Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
The oldest recipient of a Child Trust Fund turned 22 on Sunday 1st September, but the great majority of those allocated by HMRC (due to no action by the young person's parents by their 1st birthday) are unclaimed. This is the story of Joe, who really needs his money to get started in adult life — but he doesn't know anything about his good fortune. The Share Foundation has already enabled over 60,000 young people to claim their accounts, but that's a drop in the ocean compared to the huge number of accounts lying dormant with account providers. So The Share Foundation is now asking Government to implement its 'Default Withdrawal at 21' proposal for HMRC-allocated accounts. Background music: 'Missing Persons' by Jeremy Blake
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
A bad news Budget looks to be on the cards after Labour continued to pour cold water on optimism following its election victory. Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a gloomy speech saying the Budget was going to be painful, hot on the heels of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' own gloom-mongering. But having made a promise not to raise the rates of income tax, national insurance, VAT and corporation tax, where will the Government try to raise cash? Starmer said tax rises would target those with the 'broadest shoulders' but who are they — and are there really enough of the very wealthy to target or will the burden be more likely to fall once again on those in the rich middle? We look at what taxes could rise and what a capital gains tax, pension, inheritance or other raid could mean for people. Plus, Britain's biggest mortgage lender Halifax is upping what it will lend first-time buyers, Crane goes on the case of an Evri bungle and asks: shouldn't you be within your rights to expect a parcel to arrive? And finally, with the Oasis ticket scramble in full effect and ticket prices sky high, can you protect against a potential Gallagher brother blow up or anything else that would stop you going? (If, that is, you can get tickets in the first place, of course!).
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Gold has hit record highs this week and has rocketed so far this year. What’s driving the price and how do you invest? Tanya Jefferies, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce turn their attention to the precious metal — a notoriously volatile investment, but yet seen as a safe haven. Energy bills will be back on the up, with the new Ofgem price cap announced for October. Is it worth fixing before the hike comes in? And one in four are expected to struggle this winter with their energy bills — just as the new Winter Fuel Payment is taken away for millions of households. We bust some myths on inherited state pension and ask how DWP can be dishing out incorrect information and also question whether annuity deals have peaked. Plus, we run the rule over two juicy reader questions. Firstly, what are your rights if you drunkenly lend money to a friend? Secondly, what can you do about a property next door being converted into an HMO with six students?
Guests: Tanya Jefferies
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Last week, the consumer prices index measure of inflation nudged higher to 2.2%. But what does this mean for future base rate decisions — and then in turn, mortgage rates and savings rates? Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost discuss the latest inflation figures and what the rest of the year has in store for the economy. Meanwhile, experts predict a busier housing market this autumn - but what makes them so sure? And watch out if you plan on taking your kids out of school during term time — you could face big fines, with the first change to the system since 2013. Is it fair that parents get fined for taking children on holidays and should there be a better system devised? We look at the supermarket winners and losers over the last decade — just how bad have things been for ASDA. And our reporter Angharad Carrick takes a visit to west London Tesco to test its new anti-shoplifting measures. Is it any good? We also run the rule over Aliexpress... and the bargain items that are almost too good to be true.
Guests: Angharad Carrick
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Since the suffragette movement, women have had to work hard to gain autonomy in what was once very much “a man’s world”; and when it comes to finances, women are yet to achieve equality. Vicky Sayers is joined in this episode by Tamara Gillan, founder of the WealthiHer Network: created to inspire and empower women to grow and protect their wealth. They discuss the continuing economic inequality of the sexes, and the initiatives put in place by the WealthiHer Network to work towards equality. Replay from 20th March 2020
Guests: Tamara Gillan
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Stock markets around the world saw huge falls this week, but is it a sign of more trouble ahead or just a storm in a teacup? Simon takes a look at what’s behind it all, and why investors should avoid the temptation to start tinkering with their portfolios once the horse has already bolted. His advice is to ignore the voice in your head that says you should get out now to stave off disaster — but also pay attention to its existence. Good news for motorists, as car insurance premiums have started to fall for the first time in two years. Or is it? They still remain at near-record highs, and are up a whopping 48% since 2022. This is Money's Sam Barker discusses why premiums went so high, who has been worst affected, and how to keep costs down. Staying on the topic of insurance, the UK has been gripped by riots in the past week and This is Money has been looking at what your compensation rights are if your home or car gets damaged. Elsewhere, Sam explains the latest tactic broadband firms are using to squeeze cash out of their customers - and asks why the regulator Ofcom appears to be looking the other way. Mortgage rates have been shifting fast this week, and Simon rounds up the latest deals. We also answer a question from a reader who wants to know what to do with his £80,000 redundancy pay-off.
Guests: Sam Barker
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Original Broadcast: Modern Mindset
Adam Cox is joined by Giles Dickson, the CEO of WindEurope. Giles talks to Adam all about the current state of wind energy in the UK. With a new government at the helm, Giles also discusses what the future could hold for wind energy. https://windeurope.org/
Guests: Giles Dickson
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Some relief for borrowers as interest rates start to edge down — has the economy turned a corner? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce discuss this and the Chancellor's speech on Monday 29 July, looking ahead to the Budget in October. Also — are broadband and phone prices set to soar again?
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Building up a savings pot and then investing to grow your wealth and provide a decent pension for retirement is the key to long-term financial success. But there's lots to consider at each step — and most people will want to buy a home along the way. So what do you need to think about when sketching out your lifetime finances and then trying to achieve your goals? Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert take it step by step and look at each element of saving, investing, buying a home and building a pension. How much should you have in an emergency savings pot? How do you move from saving to investing? How can first-time buyers get ahead in tricky times? How much do you need to save for retirement? They look at all of these things and more.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
It's official - we're complaining about our neighbours more, new data shows. When it comes to noise, many appear sick of barking dogs, squeaky trampolines and loud music ruining the enjoyment of our homes. Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost talk about neighbour wars — and what we can do about it. And sticking to the property front, does it matter if you're a 'super' nimby? And if you do want to fight back against developments in your area, what's the sensible way to do it? We also look at the danger of pricing your home too high - and the Rightmove data that shows just how risky it can be. Grandparents and parents are digging deeper than ever to send children to university. What do young adults need to know before they take out a student loan? Lee goes back to school to talk to kids about money and the working world - but what did HE learn from the experience? And from festivals to sporting events, why has having fun become so expensive?
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