds

Question 201

Give 3 providers that offer credit cards.

Answer 201

Banks, building societies and finance companies

Question 202

What is the name given to sellers that accept credit cards?

Answer 202

Merchants

Question 203

What are the main brands for credit cards?

Answer 203

Visa and MasterCard

Question 204

Which 4 parties are involved when people pay using a credit card?

Answer 204

• The cardholder
• The merchant
• The merchant’s bank (called the acquirer)
• The cardholder’s bank (called the issuer)

Question 205

What is the use of authorisation?

Answer 205

Merchants must get the issuer’s permission to accept transactions on a payment card above a certain value, known as the merchant’s floor limit

Question 206

What does CVV stand for?

Answer 206

Card Verification Value - to identify the person as holding the genuine card

Question 207

What are 2 advantages of credit cards?

Answer 207

• Some people use credit cards as a way of delaying payment for a few weeks or spreading the cost over a number of months
• The credit card issuer does not charge interest for the period of time between making the card transaction and the payment due date. Depending on when the next statement is due, a cardholder can have an interest-free period of up to 56 days.

Question 208

What is the Consumer Credit Act?

Answer 208

Gives protection for goods and services valued between £100 and £30,000 which are paid in full or part on a credit card (e.g. if items are faulty cardholders can claim money back from the credit card provider)

Question 209

When is the Consumer Credit Act particularly useful?

Answer 209

If the merchant has gone out of business or refuses to deal with a complaint

Question 210

What can you do if goods are under £100?

Answer 210

Approach the card issuer for help, as it may be possible to get a refund

Question 211

What are the costs of using a credit card?

Answer 211

The APR on the amount borrowed plus any fees that apply

Question 212

When someone applies for a credit card, what does the issuer offer?

Answer 212

They offer the individual a specific APR and credit limit based on their personal financial circumstances

Question 213

What does the APR quoted in adverts being representative mean?

Answer 213

51% of applicants must be likely to receive it, and is also based on applicants being offered a certain credit limit and on their past borrowing and repayment history

Question 214

What could the APR being variable mean?

Answer 214

It may change in line with Bank rate and the issuer’s assessment of the risk that the cardholder may not repay

Question 215

When are APRs usually calculated?

Answer 215

On a daily basis on the account balance

Question 216

What is the APR for purchases?

Answer 216

17.9%

Question 217

What is the APR for balance transfers?

Answer 217

17.9%

Question 218

What is the APR for cash withdrawals?

Answer 218

27.9%

Question 219

When is the interest charged for a cash withdrawal?

Answer 219

As soon as you take the money out

Question 220

What are 4 other credit card charges?

Answer 220

• Annual subscription fees for holding the account
• Late repayment fees
• Over-credit limit fees
• Cash advance fee (cash withdrawals)

Question 221

What is payment allocation?

Answer 221

The cost of borrowing on a credit card depends on the order in which the card issuer uses repayments to pay off transactions and fees

Question 222

What can make a big difference to the overall cost of credit card fees?

Answer 222

Some providers allocate payments to the most expensive debt first but others allocate payments in the order that the debts were incurred

Question 223

What does how long the APR is charged on transactions depend on?

Answer 223

How much cardholders choose to repay when they receive their credit card statement

Question 224

What do statements always give?

Answer 224

A minimum amount that must be paid by the due date

Question 225

What is the minimum amount that must be paid by the due date often between?

Answer 225

3% and 5% of the total balance or a set minimum such as £5 or £25

Question 226

What are the 8 different types of credit card?

Answer 226

• Low APR cards
• 0% introductory APR and handling fee on balance transfers
• Cashback cards
• Reward cards
• Charity donation cards
• First credit cards
• Credit cards with low cost for foreign transactions
• Gold, Platinum and Black credit cards

Question 227

Who are low APR cards usually available to?

Answer 227

People on high incomes and/or a good repayment history - e.g. an APR of 7%

Question 228

How does 0% introductory APR and handling fee on balance transfers work?

Answer 228

Customers who have a large balance can transfer the amount they owe from one credit card to another one, usually with a different provider. The new card issuer pays the customers debt with the old card issuer. The balance is transferred to the new card and there is 0% interest for a period of time (6, 12, 18 months). This makes the debt easier to repay because it is not increasing.

Question 229

What are cashback cards?

Answer 229

These cards give the cardholder back a percentage of all transactions made on the card as cash. The cash reward is usually credited to the account once a year and is deducted from the amount the cardholder owes.

Question 230

What is the cashback rate on cashback cards?

Answer 230

Usually about 2%, but these cards often come with an annual fee (£12)

Question 231

How do charity credit cards work?

Answer 231

People can use these to donate to a particular charity. These will give an amount when the account is opened, and approx. 2% of any money spent on the card, to the charity. Both parties benefit the partnership.

Question 232

What are charity credit cards called and why?

Answer 232

Affinity cards, as they have the provider’s logo and the logo of the charity on the card as well

Question 233

What are the features of a first credit card?

Answer 233

APR is high and credit limits are low

Question 234

What do issuers often charge for each transaction on a card if you regularly go abroad?

Answer 234

3%

Question 235

Who are gold, platinum and black credit cards offered to?

Answer 235

People on very high incomes - they have high credit limits

Question 236

What are store credit cards?

Answer 236

Some retailers offer credit cards that can only be used in their own stores; these are branded with the stores name only and are not part of the Visa or MasterCard payment systems. The APRs on these cards tend to be higher.

Question 237

What are charge credit cards?

Answer 237

Credit cards that must be repaid in full every month. As people cannot borrow money beyond the interest-free period, charge cards do not charge interest. Issuers do charge fees, however, such as service fees, cash advance fees and annual fees.

Question 238

Why do the APRs on credit cards tend to be higher than those charged on a loan?

Answer 238

Lending money through a credit card is more risky for a provider than lending through a loan as it is possible for cardholders to spend more on credit cards than they can repay

Question 239

Why do people take out personal loans?

Answer 239

To be able to pay for expensive items now and spread the cost of the repayment over a long period of time

Question 240

What is the APR for a personal loan?

Answer 240

It is fixed for the term and determined by the borrower’s ability to repay

Question 241

What do the statements sent by loan providers to borrowers show?

Answer 241

The repayments made to date and the outstanding balance on the loan at least once a year

Question 242

What are the 4 features of personal loans to borrowers?

Answer 242

• Borrow a fixed amount of money
• Fixed period of time
• Fixed APR
• Fixed repayments made every month, easier to budget

Question 243

Why are personal loans more straightforward than borrowing by overdraft or credit card?

Answer 243

Because the repayments are a set amount each month

Question 244

What do overdrafts and credit cards offer borrowers that personal loans do not?

Answer 244

Greater flexibility

Question 245

When people apply to borrow money, what do providers check?

