Can you do a financial podcast and not mention the Budget right now? No, not really. But you can give it a good shot at keeping Budget chat to the minimum. On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert take breather from talking about Rachel Reeves and the endless cycle of madness that is the Budget 2025 build up to discuss some other stuff. Can they get through it without mentioning the Budget anymore than five times? Listen to find out. First up it's interest rates. Why di...
Nov 07, 2025•1 hr
Despite repeated assurances that Labour would not break its election manifesto by hiking income tax, it appears it is now under consideration by the Chancellor in the Autumn Budget. Why is Rachel Reeves mulling over this U-turn, how much would it cost us, and would she really dare to do it? This is Money's Angharad Carrick, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss. Speculation over a 'mansion tax' in the Budget has also reared its head again. The team discuss whether it's a good idea to tax people ...
Oct 31, 2025•37 min
The dream of becoming an Isa millionaire will be a common ambition among many This is Money podcast listeners. Most will probably dismiss it as fantasy but what if you could actually get there? Recently a long-time This is Money reader got in touch to tell us that he had managed just that... at the age of 36. Ollie Perry was happy to share his story, not to boast but to try to inspire others and to show that it isn't just wealthy boomers who can manage to make an Isa million. On this podcast, Ge...
Oct 24, 2025•57 min
Rachel Reeves is in a sticky position ahead of the Budget. Forecasts suggest she will need £30billion to balance the books - and having made such a fuss about the Tory 'black hole' and her fiscal rules, the Chancellor is in a bind. Problematically, the government also painted itself into a corner with Labour's election pledge not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT - which amount for two-thirds of tax revenue. So what can Rachel Reeves do? Should she fiddle at the edges and try to rai...
Oct 17, 2025•1 hr 2 min
AI hype is still driving share prices higher but there are a growing number of voices warning of a stock market bubble that might soon burst. The Bank of England added its name to the list of those raising concerns this week, as its Financial Policy Committee drew comparisons with the ‘dotcom’ boom 25 years ago that soon turned to bust. The red flags include a number of high profile, huge money deals involving OpenAI, with Oracle, Nvidia and now AMD, along with a massive data centre infrastructu...
Oct 10, 2025•52 min
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...
Oct 03, 2025•57 min
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? This week, 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 goi...
Sep 26, 2025•48 min
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. On this special episode of the This is Money Podcast, Simon Lambert is joined by Lisa Caplan, director of Charles ...
Sep 25, 2025•31 min
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 of the This is Mon...
Sep 20, 2025•49 min
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 tax payer 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. And 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...
Sep 12, 2025•52 min
As the founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, Greg Jackson knows more about Britain's household energy than almost anyone else. In this 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 discuss...
Sep 10, 2025•32 min
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...
Sep 05, 2025•1 hr 5 min
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. Hele...
Aug 29, 2025•39 min
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. This week, 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 ...
Aug 22, 2025•45 min
Down valuations are on the rise, so what happens if you and your mortgage lender don't agree on your new home's value? This week, 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 thr...
Aug 15, 2025•1 hr
The Bank of England has cut interest rates again, but this time, the decision wasn’t straightforward. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane ask what the division in the Monetary Policy Committee tells us about the state of the economy right now, and what the cut means for our money. We also talk about plans to hit those in wealthier areas with bigger council tax bills. Why is the current system so unequal, and how could your area be affected? Helen discusses a water company who told an elderl...
Aug 08, 2025•44 min
While the average household pays £16,700 in direct tax on income, our audit shows this is just the tip of the iceberg. We all pay a multitude of other taxes, from air passenger duty to environmental levies on our energy bills. Lee Boyce, Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost discuss what the total sum is - and that our tax rate is more like 57 per cent. And tax rises don't always bring in more cash for the Treasury coffers. As the Government weighs up introducing yet another tax - this time a wealth t...
