This is Money Podcast

Inflation is back on the rise again and it is forecast to keep going up. What does this mean for our finances and how bad are things going to get? Meanwhile, the Budget is looming and while it's certainly been a much quiter build-up this year, can we be sure that there's no bad news lurking? On this week's podcast Georgie Frost, Rache Rickard Straus and Simon Lambert unpick what's going on and look at where we could end up next. Plus, are we seeing rent controls by the back door, how often should you be winning the Premium Bonds and what are your Budget moans? Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saving in a self-invested personal pension is a great way to create a side pot from your workplace pension or to build a retirement fund if you are self-employed. On this special bonus episode of the This is Money Podcast, Simon Lambert is joined by Trading 212's chief operating officer, George Mantilas, to discuss everything you need to know about investing in a Sipp. From how to get easily get started, to what you can do to improve your pension saving and keep fees low, they discuss Sipp essentials. These include: The benefits of a Sipp How they work Why people invest in Sipp as well as a work pension Why investing in a Sipp matters Do fees matter as much as what you invest in? Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this special This is Money podcast episode to celebrate his 500th column as our retirement agony uncle, Steve Webb is back to answer your pension questions. The former pensions minister joins Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert to talk through what he has learnt over those 500 columns and reply to the questions he has been sent in specially for this episode. 01:54 – The £118,000 state pension underpayment that exposed a huge scandal 05:01 – Inheritance tax: What's changing for pensions in April 2027? 07:39 – Will final salary pensions be caught by inheritance tax? 09:02 – How to make life easier for loved ones when you die 10:09 – Can you give money to relatives' pensions without paying inheritance tax? 12:07 – Gifting from surplus income: What records do you need? 13:47 – Can you access your pension at 55 without triggering a tax trap? 15:53 – Why is the private pension access age rising to 57? 19:19 – Tax-free lump sums: Can you take another 25% if your investments grow? 23:36 – Why is the state pension…

There were a number of ways Kemi Badenoch could have tackled the much-hated issue of inheritance tax. The Tory leader could have promised to cut the rate, remove gifting allowances from the deep freeze, raise thresholds, or stop pensions being pulled into the net. Instead, she decide to announce family homes would be completely exempt under a Conservative government... and couples would still get to give away £1million tax-free on top of that. Was that a good idea, or has Kemi just promised to make a bad tax even more complicated? On this week's podcast Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert talk inheritance tax and as well as looking at Kemi's plan they discuss what you need to do to beat IHT now. Plus, the Lifetime Isa is on the way out but savers are still being stung with penalties. Will the new first-time buyer Isa be an improvement. In the stock market story of the week, Simon reveals why Tesco says it will be a less boozy Christmas. We explain how to get a free will and what you should consider putting in…

The triple lock's days appear to be numbered. The Prime Minister Andy Burnham revealed bold plans to ditch the pension guarantee from 2030 and replace it with what has been dubbed a 'double lock' at the Labour party conference this week. Is it the right move? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane discuss on this week's This is Money Podcast. Elsewhere, Angela Rayner announced that councils could soon be allowed to take over empty buy-to-let properties, if they had been vacant for as little as six months. Helen explains EDMOs and who could be stung. Fancy working for yourself? We reveal the ten most in-demand self-employed roles... plus what to do if you find out a colleague is being paid a lot more than you for doing something similar. Finally, a new vape tax comes into force this week. What's changing, and will it really encourage people to kick the habit? 01:17 – Is the triple lock on the way out? 19:21 – State Pension myths busted 22:50 – Could councils take over empty homes? 30:00 – The most in-demand…

Could the personal allowance be raised to £15,570 in the Budget? That's the off the wall idea that emerged this week as a way of Labour nudging ahead if Andy Burnham called an early election. The podcast team discuss that and Simon's idea for how you could start to reform the tax system. Time stamps 00:06 – Coming up: personal allowances, energy bills, buy-to-let and working from home 02:01 – Could the personal allowance rise to £15,570? 12:13 – How could Britain fix its tax system? 18:52 – Why are UK energy bills so high? 26:17 – Stock market story of the week: Airtel Money’s London listing 27:47 – Can landlords still make money from buy-to-let? 30:47 – Airbnb cameras: what are the rules? 35:55 – Working from home: is it time to get back to the office? 45:45 – Simon’s stat of the week: the rising cost of diesel Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce,…

The Bank of England held the base rate again on Thursday but mortgage rates have soared this week. Major lenders have made a wave of hikes and there are warnings that more are on the way, so what's going on? Is this just another temporary spike as the mortgage market throws one of the wobblies we've seen a number of times in recent years or serious bad news, with rates set to stick higher? On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss interest rates, what this could cost people and what you can do if you need to remortgage. Plus, what does this all mean for gilts and the Budget and did the Bank of England quietly make a decision that could make things materially better? With more investors buying gilts direct, should you take advantage of the higher rates on offer and how do you invest in UK government bonds? Or should you choose a fixed rate savings account at 5.2 per cent instead. A This is Money reader question highlights the worst inheritance tax trap that lies at £2million.…

Retiring early, making your time your own and sticking it to the man is something many of us will have dreamed of. But what would it take you to get there and how much would you need to start investing now depending on your age and when you want to kick back? On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at the early retirement dream. Is it realistic, what do you gain and what do you give up, and why is it vitally important for some to use an Isa as well as a pension? One thing hampering many of our saving efforts is the cost of living and now inflation warnings are coming thick and fast again. How dire are the predictions, how likely are they to come true, what does it mean for the rest of your finances – and what’s the cost of a weekly shop got to do with things? Plus, the Renters’ Rights Act is about to deliver a landlord register but is that a good idea or more red tape. And finally, trading cards are worth big money and catching the attention at the…

Is it crunch time on the bond markets or is this just another episode in a long-running soap opera that always leaves us on a cliff hanger? Turmoil on global bond markets has sent yields soaring on major countries' debt but the UK is suffering more than its rivals. So, what’s going on with the bond blowout? How bad is it? Why does the UK pay more to borrow than similar countries? And why is it bad news for the Budget and our finances? On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss the bond market, explain what's going on and why it matters to you. Stoozing is back. Do you stooze, would you stooze, what on earth is stoozing and is it wise? Plus, could you get duped by the British boutiques that are actually shoddy Chinese shops? And finally, a property report this week claimed the death of the dining room… but is it time to be contrarian and revive them? Revealing his true identity as a fully paid-up member of the property-owning bourgeoisie, Simon puts up a…

From next year, those in receipt of the full state pension will have to start giving some of it back to the government in income tax. The Treasury has put in place a ‘waiver’ system for less well-off pensioners – but it has been revealed this week that those who chose to defer their state pension could miss out because of the extra income they receive. On this week’s podcast, Georgie Frost is joined by This is Money’s Helen Crane and Tanya Jefferies to discuss whether that is fair, and how Britain’s state pension got so complicated. Staying on the subject of retirement, estimates of how much we have to save for old age usually assume we will own our homes and have paid off the mortgage by the time we quit work. But for a growing number of people, that isn’t the case – and a new study suggests those who rent during retirement could have to save £419,000 extra to afford it. With today’s youngsters expecting to get on the ladder later, or perhaps not at all, the problem is only set to worsen. The team discuss…

NS&I has just boosted the Premium Bonds underlying rate again to its highest level in nearly two years. The odds of winning are better too, with more £50,000 and £100,000 prizes to boot. More than 22million of us hold Premium Bonds but after years of being beaten by the best savings accounts, are they suddenly looking like a good option again? And why raise the rate at all? Lee Boyce, Georgie Frost and Helen Crane discuss. 11.34: Imagine you bought a house years ago, pay your mortgage every month... only to discover the Land Registry still hasn’t registered it in your name. It could mean you can’t remortgage and subsequently out of pocket. We discuss a case where this happened, why and a deluge of cases we are hearing about. 20.54: Inflation is heading the wrong way again - up from 2.6% to 2.9% in July, largely thanks to higher energy costs. What does that mean for base rate? Energy bills are likely to head higher still, with forecasts of another rise price cap rise in October. Is it time to fix? 29:11: And…

After years of stagnant sales and plummeting prices…is the housing market about to take off again? Lee Boyce, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss what's going with property values and hunt for green shoots of recovery. 14:46: Some of Britain's biggest banks are offering far better savings rates under different brands. We look at where the deals are hiding and how much more you could earn. 22:47: Crane is back on the case - this time, she resolves a reader problem with an £11,500 heat pump. It left some rooms at just 12°C – and their energy bills went up. 33:07: A-level results day was this week - do the younger generation need to go to university? We talk about the pressures facing school leavers and why a degree isn't the only route to a successful career, running through best apprenticeships and jobs that don't require a degree. Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon…

