Money Box – Renting in Retirement and Wildlife Bank Notes

The issue of affordable housing in retirement is becoming increasingly concerning for many people in the UK. A recent study conducted by Royal London revealed that around six million individuals anticipate struggling to cover their housing costs once they have retired. This equates to approximately one-third of UK adults who are either currently paying rent or a mortgage, or expect to do so in the future.

One potential solution to this problem lies in the installation of solar panels on homes and businesses. The UK has seen a record number of solar panel installations in recent years, with this trend expected to continue as electricity prices are set to rise on July 1st. Solar panels not only help reduce electricity bills but also allow homeowners to sell excess energy back to suppliers, providing an additional source of income to help cover heating costs.

In other news, the Bank of England is considering replacing the current human figures on banknotes with images of various species of wildlife. A panel of wildlife experts has compiled a shortlist of 18 mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, and fish that could potentially feature on future banknotes. We will be speaking to Bank of England Chief Cashier Victoria Cleland to discuss the reasoning behind this proposed change.

Overall, the issue of affordable housing in retirement is a growing concern for many UK adults, but solutions such as solar panel installations and innovative changes to banknotes could provide some relief. Stay tuned for more updates on these important issues.

– Paul Lewis, Dan Whitworth, and Jo Krasner reporting
– Catherine Lund conducting research
– Jess Quayle editing
– Sara Wadeson overseeing as Senior News Editor

(Originally aired on Radio 4 at 12pm on Saturday, June 13th, 2026)