This is Money Podcast

It's finally happened. After months of will-we, won't-we speculation, the UK economy has finally succumbed to recession.The ONS revealed this week that a drop in GDP in the final three months of 2023 meant that Britain had racked up two consecutive of negative growth - and thus the dreaded R word is here.But is this a bad one, why does the term 'technical recession' keep being bandied about and do these backward-looking figures mask things already getting better?On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert look at what recession means for the UK and you.Plus, who are the villains among big banks and building societies when it comes to sky-high standard variable rates for mortgage borrowers and is it them or the customers themselves to blame if somone ends up paying almost 10 per cent interest?Also on the show, the customer turned down for a switching bonus by HSBC because they had a Midland account 21 years ago.And finally, electric car sales aren't growing as fast as the government or car makers want. Does that mean it's time to drive a bargain? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus This is Money podcast episode, Simon Lambert speaks to easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou.Sir Stelios tells the story of how he launched easyJet his easyGroup of companies - and how allowing others to build companies using the easy brand works.He also explains why he is backing entrepreneurs under the age of 35 with his Stelios Philanthropic Foundation awards and giving away £150,000 to the successful winner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The cost of a comfortable retirement has jumped over the past year - but what do you need to get one and will you get there?As the Pension and Lifetime Savings Association updates its annual look at how much income people need for a basic, moderate or comfortable retirement, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert take a look at what this all means for you.If a comfortable retirement costs a couple £59,000 a year and a moderate one £43,000, which one do you have a chance of achieving - and are there any important bits being left out of the costs?The team look at the cost of retiring, why it might not be as expensive as it first looks, how to invest for retirement and what sort of back up the state pension will provide.Plus, why our real top rate of income tax is 60 per cent - and it's not the highest earners hit by it on their next pay rise - and is there any hope that Jeremy Hunt will be the Chancellor who finally does something about it.The case for not just cutting stamp duty but getting rid of it altogether.And an interview with a modern-day business legend. Simon speaks to easyJet and easyGroup founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ionnou about how he started the airline and built it up and his Young Entrepreneur awards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast discusses the Bank of England's decision to hold interest rates and the implications for savings, mortgages, and investors. It also explores the debate on smart meters and the drawbacks of joint bank accounts. Additionally, the podcast covers real-world calculations for financial health and discusses the challenges faced by first-time buyers in the housing market. Lastly, it delves into investing in undervalued stocks, the significance of interest rates, and listener feedback.

This podcast discusses Britain's decline in disposable income, explores the reasons behind it, and compares it to other countries' economic growth. It also covers the substantial profits made by homeowners, a government scheme for first-time buyers, alternative investment options, and maximizing the value of Avios points.

The Government wants us to get heat pumps fitted in our homes and it's offering up to £7,500 for us to do so.Now Worcester Bosch is bumping that up by an extra £2,500 - if you pick one of theirs of course.But with the devices cost between £8,000 to £30,000 to buy and fit, would it tempt you? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Lee Boyce reveal all... and talk the 'boiler tax'.Is inflation back on the rise? How worried should we be by the latest figures? And where next for interest rates?And millions face a big price hike for their mobile and broadband from March. Isn't it time these inflation-busting mid-contract increases were banned?Also today…following campaigning by This is Money for years for fair treatment for parents who do not qualify for child benefit, parents denied state pension credits WILL get them. Tanya Jefferies explains all you need to know.Tanya also talks about a bungled handover to a new administrator that has left BAE Systems retirees suffering drastic cuts of up to 50 per cent in their pensions.And Crane is on the Case, this time over a robot vacuum cleaner... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a good year for Premium Bonds when the only way was up for the prize fund rate, savers got a blow this week as a cut arrived.The prize fund rate is being cut to 4.4 per cent from 4.65 per cent.  That edges the average return - which you may or may not get - from Premium Bonds further below the best savings deals, so should you save instead?Or would many Premium Bond holders be better off investing?On this podcast episode, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss whether Premium Bonds stack up.Plus, as the US securities regulator aproves bitcoin ETFs, is the price now headed for $200,000 as some suggest, or could this be enticing more naive investors into the volatile world of crypto that's been dogged by fraud?Later, Lee reveals his car insurance woes - and shares tips on how to deal with your own renewal quite pain.And finally, find out who on the podcast team is not drinking for January, who is taking an extremely haphazard approach to it, and who is planning to go all the way to Easter, as we discuss the no and low-alcohol beer boom and the ones we rate the best. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast discusses the potential tax implications for online sellers on platforms like eBay and how to determine if you are a 'trader'. They also touch on HSBC's mortgage rate cuts, navigating the financial complications of divorce, and share money lessons learned in 2023. The hosts explore money management, discuss premium bonds and retro gaming, and emphasize the importance of tracking subscriptions and collections.

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The Bank of England has reached the peak with interest rates in this cycle.That's the firm view of the markets and most analysts, despite three members of the nine-strong Monetary Policy Committee disagreeing and voting for a rate hike this week.The question has now shifted from how high will rates go, to when will they be cut?The boldest predictions are for more than 1 per cent to be shaved off the base rate next year.Does that fit with the Bank's 'hawkish hold' of the base rate this week? On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at what next for interest rates both here and in the US - and whether markets are running away with themselves.Plus, two years after they finally started to properly rise what does heading back to a point where rates may fall mean for borrowers, savers and investors?Also on this week's show, is it better to use the central heating or an electric heater, the 'better' plan for a state pension triple-lock replacement, and the reasons Lee wants you to get in touch.And make sure you listen to find out why the team want to know how long your kettle takes to boil... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.