Answer 245

Their credit history - their record of borrowing and repaying money

Question 246

Who are credit history references checked with?

Answer 246

Agencies such as Experian, Equifax and Callcredit

Question 247

What do agencies such as Experian, Equifax and Callcredit record?

Answer 247

What individuals have borrowed over the last 6 years and how often they were late making payments. They also record defaults, county court judgements (CCJs) made against an individual for non-payment of debts, and bankruptcies.

Question 248

What do providers use credit history information for?

Answer 248

To decide whether or not to lend money to someone who has applied for a borrowing product and what terms - the APR, EAR, credit limit and repayment term

Question 249

What do people with poor credit histories usually find?

Answer 249

A provider will lend them money but they will usually have to pay more for the product

Question 250

What 6 factors should people consider when choosing borrowing products?

Answer 250

• How much they wish to borrow
• What they can afford to repay
• How often they can repay
• What the different borrowing options are
• What the cost of the different borrowing options are
• What the consequences of borrowing are

Question 251

What are the 5 main providers of short and medium term financial service products?

Answer 251

• Banks
• Building societies
• Post Office
• National Savings and Investments (NS&I)
• Credit Unions

Question 252

How do financial service providers make money?

Answer 252

By charging fees, such as overdraft fees and their interest rate margin

Question 253

What is the interest rate margin?

Answer 253

The difference between the interest rate charged on borrowing (APR and EAR) and the interest paid on savings (AER)

Question 254

What 3 things should people consider when choosing a financial services provider?

Answer 254

• The advantages and disadvantages of the type of provider
• How they wish to operate their account
• How safe their funds are (such as membership of FSCS)

Question 255

What are banks?

Answer 255

Banks are public limited companies (PLCs) that sell a wide range of financial products and services to businesses as well as customers

Question 256

What is the part of banks’ business that deals individual customers known as?

Answer 256

Retail banking

Question 257

What 5 things are people enabled to do from banks’ products and services?

Answer 257

• Make transactions
• Save
• Invest
• Borrow
• Protect themselves

Question 258

What 2 things do PLCs do?

Answer 258

• Raise money to fund their operations by selling shares on the stock market
• Pay dividends each year

Question 259

Who are the people that buy shares?

Answer 259

Shareholders - they own part of the organisation

Question 260

What are shareholders motivated to buy and keep shares by?

Answer 260

Receiving part of the profit that the bank makes - called ‘dividends’

Question 261

What do banks need to take into account when calculating their interest rate margin, and what could this result in?

Answer 261

The need to make dividend payments - this could result in higher interest rates for borrowers and that they pay lower rates to savers, than other types of providers

Question 262

Give 2 advantages of banks.

Answer 262

• Larger banks offer a wider range of products and services

- Larger banks have funds to invest into new products and services (e.g. First Direct)

Question 263

Who launched the first telephone and online operated bank, and when?

Answer 263

HSBC launched First Direct in 1989, which was open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Question 264

What did First Direct launch the first of and when?

Answer 264

A mobile banking app in 2011

Question 265

Who launched the first contactless payment cards?

Answer 265

Barclays

Question 266

Give 2 disadvantages of banks.

Answer 266

• Customer service may be less efficient than in smaller organisations
• Banks are global organisations and are susceptible to global financial problems (e.g. the 2007 ‘credit crunch’ affected many UK banks)

Question 267

What do all financial providers offer the protection of?

Answer 267

FSCS

Question 268

What are building societies?

Answer 268

Mutual organisations owned by their customers, who are called members

Question 269

What do building societies offer?

Answer 269

Mortgages, savings and more recently current accounts, credit cards and insurance

Question 270

Give 5 advantages of building societies.

Answer 270

• All customers are members who have a say in how the society is run (via voting at AGM)
• They do not have shareholders and therefore do not need to pay dividends from their profits (which increases a banks running costs)
• All profits made by the building society are used to benefit its members; this may enable building societies to charge lower interest rates on borrowing and pay higher rates on savings, than banks
• Better customer service and customer satisfaction; the mutual status is the main reason for this
• Much smaller than banks = more focus on customers

Question 271

Give 2 disadvantages of building societies.

Answer 271

• The size of building societies can be considered a disadvantage as well as an advantage as they are unlikely to spend the same amounts of money on research and development as large banks can
• They have to rely on partners to offer certain services such as insurance policies

Question 272

Why are building societies smaller organisations than banks?

Answer 272

• They operate mostly in the UK and often have a local focus
• At least 75% of their assets must be mortgages
• There are restrictions on the amount of unsecured loans that building societies can make

Question 273

What did building societies claim the restrictions on the amount of unsecured loans that they could make did?

Answer 273

Prevented them from growing and so they changed their mutual status to banks

Question 274

What is the process of building societies becoming banks called?

Answer 274

Demutualisation

Question 275

What happens normally when building societies become banks?

Answer 275

They become part of a larger organisation, not as individual providers

Question 276

How are credit unions similar to building societies?

Answer 276

They are also mutual organisations owned and run by the individuals who are members

Question 277

What is the key difference between credit unions and building societies?

Answer 277

The majority of credit union members must share a common bond

Question 278

What is a common bond?

Answer 278

An interest or circumstance shared by a group of people, for example working for the same employer or living in a certain area

Question 279

When were changed to credit unions made?

Answer 279

8th January 2012

Question 280

What changes were made to the law regarding credit unions?

Answer 280

• To offer membership to more than one group of people, reducing the focus on the common bond
• To include organisations such as community groups, businesses and social enterprises, as well as individuals
• But there are still restrictions on the amount of members for these groups, but the changes have allowed the option of more members so attracting more savings and being able to offer more loans

Question 281

What are the 4 products offered by credit unions?

Answer 281

• Savings and loans: they used to just pay dividends, if the credit union made a profit. But since the changes they can choose to offer a guaranteed interest rate.
• Life assurance
• Current account: cash or debit card
• Pre-paid payment card

Question 282

Give 4 advantages of credit unions.

Answer 282

• They have lower operating costs than other providers
• The profits are used for the benefit of the members, not external shareholders
• They provide a loyal, community focused service
• They inspire customer loyalty through the common bond

Question 283

Give 2 disadvantages of credit unions.

Answer 283

• Limited product range

- Limited size to loans

Question 284

When was National Savings and Investments (NS&I) given its name?

Answer 284

2002

Question 285

What are people doing when buying NS&I products?

Answer 285

They are lending money to the government

Question 286

What is done in return to people lending money to the government through buying NS&I products?

Answer 286

All the money in NS&I products is guaranteed to be 100% safe by the Treasury

Question 287

What NS&I products are offered?

Answer 287

• A cash ISA
• A savings account
• An investment account
• Income bonds
• Children’s bonds
• Premium bonds

Question 288

How much can be saved in premium bonds?