Has tax just got a little more taxing? Making Tax Digital has come in, meaning hundreds of thousands of people need to make their first quarterly report to HMRC this week - and during the summer holidays to boot. Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce cover what you need to know about the changes and whether it’s a good move. How easy is it to find the right software, will it help reduce the ‘tax gap’ and who will need to start using it? A retirement giant has warned the Government’s inheritance tax raid on pensions next year will undermine faith in saving long-term for later life. Should people be worried about the changes or keep calm and carry on with their pension contributions? This week, a Premium Bonds £1million winner scooped the top prize with a bond bought only six months ago. Is that unusual? Or do many people win the seven-figure sum quickly? Lee reveals all. Heading off on summer holidays? We give a reminder about the dos and don’ts when it comes to spending overseas… and what does the actor…

Is the can finally going to stop being kicked down the road on social care? Andy Burnham has promised to correct what he has called a ‘dereliction of duty’ by a generation of politicians. But how does he plan to succeed where so many before him have failed, can he pull it off and who is going to end up paying? On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss how to solve a problem that has defeated successive governments and created a reverse lottery where the unlucky losers can see their wealth wiped out. Meanwhile, there was no move for the Bank of England this week, as interest rates were held again, despite fears that the recent spike in energy prices could prompt another inflation shock. What does it all mean for our money? Plus, would you haggle at a high street store? Our man Toby Walne did, so what happened? And finally, is Britain’s beach hut boom over? Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia…

Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rise in the state pension age looks likely to speed up again, as it was revealed this week that the Government has already been banking the gains. It is now almost certain that the state pension age will rise to 68 between 2037 and 2039, seven years earlier than the official timetable. But will it have to go up again and when? And is a further rise fair when life expectancy has stalled and it's the triple lock that's driving up costs? On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss the state pension, when you might get it and whether it's time for a rethink. Plus, how can you bridge the gap if you want to retire earlier by saving more yourself? Simon also explains how you can track down any old work pensions and get them working much harder for you. Lee discusses why it is taking so long to buy and sell homes and what can be done. And finally, in the week that SpaceX shares slipped below their IPO price, Simon reveals that he did what he said he was going…

Twice as many households could be forced to pay a new 'mansion tax' latest speculation suggests - the threshold may fall from £2million to £1.5million. That rumour comes with Andy Burnham expected to be Prime Minister before the end of the month. So exactly who will be affected, which regions are most at risk and is the High Value Council Tax Surcharge fair? Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss as more middle-class homeowners potentially face an annual bill, which won't be ringfenced for local services. Also, the scourge of cowboy builders - trust in traders falls as millions grappled with shoddy home repairs in the past 18 months. How can you find a good tradesperson and what are your rights if things go wrong? NS&I is in panic mode as it is far below the amount required to meet its financial targets. As such, it has boosted rates across all products since April. Which ones should you open and which should you avoid? And lastly, the tricks to get you into VIP airport lounges for less this summer - even if…

Goodbye Halifax! It’s being scrapped by Lloyds after 173 years. But why would you kill off one of Britain’s best known and trusted banking brands? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss the end of a very familiar name and talk through the history of what started out as a building society... and ask: is another historic name next? Also, Britons suffer the sharpest drop in wealth of any developed nation - what’s behind it and can we arrest the decline? The pensions gender pay gap is still big according to a whole raft of data. We share some key ways that women can boost their pensions… And finally, the secrets to selling on Vinted are revealed by someone who is raking in £12,000 a month selling old clothes. Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this bonus episode of the This is Money podcast, Lee Boyce speaks to Bank of England chief cashier Victoria Cleland on her views over the future of cash. We talk about why preserving choice in payments is important, whether she fears physical money will die out and how we can stop Britain going totally cashless. How do we encourage retailers to accept cash and why are people turning away from using it? And how do we keep cash relevant. We also talk about the 'paradox of cash' where cash is used less frequently for transactions, notes in circulation continue to grow and whether it's fair part of our lives have seemingly gone cashless, including car parks. With the House of Lords recently announcing a National Resilience Committee looking at whether we should hold cash reserves at home - is there any ideal amount we should hold? Victoria's signature is on bank notes from 2014 - 2018, and on notes since last year again too after becoming chief cashier again - how does that feel? Also, we talk about the bank…

