Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Universal Basic Income is frequently cited as the way to cope with the growing spectre of AI-driven mass unemployment; but there are few, if any, workable ideas on how to fund such welfare subservience. Universal participation would not only enable all to share in tech wealth creation, but also allow tech companies to benefit from people's involvement. Background music: 'Forever Yours' by Wayne Jones
Published:
Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
We're looking forward to a significant step forward towards inter-generational rebalancing as a result of Share Alliance's two-day conference in May: the first day focused on academic research and the second on policy options. Please let us know if you're interested by visiting this 'Save the Date' page: https://www.sharealliance.org.uk/ig-rebalancing-conference-registration/. This will hopefully be a refreshing contrast to the mix of nostalgia and charisma which seems to be driving so much of politics at present, and which was the subject of an interesting discussion between Amol Rajan and Louisa Munch in his BBC 'Radical' podcast last week. Background music: Generations Away' by Unicorn Heads'
Published:
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.
Published:
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.
Published:
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
Published:
Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Labour MPs' celebration of the Chancellor's abolition of the 2-child welfare benefit cap in last week's Budget statement completely eclipsed the outstanding need for a comprehensive strategy to address the economic and familial stresses impacting children, adolescents and young adults: so much worse than a few decades ago. We focus on three specifics in this commentary: the continuing denial of Government to deliver Child Trust Fund money to low-income young adults unaware of their money; the punishing burden of the student loan system, and the instability and insecurity caused by a society which has lost its moral compass. Background music: 'Generations Away' by Unicorn Heads
Published:
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?
Published:
The UK Budget speech and the response from Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch — and including the 'Point of Order' beforehand from Mel Stride regarding the premature release of the OBR report. This is the unabridged record without comment, and the recording runs for one hour and31 minutes.
Guests: Mel Stride,Rachel Reeves,Kemi Badenoch
Published:
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.
Published:
Unemployment is not just an economic scourge — it also substantially undermines mental well-being, as Tom Paxton described so vividly in his 1964 song, 'A Job of Work'. Universal Basic Income offers a very inadequate substitute, as voters in Hamburg have shown. Automation is however, an indisposable part of modern life — again, Tom Paxton warned of this sixty years ago. As we commented three weeks ago, the solution is for all to participate in tech giant wealth creation, bringing responsibility through participation in ownership. Background music: 'Taking in The Changes' by Everet Almond
Published:
