Original Broadcast: This is Money
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 blow-out? 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? 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 last 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 defence for the dining room — but do Helen and Georgie agree? Timings: 00:57 Why are UK government borrowing costs surging — and why should we care? 06:36 Is the world’s debt problem getting out of control? 10:46 What could the bond market turmoil mean for the Budget? 17:35 What does it mean for mortgages, savings and your money? 19:11 Stoozing is back: could you really make £750 from a 0% credit card? 29:46 Fake British boutiques: are you really buying cheap clothes from China? 38:03 Death of the dining room: do we still need one? 45:37 Simon’s stat of the week: more than one million pensioners paying higher-rate tax.
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
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? 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?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
A raft of new initiatives have been released by our new prime minister last week, covering pubs, buses and electricity bills: is this all part of a radical plan, or just more tinkering? And how do we pay for it? Budgeting for defence spending is also clearly a big issue going forward, so what does new Chancellor John Healey have in store for us?
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
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.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
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 on which 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 forty 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, the Bank of England held interest rates — but could it actually need to raise them three times this year? And what's behind the rocketing number of 45p/£ taxpayers and why isn't it Rachel Reeves' fault? Finally, travel experts reveal where is still cheap to fly to for the summer; so do you fancy a holiday in Cork, Dortmund or that old Wags' favourite, Baden-Baden?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
We are almost at the end of a year that turned out to be rollercoaster ride for our finances. Investors have had a good year but there was certainly some twists and turns along the way. The economy started off strong and then began to stutter, interest rates came down by a full percentage point and inflation spiked again. Meanwhile, the most hotly anticipated Budget turned out to be not as bad as it could have been but has not gone down well with businesses and taxpayers. On this final 2025 episode of This is Money, Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert take a quick ride through this year and what it meant for our finances.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
The Bank of England has cut interest rates for the fourth time this year. The base rate is now the lowest it's been since 2023 but a split vote means markets and economists are now questioning how much lower they will go. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss what a 3.75% base rate means for borrowers, savers and investors — and, more importantly, where rates are going next. Plus, the social media savings tricks that Gen Z love — and what the rest of us can learn from them. Where has the highest household income and why how it is balanced matters. How to not get caught out by a counterfeit Christmas. And finally, another thorny question about a fence — but what's the answer? Merry Christmas from all of us at This is Money.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
The dust has settled on the Budget but while we now know what Rachel Reeves plans for our finances, many questions remain. The Budget featured a raft of tax rises — but also left out some moves that were widely rumoured to happen. On this special bonus episode, Simon Lambert is joined by Lisa Caplan, of Charles Stanley Direct, to find out what people are asking after the Budget — and the answers to those important questions.
Guests: Simon Lambert,Lisa Caplan
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
After the endless speculation, the Budget finally arrived this week. Rachel Reeves seemed happy with her statement and Sir Keir Starmer has been out singing its praises, but was the Budget a diamond in the rough or a dud? On this Budget 2025 episode, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert dive into a Budget that many have commented is the most chaotic they can remember. After all the rumours, worries and waiting, how good or bad was it? Some of the expected financial pain didn't arrive but there were plenty of tweaks to tax our pocket and our patience. Did the Chancellor cut the right balance between getting more money in and supporting the economy, did she articulate a clear plan, or are we back to drifting about aimlessly in the tax and spending doom loop doldrums? And most importantly, what will all the measures mean for your money?
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Nvidia is the talk of the town after posting better than expected earnings results — has the chip maker genuinely eased fears of an AI bubble bursting, or just bought the market a bit more time? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce discuss what it means for investors in Britain and how much weight this multi-trillion dollar company holds. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme deposit protection limit will rise 41% to £120,000 from 1 December and data suggests young people are too focused on saving for short-term goals and risk falling behind — does it matter? What is really likely to be in the Budget? With a week to go, we have a quick last-minute briefing on what Chancellor Rachel Reeves could be cooking up. There might finally be a crackdown on ticket touts for gigs and other events — Simon reveals just how passionate he is about it and why action is needed. And finally, find out what former England and Arsenal goalkeeping legend 'safe hands' David Seaman did with his £100,000 Aston Martin DB7.
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