A Long Time In Finance

On 16 September 1992, after an "extremely difficult and turbulent day", sterling was driven out of the Exchange Rate Mechanism, shattering the central economic policy of John Major's government and arguably setting Britain on a path to the fringes of, and ultimately the exit from, the European Union. In the first of a three-part series, Neil and Jonathan look back on the run up to the crisis with Jonathan Portes, Sir Paul Tucker, both of whom had ringside seats in the Treasury and Bank of England respectively, and economic historian Duncan Weldon.Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Sir Paul Tucker, Jonathan Portes, and Duncan Weldon.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Additional editing by Ewan Cameron. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's arguably the most important number in world history, and one that drives almost all our main economic decisions. But how is the interest rate set, and (more importantly) have we been setting it wrong in recent years, to the detriment of our economies? We discuss interest rates from Babylon to QE with economic historian and author Edward Chancellor.Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Edward Chancellor.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The private equity industry has grown massively in recent years, but is it a bubble or a genuine money-making machine? We talk to Sachin Khajuria, a former partner of Apollo and author, who believes the buyout chiefs really can turn pension funds' base metal into gold.Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins,With Sachin Khajuria.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.In association with Briefcase.News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the key divide in UK economic policy, according to economist Sam Bowman: You are either a growth-hungry Booster who thinks we can revive the economy, or a pessimistic Doomster who believes struggling Britain is condemned to persistent low growth. We talk to Sam about why the Doomsters dominate the discussion, and how Boosters can bounce back.Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Sam Bowman.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.In association with Briefcase.News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tory leadership contest has been badged as a "battle of economic ideas" between "prudent" Rishi Sunak and "go for growth" Liz Truss. But what exactly are these ideas, where do they come from, and how relevant are they to Britain's current situation? Neil and Jonathan talk to economic historian Duncan Weldon about the contenders' plans to put Britain back on track.Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Duncan Weldon.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sponsored by Briefcase.News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people think it's all over. But with new variants raging, are we too sanguine about dismissing the risks from Covid. Neil and Jonathan talk to Deborah Birx, who ran the Coronavirus Taskforce in Donald Trump's White House, about dealing with "the Donald", where we are with the virus, and how we can avoid contracting a nasty case of economic long Covid. Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Deborah Birx.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sponsored by Briefcase.News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Things are going from bad to worse for the privatised water industry, argues Feargal Sharkey. The rivers are running with sewage, and now there are warnings the whole South East could run out of water. We discuss possible fixes with the ex-Undertone, fisherman and water campaigner, from nationalisation to using "grey" water to flush your bog.Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Feargal Sharkey.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wirecard was the rare German startup that seemed primed to become a global player. But it was all too good to be true, as Dan McCrum, financial sleuth at the FT, ultimately discovered. We talk to him about how he unmasked the scam, overcoming spies, mobsters and even the German financial regulator to get at the truth. And also about favourite scams and why fraud is so damned difficult to stamp out. Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Dan McCrum.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.Sponsored by Briefcase.News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don't know your standard monetary policy from the unconventional kind? Relax! We ask economist and former Bank of England adviser Tony Yates all those questions about QE (and its seldom-seen friend QT) that you always wanted the answer to but never dared put.Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Tony Yates.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A victory for public interest journalism, or a travesty of the law? We pick through the surprise judgment handed down in Brexit "bad boy" Aaron Banks's libel case against investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr in the company of top media lawyer, Mark Stephens. Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Mark Stephens.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.