Original Broadcast: This is Money
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 that 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? Also, last week a Premium Bonds £1 million 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 Will Ferrell have to do with it?
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Not surprisingly, the proposal from Gary Lineker and his millionaire colleagues for a wealth tax has been met with ridicule — Robert Colvile writing in the Sunday Times says, 'The problem isn't that those who've signed the pledge are hypocrites. It's that they're idiots'. However, there is an alternative approach which could bypass gargantuan Government spending. Donating the equivalent sum to a charity of the philanthropist's choice would enable targeted support based on their analysis of need. This could provide a direct solution for the challenge of inter-generational rebalancing so that future generations are better placed to tackle national debt and future public sector payment obligations, which now exceed £9 trillion. Background music: 'Intellect' by Yung Logos
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
As we approach installation of the seventh prime minister in just ten years, Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Helen Crane discuss how we are being seen as the political basketcase of Europe, and what it means for your money. There's also fury over reforms to ISAs, and a warning that Rachel Reeves' new tax on investors won't work. Plus, the Bank of England wants your help.
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Helen Crane discuss a new Government report showing the scale of savings shortfall in British pensions, and how millions with lifestyle pensions could be left short. Also — mansion and wealth taxes are back on the agenda. Plus, Nationwide's new 'fairer share' gets an airing, and the team ask whether it makes sense to cap food prices.
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
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?
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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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HMRC is urging self-employed workers and landlords to prepare for one of the biggest changes to the tax system in years. Under the Government’s 'Making Tax Digital' programme, hundreds of thousands of taxpayers will soon be required to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC, with the rollout starting on 6th April 2026 for those earning over £50,000. As the thresholds fall over the following years, millions more people — including those with side hustles or online income — could eventually fall within the new reporting rules. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss this is accountant and UK tax expert at HaysMac, Graeme Privett.
Guests: Graeme Privett
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The UK’s tax system is set for a major shake-up as the Government rolls out 'Making Tax Digital'. From the 6th April 2026, around 850,000 sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000 will move away from annual selfassessment and instead keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC. New research suggests awareness of the reforms remains mixed ahead of the rollout. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss this is Stuart Miller, Director of Public Policy & Tech Research.
Guests: Stuart Miller
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
The Government has announced plans for a cap on ground rent — is it a welcome policy that will finally fix a broken system or does it risk creating new problems along the way? Helen Crane, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss the plans first revealed on TikTok by the Prime Minister, what's potentially changing and when. Watch out — HMRC is about: stamp duty investigations are on the rise — is it all Angela Rayner's fault? And how do buyers find themselves in the crosshairs? 'Metal madness' is still in full swing with gold and silver on a tear up with some huge gains this week, but also some hefty falls. What's going on? NS&I has made some cheeky rate cuts but a cash Isa season seems to have erupted early — where can you find the best rates? And lastly: wood burners. Are they an environmental no-no, or can they help save money on your energy bills?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Despite repeated assurances that Labour would not break its election manifesto by hiking income tax, it appears it is now under consideration by the Chancellor in the Autumn Budget. Why is Rachel Reeves mulling over this U-turn, how much would it cost us, and would she really dare to do it? Angharad Carrick, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss. Speculation over a 'mansion tax' in the Budget has also reared its head again. The team discuss whether it's a good idea to tax people with pricey homes, and how on earth HM Revenue & Customs would decide whether someone's house is worth more than £2 million or not. Elsewhere, some good news in store, as Goldman Sachs has predicted the Bank of England will cut interest rates at its meeting next week. Does fading inflation and sluggish growth mean this is now on the cards, and would the Bank dare to make a move before the Budget beast is unleashed? The team discuss. They also look at why we're now paying three times the energy standing charges that we were six years ago, and why some chocolate biscuits can no longer call themselves chocolate.
Guests: Angharad Carrick,Helen Crane
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