Original Broadcast: This is Money
Britain's weather is famous for its ability to go from stunning to downright miserable in the blink of an eye. The nation's jobs market has a habit of doing the same. Not so long ago, workers finally had the upper hand and were celebrating a post-Covid jobs boom, where almost all roles were in-demand and some decent salary rises could be negotiated. Now, the chat down the pub is more likely to be about redundancies, recruitment freezes and endless rejections that can end with someone accepting a lower salary and position just to get a job. It will almost certainly swiftly also turn to artificial intelligence and its threat to employment, particularly the white collar kind. But can you AI-proof a career, are the machines really coming for our jobs and what are the roles that are in hot demand at the moment? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert dive into the employment market and look at the list of the 30 most in-demand roles to see what they can uncover. Plus, is Rachel Reeves being irresponsible in allowing another pension tax-free lump sum rush to occur, if she isn't going to stage a Budget raid? Why is Lee not happy about his football club and cash? What did the team discover after a shout out to listeners to tell them about mystery flight delays? And finally, if you don't get unlimited Yorkshire puddings with a pub roast, can you really go to Trading Standards?
Published:
Original Broadcast: This is Money
It's the latest social media craze, allegedly — revenge saving. But what on earth is it and can it really encourage people to get into the savings habit? Lee Boyce, Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost dive into the world of revenge saving. And while this new buzz-term does the rounds, we have a stab at making our version — the mind-trick savings method. We discuss why you shouldn't get hung up on saving large amounts, chasing high interest rates and to visualise money like a snowball going downhill. Meanwhile, we look at the little known government savings account that has seen £220m in bonus payments — could you benefit from opening one? A current account with a 6% savings rate, but it’ll set you back a whopping £17 a month — can it really be worth it? Also, HMRC can now take money DIRECT from your bank account or ISA if you haven't paid taxes; and Steve Webb answers a reader question — why can't I get my state pension on my 66th birthday?
Guests: Sir Steve Webb
Published:
Original Broadcast: This is Money
Pensions and inheritance are at the forefront of many people's minds ahead of the Budget. In her last Budget, Rachel Reeves announced she will pull pension pots into the inheritance tax net from April 2027. Meanwhile, there are concerns that pension tax-free lump sums and inheritance tax allowances could fall victim to another raid as the Chancellor tries to balance the books again. In this special episode of the This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert is joined by Lisa Caplan, director of Charles Stanley Direct Advice and Guidance and a regular guest in our weekly 'Investing Explained' feature. Lisa spends her days helping customers understand how to protect their wealth, make their pension last in retirement and, importantly, enjoy their hard-earned money. She discusses with Simon the questions people are asking right now about pensions and inheritance tax — and the answers she gives.
Guests: Lisa Caplan
Published:
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
Published:
Original Broadcast: This is Money
Britain is suffering from an epidemic of people who are theoretically rich saying that they don't feel flush at all. If you're a higher-rate taxpayer on more than £50,000 then you are up in the top chunk of the country's earners, but chances are that unless you are well into six figures you don't feel particularly wealthy. Even many of those on £100,000-plus complain that they aren't comfortably living the lifestyles they expected when they dreamed of that kind of money. So, what's going on, what income does it take to make someone rich, does wealth matter more, or is it all to do with how much you have going out? As This is Money launches a new calculator that tells you how you compare, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss the state of the nation's incomes. Also, where are the best places to retire to and how does Britain score, how hard is it to take your mortgage with you when you move and are EPCs a swizz. Plus, listen to Lee speak to Ross Kemp for a special 'Me & My Money' interview.
Published:
Original Broadcast: This is Money
As the founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, Greg Jackson knows more about Britain's household energy than almost anyone else. In his interview with This is Money's Simon Lambert, he explains why bills are still so high, what we can do as a nation to try to bring them down — and the future of household energy. Greg explains what people need to know about solar panels, heat pumps, electric cars and agile energy deals — and what we can do for those who don't want any of those things. He also discusses an idea that he is passionated about, making renewable energy cheaper — and sometimes even free — for those nearer to the source, which he believes could help both individuals and businesses - and attract big technology firms to the UK.
Guests: Greg Jackson
Published:
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?
Published:
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
Published:
Original Broadcast: This is Money
We’re still a couple of months away from the Autumn Budget, but already the rumour mill is in overdrive. But while pensions, inheritance and even cash ISAs have taken the spotlight in the past year, this week, a new tax target has emerged ... property. Helen Crane, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost look at the wild ideas being bandied about when it comes to reform on how we pay tax on homes. The Treasury shut down the idea of a ‘seller tax’ on homes above £500,000, but other plans appear to be on the table. This includes an annual property tax to replace stamp duty, replacing council tax with an annual local tax based on property values and a potential ‘mansion tax’ — AKA, levying a capital gains tax bill on properties sold over a certain value. Elsewhere, we warn over the rise of a sophisticated deepfake scam involving well-known investment gurus — and how people were ensnared into a 'pump and dump' ruse. We investigate the airport currency rip-off. Sure, most of us know we’ll get a poorer rate by leaving it until the last minute, but did you know the sneaky tricks being used? And, sticking with the holiday theme, Lee transports you to the brocantes of France… and talks through the stats that show we have no idea how to tip abroad.
Guests: Helen Crane
Published:
Original Broadcast: This is Money
Down valuations are on the rise, so what happens if you and your mortgage lender don't agree on your new home's value? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce talk through the home valuation process and whether it is a fair system for banks, borrowers and sellers. How much more would you be willing to pay to be in a good school's catchment area? New data suggests living near a good primary or secondary school is becoming pricier. Are you saving enough for your age? The adage is three to six months' worth of income — but for some age groups, it should be one to three years. Move over Swiftonomics, it's all about the Oasinomics - or as Lee describes it, Rkidinomics. How much have the Gallagher brothers added to the UK economy this year? And finally, supermarket self-checkout cameras — are they legal?
Published:
