Christmas Debt

Money Box

For many households, Christmas is the most expensive time of year. Food, drink, presents - the list of things to spend money on can be endless. Many of us will be using debt as a way to make that spending happen. Figures this week show that there is so much unmanageable and unsustainable debt in the UK that just the fees and charges on it all work out at nearly £1000 for every single adult in the UK.

People who are second cardholders on a Nationwide credit card account are being prevented from making online purchases because of new customer identity checks. These checks are being phased in under new European regulations which insist on a second line of identification when we buy things online. It's called 'Strong Customer Authentication'. Usually that means a six digit code is sent by text to your mobile to enter online but for certain accounts with more than one card holder, these texts are only going to the primary account holder.

Investors in one of the UK's biggest commercial property funds run by M&G have been temporarily prevented from taking out their money. The fund owns offices, and shopping centres and whole High Streets of retail units. They have been having a difficult time with many going bust or demanding rent cuts to stay in business. But what does this mean for investors - those invested directly and indirectly via a pension fund?

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Producer: Alex Lewis Editor: Emma Rippon