Another one bites the dust. Sir Keir Starmer has resigned just two years in to being Prime Minister. This latest rotation of Britain's PM merry-go-round comes despite Starmer having done nothing particularly wrong. It wasn't scandal that brought down the Prime Minister, dramatic events, a vote of confidence, or a proper leadership challenge, just his party seemingly deciding it ws fed up with the man who won Labour a huge election majority. Andy Burnham is almost certainly set for a coronation as Prime Minister rather than a leadership contest, so what could that mean for tax, our personal finances and the economy.- and have Starmer and Rachel Reeves left us in a better state than when they took over? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss what's happened and what could come next on this episode of the This is Money Podcast. Plus, tax will be charged on Isas for the first time as Reeves tries to block savers and investors from using a stocks and shares Isa loophole to avoid the new lower cash…

Most families don't pay inheritance tax but those that do can get hit with huge bills running into hundreds of thousands of pounds. With pension pots soon to be included in calculations, this is going to be an issue facing more families in the years ahead. So if you know your parents or grandparents will get caught in their inheritance tax net, and you also know they don't want to 40 per cent of a chunk of their hard-won wealth going to the government, should you ask for an early inheritance to solve the problem. On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss how to tackle the thorny issue of giving money away, without triggering a family fallout. Plus, will the Bank of England still hike interest rates this year, how did a woman end up with another person's massive energy bill from the other side of the country, and is Labour's new plan to make home buyers' offers binding a good idea? And finally, Simon talks us through his shortlived SpaceX adventure after he decided to sign…

Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government is planning a major inheritance shake-up for unmarried couples but does it go far enough and will it trigger a wave of disputes? On this week's podcast Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss the planned rules for co-habiting couples, who it covers, whether it goes too far or not far enough and why they still lose out on tax. Plus, how much do you need for a comfortable retirement and will you get there... plus what it will take in 25 years' time. How to invest in index funds and profit the easy way. And what can you do if someone ditches a car or van on your road? Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the sort of theoretical question you might discuss at the pub with your mates. If you won the lottery and had the choice, would you pick a £1million lump sum, or take £1,000 a week for life? Pollster YouGov posed the question to 7,000 Britons recently, and it is fair to say opinions are divided. According to two money experts, there is a right answer - so which is the best strategy, and why is likely to make you much richer? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane discuss. Easy access savings rates have barely budged in recent weeks, but fixed-rate deals are becoming much more attractive. We look at some of the best - and Helen explains why a number of HSBC customers are feeling disgruntled after Isa transfers to the bank were hit with a raft of delays. The team also looks at Volvo's chaotic EV recall, and what drivers who have been told their car is a potential fire risk can do. It has been confirmed that the energy price cap will rise by 13 per cent in July, with costs for the average household…

Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A week is a long time in politics... and what a week it’s been. But what does all the turmoil mean for our money? And can we blame it all on Labour? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce discuss the threat to Keir Starmer's leadership and why it has caused some market panic. If the Prime Minister is ousted, what could the new man or woman in charge change when it comes to tax and wealth? Nearly a quarter of retailers now no longer accept cash - but there is a cohort of 'cash preppers' tucking money away at home in case of payment outages. Should we care? NS&I has bumped up the underlying rate on Premium Bonds and made the odds of winning a prize shorter - are they now a good home for your cash again? And finally, Lloyds Bank launches a first-time buyer mortgage requiring a £5,000 deposit. Is it a good way to step onto the property ladder? Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie…

With millions of seats being cut from flights worldwide, it's safe to say many Britons may be worried about future travel plans - or are being put off booking holidays altogether. The Middle East conflict has pushed up the price of jet fuel and airlines are having to plan ahead to try and ensure as little disruption as possible. But what can you do if you end up getting swept up in cancellations or delays? Helen Crane, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss. Also this week, Helen steps in to help a man finally get a £1,100 refund after his flight was cancelled in the pandemic... SIX years ago. The high street is in crisis, with TG Jones the next retailer to axe shops and staff. What's gone wrong? And it's no secret banks have closed branches at rapid pace - with banking hubs celebrating their fifth birthday, are they filling the gap well? More homeowners are selling off chunks of their garden. But what are the dangers and is it a good idea? And finally, six watches to invest in that experts say will become…

It's been a long time in the making and the idea has run through successive governments, but a new law to improve the life of those who rent their home has finally kicked in. Whether it's much-needed or much-feared depends what side of the landlord fence you are on, but what's not in doubt is that the Renters' Rights Act is a massive shake-up. The assured shorthold tenancy system that has been the backbone of renting a home for almost 40 years has been torn up and replaced with rolling contracts that tenants can get out of with two months' notice. Landlords, however, will find it much harder to get their property back, put the rent up, or even turn down pets. So, is this what the rental market needs, or is it likely to backfire as some property experts warn? With decades of experience of renting, covering the property market - and even helping with a family business that's involved in it - Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert dig into the Renters' Rights Act. Plus, on this episode, the Bank of…

A new campaign has been launched to turn Britain's savers into investors. In this bonus episode, This is Money's Simon Lambert speaks to Karen Northey, of the Investment Association about the Take The Next Step campaign, backed by members of the investment industry and supported by the government and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. They discuss why investing matters, how it can grow people's wealth and why Britain's savers can seem reluctant to dip their toes into something that has the power to substantially improve their chance of beating inflation and improving their finances. Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the younger generation going to end up worse off than their parents? A new survey shows young people aged 18 to 29 say the events of 2026 have left them feeling particularly pessimistic about the future, and the number who believe they will be worse off than their parents has doubled in the past year. Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce discuss whether the idea the next generation will have it better than previous ones is now bunkum. Elsewhere, what do you want to see less of on the high street? And how can they improve? A student loan interest cap kicks in later in the year... for some. Simon explains what it means. And do you use a dodgy fire stick for watching TV, films or football? We discuss whether the net is closing in on their illegal use. Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See…

A new government-backed campaign to get Britain to become a nation of investors is about to kick off. The message that you can be making more of your money will be spread in adverts that we know will feature a squirrel... but not much more about. It's a campaign being led by the Investment Association, the fund management industry body, and backed by 20 financial firms, ranging from investing platforms to wealth managers. So, will it make a difference - and why are we being told to invest? On the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert dive into the reasons for investing, the easy ways to do it and why it doesn't have to be an all or nothing affair. Also in this episode, will the Bank of England really raise interest rates, Crane on the Case tackles a terrible tale of a holiday refund that should have been made, we look at the supermarket tactics to ge you to spend more... and Helen takes us down memory lane to a Midlands supermarket in the 1990s. And finally, how much would an A4…

Many younger adults think they are substantially less well-off than their parents. But while there are inequalities, new research suggests the wealth gap may be far narrower than previously reported - and it is largely down to the cash those in their twenties and thirties have stashed in their pensions. On this week's episode of the This is Money podcast Lee Boyce, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss why official figures got it wrong, and whether property versus pension is a pointless comparison. The team also ask what will happen to interest rates and mortgages due to the fact that - for now at least - a ceasefire in Iran appears to be holding. Elsewhere, Lee reports on a ferocious best buy battle at the top of the fixed cash Isa tables, where even the high street banks are getting involved. And finally, another Chinese pretender to Amazon's retail throne has entered the UK. Is Joybuy any good, how did it fare when our reporter put its delivery service to the test - and do we really need another place to…

A solar revolution is on its way to Britain and can help save us from volatile and high energy bills, if you believe Ed Miliband. Plug-in solar panels are popular across Europe but currently rules in the UK mean that we can’t buy them and, as it says on the tin, simply plug them into our home’s electricity supply. But changes are afoot that will mean we could soon be buying individual panels that cost £400 and simply plugging them into a three-pin wall socket, where thanks to the magic of an inverter they would put power into your home. And we might even be able to nip down to the middle of Lidl to buy them, with the discount supermarket among those talking about offering them – in its famous middle aisle. In Germany, Ikea sells panels and there and in other European countries they are popular, so could they transform our homes? How long would it take to get your money back – and what’s the prepper angle on the interest in all this? Georgie Frost and Simon Lamber talk plug-in solar panels and energy bills on…

There's just a week to go until the end of the tax year and if you haven't sorted your Isa, pension or the rest of your finances it's time to get your skates on. On this episode, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss the important things you need to think about before 5 April... and ideally right now. From how your Isa allowance works, to parking cash and drip-feeding it, and why a pension can not only boost your retirement savings but also cut your tax bill, they explain what you need to know. And Simon has some extra tips on how to use as much of your Isa or pension allowance as possible, even if you don't have the ready cash. Also on this week's episode, what on earth is going on at NS&I and will it have to pay millions on compensation, how to become a tradesperson on a six figure salary, will interest rates really rise four times this year, and finally, what are the food items that have rocketed the most in price. Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow…

Isa season is in full swing as savers and investors race to beat the clock to fill up their allowance - but where are people putting their money? Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost take a look and reveal stocks and shares Isa bestsellers of 2026. And even before the current markets turmoil caused by the Iran conflict, Lee reveals just how much is pouring into cash. There are fresh warnings sounded over Britain's midlife pensions crisis - but it's not too late to build a healthy retirement pot. We reveal how and some of the rules of thumb it is worth remembering when it comes to building your nest egg. McDonald's launches trading cards with selected meals - and some of the rarest are already listed on eBay for HUGE sums. Lee does a live opening of three packs... can he bag a £10,000 gold Ronald card? And just what is the fastest way to make £10,000? Five experts - including Simon - have been given £500 each to put into betting, crypto, stocks, furniture and Vinted, alongside a share-picking monkey…

Mortgage rates have shot up this week as the impact of the conflict with Iran for inflation and interest rates sinks in. Banks and building societies have been racing to raise their fixed rates - with some even pushing them up twice in the space of a few days. It comes in response to a sudden switch around in expectations for the Bank of England base rate, but will this flurry of hikes continue or are the concerns overdone. On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert look at what's going on in the mortgage market - and what you can do about it if you are buying a home or need to remortgage. Plus, Simon has broken with the habit of a lifetime and actually fixed his energy bills for once. He explains why you should too - and how there are still potentially price cap-beating or matching deals out there. Helen outlines the nine biggest mistakes you can make with your pension - and what they could cost you. And finally, if you have a Nationwide current account and…

In the past week, news headlines have been dominated by the conflict in the Middle East. It has pushed up oil and gas prices, and as such, concerns over our household finances in Britain. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane discuss what the conflict means for investors, mortgage rates, price at the petrol pumps and energy bills - is there anything you can realistically do to keep a lid on the potential for runaway inflation? With the potential for inflation to spike, does that spell the end of a 'nailed on' base rate cut and what are your rights if you have a holiday or flight booked which is hit by the disruption? We also saw the Chancellor deliver the Spring Statement on Tuesday - growth downgraded, unemployment up and predictions house prices will rise by more than £40,000 between now and 2031. But with events in the Middle East, are the OBR predictions wildly out-of-date already? There is now more than £1trillion held in tax-free Isas. With a month to go until the end of the tax-year, thee has been…

What a mess we’re in. Without too much effort this week, we spotted 10 messes. It was made pretty easy with the fallout from Chancellor Philip Hammond’s first go at a Budget making news all week. His attack on small business was up there with some of the made-up-as-you-go-along nonsense from his predecessor. Hammond learned well from George Osborne. Mess 1 The Budget. Last week we wondered if the whole thing was a joke? It was. The main thrust, a rise in National Insurance contributions for people who don’t have a staff job, is in the bin. This leaves a big gap in the Government finances. They tried austerity, cut taxes for the richest, tried taking it out on small business. None of it has worked. What next? Tax needs to rise somewhere. Mess 2 Ill-thought-out tax tweaks from the past come back to haunt policymakers. A change to flat-rate VAT announced in the last Autumn Statement is about to come into force and will be a further blow to small business. Listen for the great VAT explainer on how it works and…

It felt like there was something fishy going on during the Budget speech this week. Chancellor Philip Hammond peppered the few official announcements he made with low-rent panto gags and political jibes. Were these a distraction technique? With the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear that trying to be funny was silly Philly’s way of glossing over one of the more ‘spectacularly dumb’ decisions in modern politics. Big banks brought the economy to its knees in the late noughties, why now go after the self-employed and small businesses to shore up the country’s finances with a National Insurance hike? It was a short, sweet kamikaze mission, especially given the manifesto pledge of no increase in VAT, National Insurance or income tax. A U-turn beckons. As ever, This is Money editor Simon Lambert explains exactly what it all means and how National insurance works for the self-employed. Is it time to merge it with income tax? Also, on the show with Georgie Frost and Lee ‘spreadsheet’ Boyce… A pointless,…

A speech this week from President Donald Trump sent the US stock market soaring to a record high. And where the US goes, the rest of the world follows. The FTSE 100 is also impressing investors. Trump stood at the podium, behaved like an adult and explained a little more about some of his less crazy policies, including the fiscal ones. Cash held offshore could start washing back into America and wind up in the pockets of shareholders, who clearly want a piece of that pie. There’s more to it than that. This is Money’s Simon Lambert explains how it all might work as other pundits ponder whether it’s the euphoria before the fall. A ‘bull run’ is when markets rise. ‘Bears’ usually spoil the party. The gloves are off. Also on the show, featuring Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost: Two more years of miserable savings rates Lifetime Isas – a totally flawed Government plot A new Range Rover ‘for women’ Car insurance premiums are likely to rise because, oh do they really need an excuse? Hateful parking fines Hateful probate…

There are a lot of laughs this week as Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost take a sideways look at some of the week’s potty money stories. Banks are in the spotlight because it’s reporting season and there was a mix of good news, shock news and fraud news from Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and the rest. But the pathetic attempts by RBS to lure customers to its headline 0.05% interest-paying cash Isa get taken to pieces by the This is Money team. Also on the show… A trendy new bank backed by the tech entrepreneur, haircut wearer and singing coach on TV’s The Voice, Will. i.am, is paying 2% to its savers. It’s a suspiciously high a rate say our judges. To open the account you have to take a selfie. How many moneyed 60-year-olds will take that seriously? Football. Bloody hell! It’s the metaphor for anything. Could the rise and fall of Leicester City be clever economic forecasting at play? A conversation about the state of our banking sector ensues: Tale of two bail outs – RBS v Lloyds British Airways vs all the…

It’s the Holy Trinity of money-geddon (to mess up a couple of Biblical metaphors). But this could be big. We’re less well off than in 2008, prices are going up and wages aren’t. This adds up to trouble. The British economy is based on us all spending money on services but it’s increasingly money we haven't got. Join Georgie Frost, Rachel Rickard Straus and Simon Lambert for a cheery look at what lies ahead now that the impact of austerity, inflation and the devalued pound is becoming clear. Also, on the show… SAVE GOODBYE: The only place to get a savings account remotely worth saving money into is likely to be with a bank you’ve never heard of. STOPPING SHOPPING: The Government has mucked up business rates so seismically that many shops are likely to shut down. Surely a u-turn is the only hope. POUND ROUND-UP: Round pound coins are being killed off. If you’ve got a jar full at home you need to spend them now. DEAD MEAN: First they made disabled people pay for tax cuts of the rich and the crimes of the…

The property market is broken. Years of cheap money have allowed lenders to lend more and more to people earning less and less and we’re at crisis point. The politics of trying to boost the housing market to win votes has left us on the brink of potential disaster. Rents are likely to soar too, removing even that alternative to having a roof over our heads, and while all the economic focus rests on London there’s little incentive to move to Stoke-on-Trent. It was with this mess in mind that we’d been looking forward to the latest Government white paper that promised to outline plans for the ultimate rescue package for housing. It might as well have been 104 blank pages for all the piffle it contained. There is no plan. They don’t know what to do. The question is, can Simon Lambert, Rachel Rickard Straus and Georgie Frost come up with any better ideas? Also on the show… Could another idiotic car scrappage deal be on the cards? This time for our once eco-friendly diesels. Our failed energy regulator is…

We haven’t left the world’s biggest trading block yet so measuring the success of Brexit is tricky. It hasn’t happened. There’s still no plan. But what we do know is this. The inequality gap between rich and poor in Britain is growing. More than 14million have not been able to save a penny in the last 12 months. And HALF of earners of £25,000 or less haven’t put cash aside for the rainy days ahead. But why would you save when the interest rates available are lower than inflation? It means saving is a way of losing money. Unlike Brexit, there is a plan and it’s possibly an investment plan. And what if there was a timeframe over which you definitely don't lose out? Join Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce for a round-up of how to save and invest, why and where, the pitfalls and the safety nets. Also on the show: Simon goes botty potty after an a artificially intelligent computer programme (bot) has beaten a team of leading human poker players. The ramifications for financial tools is colossal. Mini…

We tried hard this week not to talk too much about Britain's exit from the European economic bedrock as it jumps headfirst into bed with Donald Trump’s protectionist America. Instead, and in related news, Georgie Frost, Adrian Lowery and Simon Lambert take a look at the exodus of banks from the UK. Not just those planning on moving to continental Europe post-Brexit, but the latest wave of branch closures announced by HSBC and Yorkshire Bank. But do we really need them? Simon, This is Money’s editor, would happily never set foot in one again. Also on the show. Can you beat inflation with savings? Probably not – so listen to our easy-to-follow look at how anyone can to get into investing Email hacking sees no sign of relenting - and now there’s a scam based on Amazon to watch out for And finally… Tacky bespoke Rolls-Royces are all the rage among the stupid rich. Why? Enjoy. Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us…

This week will go down in history for a couple of major events. A new US president being sworn in is always big news but that happens every four years. OK, Donald Trump might shake things up a bit if he's able to get his way. Most noteworthy in Britain was the revelation that 'Brexit’ means the total withdrawal from the EU, customs union and single market as a way of controlling immigration. Prime Minister Theresa May laid out her 'plan' for the future of Britain outside the world's largest trading block. How that stacks up economically remains to be seen. This is Money’s Simon Lambert has a pretty good stab at explaining, along with colleague Rachel Rickard Straus and Share Radio’s Georgie Frost. Some say Britain cannot afford to go it alone because of the unsustainable level of Government and industry debt. However, one commentator told This is Money this week that household debt is now a far greater worry than anything the Government can muddle along with. And now prices are starting to rise…

Investors have been cheered by a stunning start to 2017 for the FTSE 100, which racked up a record-breaking run of closing highs. But does that mean we should be confident or worried? The FTSE 100 is made up of international companies with foreign earnings, booming on the back of the devalued pound. On this week’s This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert and Rachel Rickard Straus join Georgie Frost in the Share Radio studios to explore why shares have soared and discuss whether this is a good, indifferent or the absolute worst time to invest. Investors love to invest at the wrong time. Inevitably, also on the agenda this week are the two words on everyone’s lips, Trump and Brexit. We take a quick look at the devastating influence an angry tweet from the US President-elect can have on the pharmaceutical, car, defence and airline industries and the ongoing vagueness of Britain's relationship with Europe before swiftly moving on to more pressing matters. Among them are a look at how rich you are, the best paying…

The glass is half full and we’re on the hunt for a silver lining as we look forward to what's in store for our finances in 2017. We also cast a quick glance back at the most entertaining money stories of 2016, which were about... well, money. We go behind the scenes with the man we hold responsible for the phenomenon that was stories about new fivers worth a more than £5 and coins worth a small fortune, consumer affairs editor Lee Boyce. Readers loved his stories about coins and notes last year, and they set a trend for stories about money worth more than face value across Britain's media and viral internet. Where did the ideas come from? Why are some of these coins and notes worth more? Is the round pound next? Lee gives us the lowdown in the studio with Share Radio's Georgie Frost and This is Money editor Simon Lambert. Also on this week's show, we look at whether 2017 will be a good year for investors as the FTSE 100 hits a run of record highs, or whether the view that the only way is up spells trouble.…

The phenomenal successes of British athletes at the Rio Olympics were quickly forgotten in 2016 as a confusing, unpredictable mix of politics and economics took over. The peculiarities began before Brazil, however, when Leicester City won the Premiership title at odds of 5,000 to 1. Then the British public were granted a vote on the country’s role in the European Union, which few appeared to understand. Markets crashed and recovered, the pound tanked and people got rather angry – but mostly about attempts to increase the price of the popular yeast spread, Marmite. Finally, a reality TV star with the language of a child and behaviour of a child became leader of the free world. Join Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce of This is Money and Share Radio luminary Georgie Frost for a look behind the sound bites and the hubris as they try to work out happened and why. Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts:…

It might be the only time in history that four five-course supermarket Christmas dinners are taste-tested on live radio over a discussion about the state of the economy. There’s really not much more one can say. Other than will it be Lidl, Waitrose, Tesco or ‘the wildcard’ that proves more popular this year in the turkey, cheese, Prosecco, sprouts and cranberry sauce league? The result, as a clickbaiter might say, may surprise you. The journey might amuse you. Inflation hit 1.2% and the US Federal Reserve raised its main interest rate. Merry Christmas.From this week’s crew: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Rich Browning and Tom the producer. Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.