Aug 01, 2025•58 min
A stark warning has been sounded that the state pension age could have to rise to 74 for those under-30s. The Institute for Fiscal Studies' pronouncement in the same week that the government announced a state pension review set the cat amongst the pensions. But would Labour - or any party - really hike the state pension age that high? Wouldn't it be political suicide and spark protests in the street? The IFS warning hinged around the triple lock and balancing the books, but it's clear that the r...
Jul 26, 2025•44 min
How do you solve a problem like high house prices without sinking the economy? That's a conundrum that's kept politicians and central bankers awake at night for years. Now there's a new plan. Rachel Reeves unveiled a push for bigger mortgages this week, with the backing of the Bank of England, financial watchdogs, banks and building societies? Protections in place since the credit crunch-induced crash will be swept away. Are we forgetting the lessons from the financial crisis or adjusting the ru...
Jul 18, 2025•1 hr 3 min
The slashing of the cash Isa was considered a nailed on certainty in next week's Mansion House speech, but now it seems Rachel Reeves has had a change of heart. So, has the cash Isa allowance been saved for good, or is this just a victory for now - before the axe falls in the Budget? On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce discuss what next for the cash Isa and whether there was any merit in plans to cut the allowance. Plus, why has Nvidia become the world's first ...
Jul 11, 2025•58 min
Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 04, 2025•58 min
The nation's favourite savings product has just got a little less generous. The prize rate on NS&I's supremely popular Premium Bonds will be slashed from 3.8 per cent to 3.6 per cent from the August draw - the fifth cut since March 2024. On this week's podcast, Helen Crane, Tanya Jefferies and Georgie Frost discuss why Premium Bonds are the Marmite of the savings world, and ask whether the latest cut will prompt devotees to jump ship. We also look at where else they could stash their rainy d...
Jun 28, 2025•45 min
Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 7 min
What would you do with £208million? Ahead of another Euromillions rollover, This is Money spoke to an adviser to those fortunate few who have scooped a jackpot to get some practical tips on what to do if you win big…just in case! Would friends and family be top of your list when it comes to how to spend it... or something else? Lee Boyce, Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost discuss. Simon turns his focus on The Big Winter Fuel u-turn and the spending review – 'pray for Rachel and all of us,' he says...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Tax is an increasingly taxing subject for many people who feel hard done by as Britain’s complicated system catches them out. From quirks of the system, such as the 60 per cent tax trap and child benefit removal, to the childcare cliff edge, frozen thresholds, and pensions soon to be dragged into inheritance tax , there’s a whole host of things to drive us mad. And, it’s getting worse. The Tories and now Labour have both chosen to ratchet up the things that trip people up to raise money, rather ...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Banks have many tricks up their sleeves to try to attract customers and reward loyalty but Britain's biggest building society Nationwide appears to have hit upon a winning formula. Its Fairer Share payments are back for a third year, with a £100 bonus for qualifying members. Fairer Share has been credited with helping boost Nationwide's already strong position in the current account market. The payments were announced as Nationwide posted bumper pre-tax profits of £2.3billion in the year to Apri...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 23, 2025•55 min
How long did you take looking round your home before you put an offer in for it? The average prospective buyer spends just 43 minutes. Surprise, surprise, research suggests that it pays to take your time. This is week, Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce talk about what should be on your checklist before you take the plunge and buy a property. Should you go by vibes alone, or do you really need to kick the tyres? And when you do buy, what happens if the seller leaves junk like a mouldy fr...
May 16, 2025•51 min
Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia. Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmedia Follow us on X @dmgnewmedia Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk Text us 020 7938 6000. Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane Producer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 09, 2025•55 min
When it comes to investing, it's stock markets that regularly hog the headlines but it's government bond markets that really matter. Share prices taking a prolonged tumble is one thing but if bonds take a hammering, the financial world starts to really the notice. A textbook example occurred a few weeks ago when in the aftermath of Donald Trump's introduction of US tariffs, stock markets took a dive and the President refused to budge. But when bond market ructions started to get investors and ev...
May 02, 2025•59 min