Answer 288

Between £100 and £30000 and funds can be withdrawn without penalty

Question 289

What are 2 features of premium bonds?

Answer 289

• The NS&I do not pay interest on them

- Every month Premium Bonds are selected at random to win a £1m jackpot and over 1 million other cash prizes

Question 290

Since what date can you only apply for and operate NS&I products online, by telephone and by post?

Answer 290

April 2013

Question 291

How many branches does the Post Office have in the UK?

Answer 291

11,000

Question 292

How many villages does the Post Office visit with its mobile vans?

Answer 292

168

Question 293

Who are the financial products and services offered by the Post Office provided by?

Answer 293

Its partner banks and insurance companies

Question 294

Give examples of the products and services offered by the Post Office.

Answer 294

• A current account, savings accounts, mortgages and a credit card (provided by Bank of Ireland UK)
• A budget card (provided by Bank of Ireland UK)
• Loans (provided by Bank of Ireland Personal Finance Limited)
• A Premier Cash ISA (provided by Family Investments with money deposited at Bank of Ireland UK)
• A card account to receive benefits, tax credits and pensions (provided by J.P. Morgan Europe Ltd)
• Home and car insurance policies (provided by BISL Ltd)
• Travel insurance (provided by Ageas)
• Life cover, including free new parent life cover (provided by Aviva Life and Pensions)
• Pet insurance (provided by AXA)

Question 295

What does the Post Office also allow?

Answer 295

Free deposits and withdrawals from most other UK banks at its branches and at its ATMs, and sells foreign currency with no commission fees

Question 296

Who are some of the products that are offered by the post office designed for in particular?

Answer 296

To meet the needs of people on low incomes

Question 297

How much does the Irish Deposit Compensation Scheme cover?

Answer 297

Amounts up to 100,000 euros

Question 298

What are the ‘Big 4’ banks in the UK?

Answer 298

Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group and RBS

Question 299

How do the ‘Big 4’ banks communicate?

Answer 299

Via branches, websites, online banking, telephone banking, post and mobile texts

Question 300

What are communication channels also known as?

Answer 300

Distribution channels

Question 301

Give 3 advantages of branches.

Answer 301

• Customers can gone in and talk to someone in person, which many customers prefer, especially the elderly
• The branch can advertise all of its products
• Branch staff offer a personal service

Question 302

Give 2 disadvantages of branches.

Answer 302

• The branches may not be convenient to visit, as they are open when most people are at work/school/uni
• They are expensive to run for the provider, the costs of this ends up being passed onto the customers, through higher product charges

Question 303

Give 5 advantages of online banking.

Answer 303

• Have access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Carry out banking transactions immediately, such as transfers between accounts and payments
• Research products
• Apply for products online
• The costs are much lower for the provider and these can be passed onto the customer

Question 304

Give 2 disadvantages of online banking.

Answer 304

• Security issues: although providers have introduced anti-fraud software, customer passwords and card readers
• Lack of personal contact to ask questions: providers now offer customers easy access to staff via the website. This may be via email, requesting a telephone call or FAQs

Question 305

Give 5 advantages of telephone banking.

Answer 305

• Customers can contact their bank from wherever they are
• The call centre has longer opening hours than branches, some are open 24 hours a day
• Call centres are less expensive to operate than branches for providers
• Customers can access specialist advice that is not available in branch (e.g. speaking to the credit card dept)
• Customers can ask questions to clarify concerns

Question 306

Give 2 disadvantages of telephone banking.

Answer 306

• Potential fraud: security systems are in place, such as passwords and details of the customer’s last statement
• Quality of customer service: problems such as difficulty getting through, the person answering the call does not always understand your question

Question 307

What is the main advantage of mobile banking?

Answer 307

It is quick and convenient for customers and providers

Question 308

What is the main disadvantage of mobile banking?

Answer 308

It requires sophisticated security to ensure date remains safe

Question 309

Give 3 advantages of postal banking.

Answer 309

• It delivers a physical message, which customers can spend time considering and keep for future reference
• Providers can use statement inserts to advertise their products
• Post is the most convenient way to return a signed contract or supply other paperwork

Question 310

Give 2 disadvantages of postal banking.

Answer 310

• It takes time for the information to arrive

- These is a potential risk of documents getting lost in transit

Question 311

What are the main 3 steps of choosing a financial product?

Answer 311

1) Assess personal circumstances to see which product you want
2) Research the best rates available - not only price
3) Choosing a provider

Question 312

What are the main 3 considerations of choosing a financial service provider?

Answer 312

1) Stay with existing provider or switch?
2) How do you wish to communicate with the provider?
3) What type of provider do you prefer?

Question 313

Who should someone with more than £85,000 to save choose to save with?

Answer 313

NS&I because their funds will be 100% safe

Question 314

What do the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority do?

Answer 314

They are the regulators that set out the rules providers must follow and supervise their operations

Question 315

What does the Financial Ombudsman Service do?

Answer 315

Handles customer complaints about providers

Question 316

What does the Financial Services Compensation Scheme do?

Answer 316

It will repay customers’ deposits of up to £85,000 if their provider cannot

Question 317

What does the Office of Fair Trading do?

Answer 317

Protects against unfair practise and authorises consumer credit providers

Question 318

What is the Lending Code?

Answer 318

Sets out how providers should act when offering and managing borrowing products

Question 319

What were many of the consumer protection measures than are now in force set up as a direct result of?

Answer 319

The global financial crisis that started in 2007 and is known as the ‘credit crunch’

Question 320

Give 3 causes of the 2007 credit crunch.

Answer 320

• Banks lent money to people who were likely to be unable to repay
• Banks used money from their retail business (i.e. for individuals) to pay the losses made by their investment operations (that buy stocks and shares and derivatives), so they did not have enough money to repay depositors when individuals wanted to withdraw
• The UK market was dominated by very large banking organisations that were considered ‘too large to fail’, whose going out of business would have been disastrous for the rest of the economy

Question 321

What was the response to the credit crunch?

Answer 321

The setting up of an Independent Commission on Banking by the Government - to recommend how such a situation could be avoided in the future

Question 322

What were the 5 key recommendations of the Independent Commission on Banking?

Answer 322

• Improve the regulation of providers
• Make sure banks are able to absorb losses
• Reduce the amount of risks banks take
• Separate retail banking from investment banking
• Make it easier and less costly to deal with banks in financial trouble

Question 323

What was the first legislation to implement the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Banking to be passed by the Government, and when?

Answer 323

The Financial Services Act, on 19th December 2012, which came into force on 1st April 2013

Question 324

When was the Financial Services Bill introduced, and what does it focus on?

