Original Broadcast: This is Money
First-time buyers are borrowing big to try to skip the first rungs of the property ladder and buy bigger homes, a new report suggests. That comes alongside a slump in demand for flats, as buyers push for houses instead. So whether you are a first-time buyer or a home mover should you extend as far as you can to buy a home that will last you longer, or do you risk damaging your finaces by overstretching? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert talk property on this episode, from mortgages, to house prices, why buyer tastes have shifted and why flats can be great. Plus, how does this all fit in to the fading buy-to-let dream and can investing in property still work out? Also, why Britain has an inflation problem and what we can do about our sketchy public finances. And finally, there's a new savings account with a prize draw on offer — should you open one?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
It’s September, it’s back to work, back to school and back to mild chaos. This week saw a delayed Budget announced, with a raft of speculation that will only mount over what bad news that could mean, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner forced to quite after underpaying stamp duty to the tune of £40,000, and long-term UK borrowing costs hit the highest level in 27 years. So, what on earth is going on? And aren’t we in the phase of the plan to get Britain’s economy back on track where things meant to be getting better not worse? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert do their best to keep the politics out of it while discussing the Budget, the stamp duty row and the gilts wobble. They explain what this all means for the UK’s national finances and our personal finances and look at whether things could really be about to improve. Plus, should the biggest take away from the Angela Rayner stamp duty situation be that it’s a terrible tax that needs to be reformed so bills are slashed for all, as soon as possible? And finally, if your pre-booked Uber fails to turn up, you miss a flight that the airline dragged forward by half a day, and end up paying £475 for new flights, should you be able to get someone other than you to foot the bill?
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Dubai is doing its best to draw in disillusioned young Britons, offering cut-price properties, visa incentives for entrepreneurs and of course, the prospect of paying no income tax. Footballer Rio Ferdinand and his family have even announced they are making the move — but two young families This is Money spoke to say it isn't just for sports stars and influencers. They say it's easier to start your own business, they can get petrol for 50p a litre, and send their children to private school. Helen Crane and Georgie Frost are joined by Money Mail editor and This is Money alumna and Money Mail editor Rachel Rickard-Straus to discuss whether the money incentives would ever be enough for them to do the same. It comes as yet another planned tax hike is being rumoured ahead of Labour's Autumn Budget. This time, landlords are being threatened with paying National Insurance on the income they make from rent — but who will the tax hike really hurt? Elsewhere, our savings expert Sylvia Morris is convinced NS&I will slash the rate on its ever-popular Premium Bonds this October. Georgie is ditching hers, but should you do the same — and where can you get a better rate? Finally, Helen discusses helping a reader who was told she couldn't get her money back for an £883 ferry crossing her husband booked, as she had the wrong kind of death certificate.
Guests: Rachel Rickard-Straus
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
The Bank of England has cut interest rates again, but this time, the decision wasn’t straightforward. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane ask what the division in the Monetary Policy Committee tells us about the state of the economy right now, and what the cut means for our money. We also talk about plans to hit those in wealthier areas with bigger council tax bills. Why is the current system so unequal, and how could your area be affected? Helen discusses a water company who told an elderly couple they needed their pipework replacing at a cost of thousands — when in reality, all they needed was a new water meter (which is given away for free). Finally, Lee explains who can claim from the car finance scandal - and what to do if you can't find the paperwork.
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
A stark warning has been sounded that the state pension age could have to rise to 74 for those under-30s. The Institute for Fiscal Studies' pronouncement in the same week that the government announced a state pension review set the cat amongst the pensions. But would Labour — or any party — really hike the state pension age that high? Wouldn't it be political suicide and spark protests in the street? The IFS warning hinged around the triple lock and balancing the books, but it's clear that the risk of the state pension age rising from its current timetable's maximum 68 is high. Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert, discuss what could happen to the state pension, when we might be able to retire and what we all need to do to get there. Pension saving is also under the spotlight and the team discuss how to make the most of your work scheme or a SIPP. Plus, a double tax hit on inheritances is on the way, as pensions are pulled into the net. Does the government need to change tack rather than plough on with a levy that will reach 64% for many affected? The FTSE 100 finally broke through 9,000 this week, is 10,000 on the cards and why is the UK stock market doing well? And finally, 'Buy and Hold' is the traditional investment mantra, so why does one bitcoin expert say you shouldn't do that and should trade it instead?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
How do you solve a problem like high house prices without sinking the economy? That's a conundrum that's kept politicians and central bankers awake at night for years. Now there's a new plan. Rachel Reeves unveiled a push for bigger mortgages this week, with the backing of the Bank of England, financial watchdogs, banks and building societies. Protections in place since the credit crunch-induced crash will be swept away. Are we forgetting the lessons from the financial crisis or adjusting the rules to meet a world that's different? Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert talk bumper mortgages and what next. Plus, the Chancellor has more plans, to get people investing, support the stock market and fire up the economy — will they work? As the FTSE100 flirts with a close above 9,000, is it time to buy British? And what do you need to know about paying inheritance tax rather than the usual topic of avoiding it?
Guests: Tanya Jefferies
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
The slashing of the cash ISA was considered a nailed on certainty in next week's Mansion House speech, but now it seems Rachel Reeves has had a change of heart. So, has the cash ISA allowance been saved for good, or is this just a victory for now — before the axe falls in the Budget? Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss what next for the cash ISA and whether there was any merit in plans to cut the allowance. Plus, why has Nvidia become the world's first $4 trillion company, is it still worth investing in and have you got any chance of finding the next stock market superstar before it takes off? Should you combine your finances with your partner's and reveal all to them? And finally, it's the polarising question of our times: are you for or against Ring and other video doorbells?
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What would you do with £208 million? Ahead of another Euromillions rollover, This is Money spoke to an adviser to those fortunate few who have scooped a jackpot to get some practical tips on what to do if you win big…just in case! Would friends and family be top of your list when it comes to how to spend it... or something else? Lee Boyce, Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost discuss. Simon turns his focus on The Big Winter Fuel u-turn and the spending review – 'pray for Rachel and all of us', he says. We borrowed too much to buy our home - what can we do about our huge mortgage? And an auction expert revealed the four types of property that savvy buyers are snapping up right now.
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
With the Bank of England citing Donal Trump's trade war as the key driver for lower interest rates, will the UK-US trade deal stall the fall? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Helen Crane discuss this and — will the new IHT levy on pensions lead to retirees spending more on holidays? Also, as companies require more of their staff to return to the office, is 'Working From Home' over?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Amid Donald Trump's tariff madness, there may be a silver lining for British investors. With American exceptionalism swiftly being replaced with American erraticism, the UK is attracting the eye of international investors. They see the FTSE — and its European counterparts — as a relative bastion of sanity and somewhere that a rules-based trading system can ride out the storm away from a US government seemingly intent on tearing up the rulebook and throwing the pieces in the air to see where they land. But this isn't the first occasion that investors have heard the siren call of a revived UK stockmarket, only to have their hopes dashed on the rocks, so will it be different this time? Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert discuss whether UK shares will be a tariff winner — and where else investors can turn to make a profit. Plus, how much should you have in savings at different ages and are NS&I's new bonds or Cash ISA table-topping rates from savings apps a way to get there. And finally, a question from a reader who asks what they can do about a neighbour who borrowed their lawnmower and broke it... and what our consumer rights lawyer's answer reveals about Georgie. Please tell us what you think about the This is Money programme: we're running a listener survey, to get your thoughts on what you like and what we can improve. Here's the link: https://ex-plorsurvey.com/survey/selfserve/550/g517/250305?list=14#?
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