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
The rise in the state pension age looks likely to speed up again, as it was revealed this week that the Government has already been banking the gains.It is now almost certain that the state pension age will rise to 68 between 2037 and 2039, seven years earlier than the official timetable. But will it have to go up again and when? And is a further rise fair when life expectancy has stalled and it's the triple lock that's driving up costs? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss the state pension, when you might get it and whether it's time for a rethink. Plus, how can you bridge the gap if you want to retire earlier by saving more yourself? Simon also explains how you can track down any old work pensions and get them working much harder for you. Lee discusses why it is taking so long to buy and sell homes, and what can be done. And finally, in the week that SpaceX shares slipped below their IPO price, Simon reveals that he did what he said he was going to do, and he spent his IPO profits on a weekend away — but how much extra did he have to chip in?
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Twice as many households could be forced to pay a new 'mansion tax', latest speculation suggests — the threshold may fall from £2 million to £1.5 million. That rumour comes with Andy Burnham expected to be Prime Minister before the end of the month. So, exactly who will be affected, which regions are most at risk and is the High Value Council Tax Surcharge fair? Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss as more middle-class homeowners potentially face an annual bill, which won't be ring-fenced for local services. Also, the scourge of cowboy builders — trust in traders falls as millions grappled with shoddy home repairs in the past 18 months. How can you find a good tradesperson, and what are your rights if things go wrong? NS&I is in panic mode, as it is far below the amount required to meet its financial targets. As such, it has boosted rates across all products since April. Which ones should you open and which should you avoid?And lastly, the tricks to get you into VIP airport lounges for less this summer — even if you've booked economy.
Guests: Lee Boyce
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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
On this bonus episode of This is Money, Lee Boyce speaks to Bank of England chief cashier Victoria Cleland on her views over the future of cash. We talk about why preserving choice in payments is important, whether she fears physical money will die out and how we can stop Britain going totally cashless. How do we encourage retailers to accept cash and why are people turning away from using it? How do we keep cash relevant? We also talk about the 'paradox of cash' where cash is used less frequently for transactions, notes in circulation continue to grow and whether it's fair that part of our lives have seemingly gone cashless, including car parks. With the House of Lords recently announcing a National Resilience Committee looking at whether we should hold cash reserves at home — is there any ideal amount we should hold? Victoria's signature is on bank notes from 2014 — 2018, and on notes since last year again too, after becoming chief cashier again — how does that feel? Also, we talk about the bank note consultation currently happening — why replace historical figures with wildlife? And has she been surprised by some of the backlash? There are eighteen choices on the list, and nearly half a million people have cast their vote. Lee's favourite is a kingfisher on a fiver and a brown hare on a twenty ... what are your picks? You can vote until 3 July: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/help-us-design-our-next-series-of-banknotes.
Guests: Lee Boyce,Victoria Cleland
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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
Most families don't pay inheritance tax, but those that do can get hit with huge bills running into hundreds of thousands of pounds. With pension pots soon to be included in calculations, this is going to be an issue facing more families in the years ahead. So if you know your parents or grandparents will get caught in their inheritance tax net, and you also know they don't want to see 40% of a chunk of their hard-won wealth going to the Government, should you ask for an early inheritance to solve the problem? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss how to tackle the thorny issue of giving money away, without triggering a family fallout. Plus, will the Bank of England still hike interest rates this year, how did a woman end up with another person's massive energy bill from the other side of the country, and is Labour's new plan to make home buyers' offers binding a good idea? And finally, Simon talks us through his shortlived SpaceX adventure after he decided to sign up for the latest stock market craze.
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Is the great British property obsession coming to an end? Also, should young people be able to access their pensions early? George Frost, Simon Lambert and Helen Crane discuss these issues; plus — how to protect your retirement funds from an AI bubble, and which car makes Britons happiest to own?
Guests: Helen Crane
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
The Government is planning a major inheritance shake-up for unmarried couples but does it go far enough, and will it trigger a wave of disputes? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss the planned rules for co-habiting couples, who it covers, whether it goes too far or not far enough and why they still lose out on tax. Plus, how much do you need for a comfortable retirement and will you get there? And, what it will take in 25 years' time. How to invest in index funds and profit the easy way. Also, what can you do if someone ditches a car or van on your road?
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