Answer 324

4th Feb 2013, focusing on the structure of the UK banking sector

Question 325

What were the 3 main changes included in the Financial Services Bill?

Answer 325

• UK banks must separate everyday banking activities from more risky investment bank activities, such as trading in stocks and shares (ring-fencing)
• Depositors who are covered under Financial Services Compensation Scheme must be repaid as a priority if the bank fails
• The government will have powers to ensure that banks can absorb losses more easily

Question 326

What is regulation?

Answer 326

The process of supervising the actions and businesses of financial services providers. It also promotes consumer confidence and protects people from dishonest, incompetent or financially unstable providers.

Question 327

What is the Financial Policy Committee (FPC)?

Answer 327

Part of the Bank of England - monitors and responds to risks posed to the whole of the financial services market.

Question 328

Why is the Financial Policy Committee (FPC) called a macro-prudential authority?

Answer 328

Because it looks at problems that could arise for the market as a whole, rather than individual providers

Question 329

What role does the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Treasury have in the regulatory system?

Answer 329

Has powers to direct the Bank of England to take action if there is a serious threat to the financial stability of the market and public funds (such as the money raised from taxes) are at risk

Question 330

What does Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) look at?

Answer 330

The risk that individual providers might present to the stability of the financial services market

Question 331

What conditions are included in the requirement that providers must meet to manage risk?

Answer 331

• Holding enough cash (liquidity) and having enough capital (funds) to absorb a certain level of losses
• Having suitable management
• Being fit and proper
• Conducting business prudently, i.e. managing risk well to ensure the business is safe and sound

Question 332

Which 3 bodies is the work of the regulatory system supported by?

Answer 332

• FOS
• FSCS
• Money Advice Service

Question 333

Give 2 examples of actions that the PRA could take and have taken.

Answer 333

• It has required banks to raise extra capital from their shareholders so that they are less likely to fail in a crisis
• It could require providers to change their lending criteria if it judges they are lending to people or businesses that cannot repay the loans

Question 334

What is the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) responsible for?

Answer 334

Making sure that all providers conduct their businesses in a way that benefits consumers and the market as a whole

Question 335

What are the 3 objectives of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) set out in the Financial Services Act?

Answer 335

• To protect consumers
• Enhance the integrity of the UK Financial System
• Help to maintain competitive markets and promote effective competition in the interests of consumers

Question 336

Give 3 examples of actions that the FCA could take when it discovers providers have broken rules relating to the way they carry out their business activities

Answer 336

• Imposing fines on providers
• Taking senior managers to court
• Pressing for compensation for consumers

Question 337

What is the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) funded by?

Answer 337

Levies on providers and case fees paid by providers that have complaints brought against them

Question 338

What can the FOS order providers to pay?

Answer 338

Compensation up to a maximum of £150,000

Question 339

What are the 3 steps that customers that wish to make a complaint about their provider should do?

Answer 339

1) Customers should write to the provider about the problem, if no satisfactory reply, take matter to FOS
2) Contact FOS within 6 months of having response from provider
3) Still not happy, take matter to court

Question 340

What is the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) funded by?

Answer 340

Levies imposed on providers, made in proportion to the size of the provider

Question 341

On 1st April 2014, which company took over some of the role of the Office of Fair Trading?

Answer 341

FCA

Question 342

Give an example of an action taken by the OFT?

Answer 342

Susending or removing a provider’s credit licence

Question 343

Who was a current account switching service launched by and when?

Answer 343

The Payments Council, implemented in 2013

Question 344

As well as formal regulation, how do providers regulate themselves?

Answer 344

By agreeing voluntary codes of conduct, e.g. the Lending Code, which sets out minimum standards of good practise for banks, building codes and credit card providers

Question 345

Give examples of what is included in the Lending Code.

Answer 345

• Advertising that is fair and not misleading
• Giving customers information before, at and after sale about how products work, including terms and conditions, interest rates and charges
• Giving customers information about changes to their product/service, such as changes in interest rates
• Lending responsibly
• Dealing with customers quickly and sympathetically when things go wrong
• Keeping personal information on customers private and confidential and providing secure and reliable banking and payment system
• Training their staff to put the Code into practice

Question 346

What are the 3 main tools people can use to manage their finances?

Answer 346

• Budgets
• Cash flow forecasts
• Records of actual income and expenditure and any difference between the planned and actual figures

Question 347

What is a budget?

Answer 347

A financial plan that shows a person’s income and expenditure for a defined period of time, e.g. a month

Question 348

What are the 3 main decisions that can be made after making a budget?

Answer 348

• What you can afford to spend, repay and/or save
• What your financial priorities and goals are
• What to do if you’re spending more than you’re receiving

Question 349

What are the main components of a budget?

Answer 349

Income, expenditure over a specific period of time and the difference between the 2 figures, which is the balance

Question 350

What does income mean?

Answer 350

Money received and it includes money coming in from all sources, both earned and unearned

Question 351

Where is earned income from?

Answer 351

Work on either an employed or self-employed basis

Question 352

Give 3 examples of earned income on an employed basis and 2 on a self-employed basis.

Answer 352

Employed

• Weekly income or monthly income
• Basic income plus bonus
• Basic income plus commission

Self-employed

• E.G. A painter gets paid a deposit and the rest at the end of the job
• E.G. A physiotherapist gets paid per treatment

Question 353

Give 7 examples of unearned income - from any source that is not work.

Answer 353

• Benefits
• State and private pensions
• Interest on savings
• Dividends
• Allowances paid by family members
• Financial gifts (e.g. xmas)
• One off payments (e.g. win on premium bonds, inheritance)

Question 354

What are the 3 broad categories that expenditure falls into?

Answer 354

• Mandatory
• Essential
• Discretionary

Question 355

What does mandatory expenditure mean?

Answer 355

The payments are compulsory, they do not necessarily apply to everyone, but if they do apply they must be paid

Question 356

Give 4 examples of mandatory expenditure.

Answer 356

• Income tax and National Insurance contributions (once these have been deducted this is referred to as net income)
• Council tax, a payment made to the local authority towards the cost of local facilities (the amount you pay depends on the value of your home)
• TV licence
• Motor insurance, road tax and MOT; these are a legal requirement for everyone who drives on public roads

Question 357

What is essential expenditure?

Answer 357

Spending on items that people need to live

Question 358

Give examples of essential expenditure.

Answer 358

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Food or drink
• Water supplier
• Gas and electricity suppliers
• Basic clothing
• Travel to work (petrol)
• Loan repayments (these are essential expenditure to maintain a good credit history)
• Mobile repayments
• Personal pension payments
• Insurance (buildings and content insurance, breakdown cover, life assurance)

Question 359

What is discretionary expenditure?

Answer 359

Voluntary expenditure on products and services that people want now and saving towards items that they aspire to buy in the future

Question 360

Give examples of discretionary expenditure.

Answer 360

• Fashion items
• Meals in cafes and restaurants
• Cinema tickets
• Music downloads, DVDs and games
• Holidays
• Driving lessons

Question 361

What is the budget if the balance is zero?

Answer 361

The budget is balanced, with all income assigned to be used on making payments, repaying borrowing or saving

Question 362

What is the budget if the balance is positive?

Answer 362

Means that the budget is in surplus and there is money available to increasing spending, make larger debt repayments, if applicable, or to save. People with budgets that are balanced or have a surplus are described as living within their means.

Question 363

What is the budget is the balance is negative?

Answer 363

Means the budget is in deficit. If people calculate their budget and discover that outgoings are greater than incomings, they can choose to increase income (if possible), decrease spending or borrow.

Question 364

How can people monitor their incomings and outgoings?

Answer 364

People can view current accounts and credit card transactions online and on paper statements, keep receipts, record transactions and check account balances on ATM

Question 365

Give 3 examples of what someone could do if their actual budget is in deficit?

Answer 365

• Increase their income by working more hours, if possible
• Cut back on spending
• Borrow money

Question 366

What 5 things can people use cash forecasting for?

Answer 366

• To predict outgoings and incomings

To identify:

• When irregular income will be received
• When unusually large payments must be made
• Options for how to finance short-term deficits
• When they might have surpluses they can use to save or to make larger repayments on debts

Question 367

What do people need to consider when people budget and forecast their cash flow?

Answer 367

The impact that the cost of living will have on their outgoings, such as housing costs, like mortgages and rents, fuel costs, gas and electricity, food costs

Question 368

What are insurance policies?

Answer 368

Financial products designed to protect people from the financial losses associated with unexpected events

Question 369

What are the 4 main types of insurance?

Answer 369

• General insurance
• Life cover
• Health insurance
• Pensions policies

Question 370

What are 2 other ways that people can deal with the risk of losses due to unexpected events, other than buying insurance?

Answer 370

• Saving for emergencies

- Borrowing to make repairs or replace items

Question 371

What is the price of an insurance policy called?

Answer 371

A premium

Question 372

What are the 5 things that a premium is based on?

Answer 372

• How likely the events is to occur
• The amount of money needed to put things right
• The length of time the policy will be in force
• The voluntary excess
• How the premium is paid (one payment or in monthly instalments)

Question 373

How do insurance companies calculate the risk of an event happening?

Answer 373

They require detailed information from the person applying to buy the insurance

Question 374

What do people who have insurance but do not claim receive?

Answer 374

They build up no claims discount for each year they do not claim

Question 375

What lowers the premium?

Answer 375

A higher no claims

Question 376

What 7 questions are you asked when applying for motor insurance?

Answer 376

1) Where you live
2) Do you have off street parking
3) Age
4) How long you’ve been driving
5) Details of penalty points or convictions
6) Whether you have made a claim on a motor insurance policy in the past
7) What sort of car you drive

Since Dec 2012, gender no longer determines a premium

Question 377

What are most insurance premiums subject to?

Answer 377

Insurance premium tax

Question 378

What is the most common tax on an insurance premium?

Answer 378

6%

Question 379

What is the tax on travel insurance premiums?

Answer 379

20%

Question 380

What happens if someone enters misleading information on an application form for insurance?

Answer 380

The insurance policy is void and the insurer will refuse any claims made on it

Question 381

When did the Consumer Insurance Act 2012 come into force?

Answer 381

April 2013

Question 382

What is the Consumer Insurance Act 2012?

Answer 382

The act makes it the insurer’s responsibility to ask for all the information they require to calculate the premium - it is hoped that far fewer claims will be rejected on the basis of failure to disclose information

Question 383

What 2 things do people receive when they have paid the insurance premium?

Answer 383

• Policy documents (this covers what is in the policy and the terms and conditions)
• Certificate of insurance (details who the policyholder is an provides a summary of the cover given; this is the proof that the policyholder is covered, and will include a policy number)

Question 384

At what 2 times are the policy documents and certificate of insurance needed?

Answer 384

• Following an accident

- When buying road tax

Question 385

What was made compulsory in the Road Traffic Act 1988?

Answer 385

For people who drive to have at least third-party motor insurance

Question 386

What is third-party insurance?

Answer 386

Insurance that covers damage that the policyholder causes to someone else (the third party) or to their property but does not cover the policyholder for any injury or loss that they suffer themselves

Question 387

What is comprehensive motor insurance?

Answer 387

All third party and fire and theft items and accidental damage to the drivers car, personal accidents benefits, medical expenses, loss or damage to personal possessions

Question 388

What are some premiums quoted with?

Answer 388

Standard ‘extra’ services such as cover for legal costs

Question 389

What happens to people that are caught driving without insurance?

Answer 389

They can be fined £200 and given 6 penalty points on their driving licence; if the case goes to court they can be fined up to an additional £5000 and disqualified from driving

Question 390

How can people who don’t drive very much reduct the costs of insurance?

Answer 390

By choosing a pay-as-you-go policy

Question 391

How does a pay-as-you-go insurance policy work?

Answer 391

The insurer fits a GPS tracking device, sometimes called a ‘black box’ to the car - this record the amount of miles driven and the driving habits in terms of speed, the type of road, the time the journey is made in and how the driver is braking and cornering. This information is sent to the insurer by satellite and is used to charge insurance on a per-mile cost. They may not work out cheaper if the driver travels in peak hours. Also some insurers charge a fee for the black box and/or installing it in a car.

Question 392

Give examples of ways to reduce the cost of motor insurance.

Answer 392

• Shop around and compare details of what is covered by the policy
• Fit an approved alarm or immobiliser
• Keep a car in a garage
• Pay a voluntary excess
• Only use the vehicle for social, domestic and pleasure purposes, as business increases the premium
• Take an advanced driving course
• Pay the premium in a one off payment
• Drive a low powered car

Question 393

What does buildings insurance cover?

Answer 393

The cost of repairing or rebuilding a property if it is damaged or destroyed. The policy will need to cover the cost of rebuilding the property. Most mortgage lenders will insist that borrowers take out building insurance to protect the property on which the mortgage is secured.

Question 394

What does contents insurance cover?

Answer 394

Belongings kept in the home that people can take with them when they move, such as TVs

Question 395

What can policyholders pay extra and receive cover for?

Answer 395

Accidental damage or loss

Question 396

What are the 3 other types of insurance?

Answer 396

• Pet insurance
• Travel insurance (covers medical costs, replacing luggage and belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged)
• Mobile phone insurance (covers loss or damage to mobiles)

Question 397

Give 4 other ways to deal with unexpected expenses.

