This is Money Podcast

Quick-fire guidance on using your ISA and pension before the tax year ends. Practical talk about drip-feeding lump sums, parking cash inside ISAs and bed-and-ISA moves. Discussion on pension allowances, tax relief tricks and carry-forward options. Plus what went wrong at NS&I, soaring food prices, tradespeople earning six-figure incomes and where interest rates might head next.

ISA investing trends for 2026 and the bestselling funds, ETFs and shares people are buying. New rules coming for cash ISAs and why savers are shifting between cash, gold and global markets. A deep dive into Britain’s midlife pensions shortfall and practical rules of thumb for building a retirement pot. A quirky look at McDonald’s trading-card mania and a race to turn £500 into £10,000 using different strategies.

Rapid mortgage rate jumps tied to geopolitical inflation fears and Bank of England moves. Quick rundown of current two- and five-year rate levels and lender reactions. Practical tips on remortgaging timing and whether a two- or five-year fix suits you. Why fixing energy bills now might beat future caps. Common pension mistakes to avoid and a short deadline checklist for Nationwide Fairer Share eligibility.

Discussion of how the Middle East conflict is pushing up oil, gas and petrol prices and what that means for household bills. How rising energy costs change the outlook for interest rate cuts and mortgage pricing. Travel disruption, insurance limitations and rights around rerouted flights and refunds. A surge in cash Isa deals and warnings about upcoming ISA transfer rule changes.

Why the FTSE 100 is enjoying a blistering start to the year and which sectors and stocks are driving the surge. A deep dive into Rolls‑Royce’s astonishing five‑year recovery and whether its rally can persist. How Junior ISAs actually behave and sensible ways to save for kids. The impact of NS&I’s Premium Bonds rate cut and whether to move money. The practical fallout from Making Tax Digital and the true maths of EV ownership.

Sir Steve Webb, former UK pensions minister and long-running pensions columnist, guides listeners through top pension topics. He recalls a state pension underpayment scandal, explains why poor administration causes big problems, and discusses reforms like auto-enrolment, pension inheritance tax plans, the triple lock and saving shortfalls. He also offers practical steps to get control of your pension.

Meet Alexander Blunt, travel-industry co-founder who led commercial and operations, and Marcus Blunt, product-minded co-founder who built data-led trip tools. They talk about turning a spreadsheet frustration into a tech-led, tailor-made ski holiday business. Hear how they tested ideas, survived COVID, rebranded, scaled with marketing and unit economics, and expanded into new seasons and resorts.

Rachel Rickard‑Strauss, personal finance journalist who explains investment platform changes and ISA/pension trends. They unpack Hargreaves Lansdown’s fee revamp and why savers are moving. Practical pointers on what to check when switching platforms. Discussion covers low‑cost rivals, transfer tips, ISA cash worries and pension administration failures.

A deep dive into Britain’s tangled student loan system, why Plan 2 borrowers face steep interest and shifting repayment rules. A debate over who should fund higher education and whether refunds or a graduate tax are possible. Plus the Bank of England rate outlook and how it affects savers and mortgage decisions. Also: extreme mortgage paydown tips, bitcoin’s recent crash, and how flexible ISAs work.

They explain what ground rents are and how rising clauses can make them unaffordable for flat owners. The discussion covers the proposed £250 cap, its timing and why it may not solve all leasehold problems. Pension fund and corporate pushback over asset write-downs is examined. They also cover surging stamp duty investigations, precious metals rallies, cash ISA rate moves, and whether wood burners can be used responsibly.