Answer 397

• Revising budgets (adjust discretionary expenditure)
• Saving (the Money Advice Service suggests having enough in emergency funds to pay for mandatory and essential expenses for three months)
• Borrowing (using short term methods, overdraft, personal loan or credit cards)
• Benefits (JSA, Incapacity benefits)

Question 398

What are the 4 main ways to deal with unexpected income?

Answer 398

• Save it?
• Pay back borrowing?
• Spend it?
• Create emergency fund?

Question 399

What is the Money Advice Service (MAS)?

Answer 399

An independent organisation set up by the government to help people to understand financial issues and manage money better. It provides advice online, over the phone and face to face.

Question 400

What is the StepChange debt charity?

Answer 400

This gives free debt advice, online and by telephone to help people prepare a budget and work out a plan to reduct their debts

Question 401

What is Citizens Advice?

Answer 401

This is made up of a network of Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales. This service provides free, independent, face to face advice on a range of issues.

Question 402

What is National Debtline?

Answer 402

A free, confidential and independent service providing personalised debt advice by phone, email or using the online tool ‘My Money Steps’. It also provides a range of fact sheets.

Question 403

Give 5 examples of actions that people could consider in situations where they find it more difficult to repay debt.

Answer 403

• Getting free, impartial advice from debt organisations and websites
• Using a budget to calculate what they can afford to repay and changing products or negotiating agreements with lenders to repay a smaller, affordable amount each month
• Selling an asset such as a car or jewellery and using the proceeds to repay debts
• Prioritising debts in terms of the consequences of not repaying and the cost of the borrowing (APR and fees)
• Using formal debt management processes such as a debt relief order (DRO), an individual voluntary agreement (IVA) and bankruptcy.

Question 404

Give 4 examples of organisations that provide free, impartial debt advice.

Answer 404

• Money Advice Service (MAS)
• StepChange Debt Charity
• Citizens Advice
• National Debtline

Question 405

How may people who are finding it difficult to repay debt be able to increase their income?

Answer 405

• Claiming all the benefits they are entitled to
• Selling an asset
• Taking on more work

Question 406

How can people work out a realistic payment plan for debt repayments?

Answer 406

On their own or get free help from experienced advisers, such as Citizens Advice or the StepChange Debt Charity

Question 407

In what way can people with a good credit rating reduce credit card debts?

Answer 407

By switching credit card debt to a card that does not charge interest on balance transfers - this stops the original debt growing and gives the borrower time to repay, but this only works if the borrower does not make any new transactions and can afford to repay within the interest-free period

Question 408

What can people who are struggling to repay a loan do?

Answer 408

They may wish to consider extending the term of the loan - however they need to consider that repaying over a longer period of time will reduce the monthly payments but increase the overall cost of the loan

Question 409

What can people with a number of different debts, such as an overdraft and several credit cards do?

Answer 409

They may consider taking out a loan and using the funds to repay all the other debts, so they have just one monthly payment to make. However, it is important that borrowers consider that the interest rate could be higher on this type of loan and they must be able to afford the repayments.

This approach will not work if people continue to borrow on their credit cards and overdrafts, as the debts will grow again. Also, sometimes these loans are secured on the borrower’s house. This means the borrower could lose their home if they do not repay on time and in full.

Question 410

What is important if people owe money on a number of different borrowing products?

Answer 410

That they prioritise the most expensive debt first so that they reduce the cost of the borrowing as quickly as possible

Question 411

What is usually the most expensive borrowing?

Answer 411

Credit cards and unauthorised overdrafts - but if people have borrowed from payday lenders or doorstep lenders these are by far the most expensive

Question 412

How may someone be able to obtain a loan when they find it difficult to get it approved?

Answer 412

By using a guarantor - this means that the guarantor is legally obliged to pay the loan payments if the borrow misses a payment

Question 413

What can people that find they have many debts and are struggling to repay all of them do?

Answer 413

Set up a debt management plan with a debt management company (DMC)

Question 414

How does a debt management company work?

Answer 414

People pay the DMC what they can afford each month and the DMC divides this payment among the organisations that are owed money - this means that the person in debt (debtor) does not need to deal with the organisations that they owe money to (creditors)

Question 415

Who are debt management plans offered by?

Answer 415

Charities such as StepChange Debt Charity and Payplan, free of charge (most other organisations charge fees)

Question 416

Give 3 advantages of a debt management plan.

Answer 416

• The person in debt makes one affordable monthly payment to the DMC, which is easier for them to manage
• The DMC arranges the plan and shares the monthly payment between them
• The person in debt has longer to repay what they owe

Question 417

Give 4 disadvantages of a debt management plan.

Answer 417

• DMCs only deal with non-priority debts such as repayments on loans, mortgages and rent arrears
• Creditors might still contact the person who owes them money and ask for further payments
• Creditors do not have to accept a debt management plan
• The debt will take longer to clear because the monthly repayments are smaller. However, many creditors will stop adding interest and fees to the debt as long as the repayments are being made.

Question 418

What are repayment plans that are arranged by county courts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland called?

Answer 418

Administration orders

Question 419

Who do administration orders apply to?

Answer 419

People who have less than £5000 in unsecured debt and at least one county court judgement (CCJ) against them

Question 420

How do administration orders work?

Answer 420

People can apply to the court to have an administration order issued. They then pay what the court decides they can afford to the court once a month, and the court makes repayments to their creditors.

Question 421

Give 3 advantages of administration orders.

Answer 421

• The person who owes money makes one monthly repayment that they can afford
• Creditors are not permitted to contact debtors directly to ask for further payments and they are not permitted to add interest to the debt
• If the debtor cannot repay the debt in a reasonable time, the court can set an end date for the administration order. Creditors must write off any debt that is still outstanding after this time. The court agrees that the debtor will not repay all of the debt by issuing a composition order.

Question 422

What is the main disadvantage of an administration order?

Answer 422

The court decides what the debtor can afford to repay and this may mean that the debtor has to live on a very tight budget while the debt is being repaid

Question 423

Why are people insolvent?

Answer 423

If they cannot repay what they owe because their debts are greater than their assets (property and goods that they own)

Question 424

What are the 3 solutions for insolvency in England, Wales and Northern Ireland called?

Answer 424

• Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs)
• Debt Relief Orders (DROs)
• Bankruptcy

Question 425

What is an Individual Voluntary Arrangement?

Answer 425

Under an IVA people make reduced, affordable repayments for 5 to 6 years and then their debt is written off - IVAs are legally binding arrangements on debtors and creditors

Question 426

Who do IVAs apply to?

Answer 426

People who have unsecured debts that are larger than the value of their assets

Question 427

How do IVAs work?

Answer 427

An insolvency practicioner (IP) negotiated the arrangement with the person’s creditors. As long as the creditors who hold 75% of the debt agree, the IVA can proceed. If they do not agree, or the person who owes money does not keep up the repayments, the person can be made bankrupt.

Question 428

Give 5 advantages of an IVA.

Answer 428

• Debtors can make affordable repayments for a set period of time
• Outstanding debt is written off
• An IP (usually a solicitor or accountant) negotiates with creditors on the debtor’s behalf
• Creditors cannot add any more interest or charge to the debt
• Creditors cannot take court action against the debtor

Question 429

Give 2 disadvantages of an IVA.

Answer 429

• The IVA cannot proceed if the creditors that hold 75% of the debt don’t agree
• If the debtor doesn’t keep up payments the person will be made bankrupt

Question 430

What do Debt Relief Orders (DROs) enable people to do?

Answer 430

Write off their debts if they are unable to repay them after 12 months

Question 431

Who do Debt Relief Orders (DROs) apply to?

Answer 431

People who:

• Owe less than £15,000 in unsecured debts (DROs do not apply to student loans)
• Are not homeowners
• Have no more than £300 in assets (although they can own one vehicle worth up to £1000)
• Have less than £50 a month left over after they have paid their living expenses

Question 432

What must debtors pay for the DRO?

Answer 432

£90

Question 433

Who must debtors apply to for a DRO?

Answer 433

The courts through an authorised adviser

Question 434

How long are debts in a DRO frozen for?

Answer 434

12 months, so creditors cannot add any interest or charges to them (creditors are not permitted to contact the debtor to ask for payment during this time)

Question 435

What happens to the debt if the debtor’s ability to repay has not changed after 12 months in a DRO?

Answer 435

It is written off

Question 436

Give 4 advantages of a DRO.

Answer 436

• Household goods and tools of the trade are not included in the asset calculation
• It gives the debtor time to change their personal circumstances if they can, e.g. finding work
• Debtors will not be pressurised to repay during the 12 month period and their debt will not grow
• It is a cheaper insolvency solution than bankruptcy for people who have low incomes

Question 437

Give 2 disadvantages of a DRO.

Answer 437

• It stays on a person’s credit history for 6 years and will make it difficult for them to borrow money during this time
• The cost of £90, although lower than other options, can be difficult for people on very low incomes to pay

Question 438

What is bankruptcy?

Answer 438

A court order that means a person’s assets are shared between their creditors who write off the remaining debt

Question 439

Who is appointed in the bankruptcy process?

Answer 439

An official receiver is appointed who can sell the person’s assets and use any savings and the debtor’s income to repay creditors

Question 440

Who can apply to become bankruptcy?

Answer 440

The person themselves, or one of their creditors can apply to make them bankruptcy

Question 441

What is the bankruptcy fee in England and Wales?

Answer 441

£700

Question 442

What is the bankruptcy fee in Northern Ireland?

Answer 442

£647

Question 443

What bankruptcy fee may people on low incomes and benefits be charged?

Answer 443

£525 in England and Wales, and £532 in Northern Ireland

Question 444

Give 4 advantages of going bankrupt.

Answer 444

• Debtors do not deal with the creditors directly
• Debts can be written off in 12 months
• Debtors keep certain possessions
• When bankruptcy is over, debtors have a fresh start

Question 445

Give 10 disadvantages of going bankrupt.

Answer 445

• There are costs involved
• Debtors cannot apply for more credit while they are bankrupt
• Debtors can only use basic bank accounts as they cannot go overdrawn
• The record of bankruptcy remains on the debtor’s credit history for 6 years, after the start of bankruptcy. This makes it difficult to obtain credit during this time.
• Many of the debtors assets have to be sold to repay their debts, including their home and car
• Details of bankruptcy are published and may be recorded in the media
• Some debts such as student loans and court fees are never written off
• If the court considers the debtor never intended to repay the debts or did not cooperate with the official receiver, it can issue a bankruptcy restriction order that lasts for 15 years
• People who have been declared bankrupt are barred from occupations, e.g. financial services - so the debtor would lose their job in this instance
• Debtors who own a business normally see it closed down

Question 446

What are the 4 insolvency solutions in Scotland?

Answer 446

• Debt payment programme
• Trust deed
• Low income low assets (LILA) bankruptcy
• Sequestration

Question 447

What is the Dept Payment Programme (DPP)?

Answer 447

Run by the Scottish government and is similar to a debt management plan. People must owe money to one creditor or more and must be able to afford some repayments. They make payments to the programme, which are then shared among creditors.

Question 448

What is a Trust Deed?

Answer 448

This is similar to an individual voluntary agreement (IVA). An insolvency practitioner helps people who are insolvent to make repayments they can afford and after 3 years any outstanding debt is written off.

Question 449

What is low income low assets (LILA) bankruptcy?

Answer 449

This is similar to a debt relief order. An accountant in bankruptcy deals with the bankruptcy, using the debtor’s assets to repay creditors and writing off unsecured debts after 12 months.

Question 450

Who does low income low assets (LILA) bankruptcy only apply to?

Answer 450

People who:

• Earn the standard minimum wage for a 40 hour week
• Own less than £10,000 worth of assets, with no one asset worth more than £1,000
• Do not own property

Question 451

What does a LILA bankruptcy cost?

Answer 451

£200

Question 452

What is sequestration?

Answer 452

Sequestration is the term for bankruptcy in Scotland. It applies to people who owe more than £1,500, have not been bankrupt in the last 5 years and have had judgements for payment made against them.

Question 453

What does sequestration cost and how long does it usually last?

Answer 453

Costs £200 and usually lasts 12 months

Question 454

When was the National Minimum Wage (NMW) introduced?

Answer 454

1998

Question 455

When does the National Minimum Wage apply from?

Answer 455

1st October in one calendar year to 30 September in the following year

Question 456

What age must people be to get the minimum wage?

Answer 456

Of school leaving age, the last Friday in June in the school year when they had their sixteenth birthday

Question 457

What is the National Minimum Wage for people aged 21 and over?

Answer 457

£6.50

Question 458

What is the National Minimum Wage for people aged 18 to 20?

Answer 458

£5.13

Question 459

What is the National Minimum Wage for people aged under 18?

Answer 459

£3.79

Question 460

What is the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices under 19 or in their first year?

Answer 460

£2.73

Question 461

Give examples of exceptions to the National Minimum Wage.

Answer 461

• People on work experience who are not trainees such as interns
• Trainees on some government schemes
• Prisoners
• Members of the armed forces

Question 462

What can an employee do if they are entitled to the National Minimum Wage but are not receiving it?

Answer 462

Take their employer to an industrial tribunal; the government also offers a confidential helpline for workers who are in dispute

Question 463

What are ‘zero hours’ contracts?

Answer 463

These mean that people agree to be available for work as and when required but do not have any guarantee of hours or times of work. Workers who have these contracts are entitled to the National Minimum Wage when they are ‘on call’ at the employers premises. It is illegal for employers to insist these workers are on site and then not use them and refuse to pay them.

Question 464

What terms were specified in the working time regulations introduced in 1998?

Answer 464

• An employee can work a maximum of 48 hours, averaged over 17 weeks, unless they choose to work longer
• An employer, who works 5 days a week, is entitled to at least 5.6 weeks paid holiday per year. Employers can choose to include bank holidays in this figure. A part timer is entitled to a pro-rata equivalent (E.G. 3 days x 5.6 days = 16.8 days per year)
• An employee is entitled to at least 11 hours consecutive hours rest in any 24 hour period
• If the working day is longer than 6 hours, they are entitled to a 20 minute rest or lunch break
• An employee is entitled to at least one day off each week

Question 465

To which people do the working time regulations not apply to?

Answer 465

The armed forces, emergency services, domestic workers in households (like nannies) or where 24 hour staffing is required

Question 466

Where should an employee’s working hours, annual leave and rest periods be set out?

Answer 466

In the employee’s contract of employment

Question 467

What must everyone who receives an earned or unearned income pay?

Answer 467

Income tax and National Insurance contributions once they earn more than a minimum amount called a personal allowance

Question 468

What determines whether people pay tax?

Answer 468

The amount they earn

Question 469

What is the personal allowance for 2014/15?

Answer 469

£10,000

Question 470

How do people calculate how much income tax they owe?

Answer 470

By:

• Subtracting their personal allowance from their gross annual income to find their taxable income
• Working out which tax band applies to their taxable income
• Calculating the amount of tax using the tax rates for each band

Question 471

What are the tax rates and bands for 2014/15?

Answer 471

£0 - £31,865 = Basic Rate 20%
£31,866 - £150,000 = Higher Rate 40%
> £150,000 = Additional Rate 45%

Question 472

What are the income tax rates and bands charged on savings interest for 2013/14?

Answer 472

£0 - £2,880 = Starting Rate 10%
£2,881 - £31,865 = Basic Rate 20%
£31,866 - £150,000 = Higher Rate 40%
> £150,000 = Additional Rate 45%

Question 473

What can savers in the position of being automatically deducted 20% tax from their savings interest do?

Answer 473

Claim back the overpayment of tax that their provider has made by contacting the financial provider or the HMRC

Question 474

What is the 20% tax paid by the provider called for savers who fall into the basic rate?

Answer 474

Income tax deducted at source

Question 475

Who can pay National Insurance contributions?

Answer 475

People who work if they are:

• Aged between 16 and the state pension age
• An employee earning more than £153 per week
• Self-emploued and making a profit over £5885 a year

Question 476

What can the amount of national insurance contributions you make influence?

Answer 476

Your entitlement to state benefits, such as JSA and bereavement benefits

Question 477

What will the government introduce from April 2016?

Answer 477

A flat-rate state pension of about £144 per week that all pensioners will receive, regardless of their contributions

Question 478

What does the amount of National Insurance that an individual pay depend on?

Answer 478

Their employment status and income:

• Employees pay Class 1 contributions of 12% on earnings between £153 and £805 per week, an 2% on earnings over £805 per week
• Self-employed people pay:
  a) Class 2 contributions at a flat rate of £2.75 per week
  b) Class 4 contributions of 9% on annual taxable profits between £7,956 and £41,865, and 2% above that

Question 479

What are employees’ income tax and NI contributions paid by their employer direct to the HMRC through?

Answer 479

PAYE (pay as you earn) scheme - the employer paid the employee net of these contributions

Question 480

What must self-employed people complete for tax and NI?

Answer 480

A self-assessment - this involves completing tax forms called tax returns once a year

Question 481

What comes under the Employment Rights Act 1996?

Answer 481

The fact that employers must provide employees with details about income tax and National Insurance paid on their wages

Question 482

What are the 3 documents involved in the detailing of income tax and NI paid by employees?

Answer 482

• A payslip
• A P60
• A P45

Question 483

What must a payslip show?

Answer 483

Earnings before and after deductions, explain the deductions and show how the wage is paid

Question 484

How do employers work out how much tax to deduct from earnings?

Answer 484

Using a tax code - these are 4 numbers and a letter

Question 485

What is a P45 and what does it show?

Answer 485

By law an employer has to provide a P45 to an employee when they stop working for them - which shows;

• Tax code and PAYE reference number
• NI number
• Leaving date
• Earnings in the tax year so far
• Tax paid so far

Question 486

What can an employee use a P45 for?

Answer 486

They can give this to their new employer, so they can calculate how much income tax and National Insurance needs to be deducted

Question 487

What is a P60?

Answer 487

An employer must issue this at the end of every tax year - it summarises the tax paid by the employer for the tax year that has just ended

Question 488

What can employees use P60s for?

Answer 488

To prove how much they have earned and how much income tax and NI contributions have been deducted from their salary

Question 489

What 4 things may an employee need the information provided by a P60 for?

Answer 489

• Complete a self-assessment tax return
• Claim back overpaid income tax or NI contributions
• Apply for tax credits
• Apply for a loan or mortgage

Question 490

What does the tax return that is completed by some people tell the HMRC?

Answer 490

About their earned and unearned income (e.g. people who are self-employed or need to pay extra tax on their savings interest)

Question 491

What does a tax return cover?

Answer 491

Income received in one tax year which is 6 April to 5 April the following year

Question 492

How can a tax return be completed?

Answer 492

Online or on paper

Question 493

How is the tax owned by people who complete tax returns?

Answer 493

They do not calculate it - HMRC will calculate it on the basis of the figures entered on the tax return

Question 494

What are the 3 deadlines for when the HMRC must receive a completed tax return and when people must pay the money they owe?

Answer 494

• Paper returns must be received by midnight on the following 31st October
• Online tax returns must be received by midnight on the following 31st January
• The final payment of tax due must be received by midnight on 31st January

Question 495

What do people need before they can set up an account to complete tax returns online?

Answer 495

An activation code - although it takes time for the HMRC to send this, so it is important to plan ahead if they are to meet the online return deadline

Question 496

For how long should people keep records that relate to the tax return?

Answer 496

At least 22 months after the end of the tax year

Question 497

As well as completing tax returns and paying what they owe on time, what else do self-employed people need to do?

Answer 497

Make payments ‘on account’

Question 498

What does payments ‘on account’ mean?

Answer 498

That people make advance payments on the tax they owe for the next tax return on 31st January and 31st July

Question 499

When must payments on account be made?

Answer 499

If the tax due will be more than £1000 and 80% or less has been collected at source

Question 500

How are payments on account calculated?

Answer 500

As half the previous year’s tax bill