Logo
    Search
    Home > Episode > Afternoon Briefing Wednesday 1

    Podcast Summary

    • BT emphasizes business support, BBC faces allegations, and mortgage rates rise: BT advocates for business resilience, BBC deals with presenter controversy, and mortgage borrowers face higher rates, affecting millions

      Businesses of all sizes and types need support to thrive, as emphasized by BT's sponsorship message. Meanwhile, the serious allegations against a BBC presenter have sparked debate about the use of parliamentary privilege and the potential impact on the BBC and the government. In the economic sphere, the average 2-year fixed mortgage rate has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, affecting over 2.7 million people who need to remortgage in the coming years. The Bank of England is closely monitoring the cumulative effect of interest rate rises on the economy. The Federal Reserve also paused its rate hikes this month, signaling a potential shift in monetary policy. Overall, these developments highlight the complexities and challenges facing various sectors, from media to finance.

    • UK Government Urges Businesses to Resist Further Pay Increases to Control Inflation: The UK government is urging businesses to resist further pay increases to help control inflation, with public sector wages being a significant factor. The government is carefully considering pay review reports but has not made any definitive decisions yet.

      Despite a 7.3% wage increase in the past three months, the UK government is urging businesses to resist further pay increases to help control inflation, which currently stands at 8.7% and the government aims to reduce to around 5% by the end of the year. The public sector, which the government has the most control over, is a significant factor in this situation. The government is carefully considering public sector pay review reports but has not made any definitive decisions yet. Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, is determined to bring down inflation, and the public sector's wages are a significant lever the government can pull to help achieve this goal. It's a delicate balance between keeping wages competitive while managing inflation, and the government is taking a cautious approach. Other topics covered in the discussion included a crocodile's inability to stick out its tongue and promotions for budget-friendly luxury items from Quince.

    Recent Episodes from Times news briefing

    Related Episodes

    Mortgage mayhem, savings frenzy: What on earth is going on?

    Mortgage mayhem, savings frenzy: What on earth is going on?
    The mortgage market is mayhem, with lenders pulling deals and rapidly hiking rates.

    Average fixed mortgage rates have soared over the past month and we are now at the stage where it looks a lot like the panic after the mini-Budget.

    At the same time savings rates are going gangbusters and there is barely a day that passes without a new best buy.

    Meanwhile, UK gilt yields have also leapt, sending the UK’s borrowing costs even higher.

    What on earth is going on? On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert dive in and try to explain why the sudden inflation-driven chaos has kicked off and what borrowers and savers can do.

    What should you do if you need a mortgage?

    Is this a prime time to grab a savings deal or should you wait for better rates?

    How does it compare to the double-digit rates days of the 1980s? 

    What does this mean for the economy?

    Are we all doomed? Or will this pass?

    Listen to the podcast to find out their views and get tips on how to sort your mortgage and savings.

    This is Money Podcast
    enJune 17, 2023
    inflation
    savings
    interest_rates
    housing_market
    mortgage_rates

    Have we turned the corner on high inflation or could it bounce back?

    Have we turned the corner on high inflation or could it bounce back?
    The inflation spike took central banks, governments and many ordinary people by surprise but Britain’s cost of living problem has proved more stubborn that most.

    The latest set of official figures on consumer prices index inflation seem to show that the UK may be making some headway on getting it down.

    Aided by a substantial drop in the energy price cap, annual CPI inflation fell to 6.8 per cent in July – down from 7.9 per cent in June.

    Does that mean we have turned a corner on inflation and can look forward to Rishi Sunak delivering on his promise of halving it this year?

    Or were there once again some hidden nasties in the inflation report that could mean it takes longer to subside?

    On this week’s podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert dig into the inflation data and look at why economists decide that real wage growth was something to worry about.

    The team look at what this could mean for interest rates and where they will peak – and what that in turn means for mortgaged homeowners and savers.

    Also this week, the triple lock is set to deliver another big state pension boost, is that fair?

    Plus, why did Nationwide freeze a reader’s bank account for their charitable work.

    And finally, would you try to fix your own furniture? Here’s how some mayonnaise and an iron could help revive your dining table and more.

    This is Money Podcast
    enAugust 18, 2023
    inflation
    central_bank
    mortgage_rates
    wage_growth
    economic_factors

    Inflation hits double digits for the first time since 1982: How does today compare to 40 years ago?

    Inflation hits double digits for the first time since 1982: How does today compare to 40 years ago?
     Inflation is up again with CPI now measured at 10.1 per cent, the highest since February 1982, when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister. 

    How does this bout of inflation compare to then?

    Lee Boyce, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss the higher than forecast inflation rate and what is driving it.

    With that rate of inflation soaring, a majority of economists believe another 0.5 percentage point increase in base rate is on the cards next month.

    But what would a base rate of 3, 5 or 7 per cent do to mortgage rates and property prices?

    Britons are estimated to have billions 'lost' in pension, investment and bank accounts – how do you go about tracking it down?

    And with thousands of students opening their A Level results this week, Lee reveals how he has already built a £10,000 investment pot for his three-year-old, in case she decides to go into further education.

    This is Money Podcast
    enAugust 19, 2022
    inflation
    housing
    cost_of_living
    mortgage_rates
    unclaimed_assets

    Mortgage mayhem has stalled but what happens next?

    Mortgage mayhem has stalled but what happens next?
    After months of mortgage mayhem some better news finally arrived this week with major lenders delivering a slew of hefty rate cuts.

    Halifax, Nationwide, and NatWest have all delivered big chops to their home loans, with analysts saying that we may be past the moment of peak panic in the mortgage market.

    That’s the silver lining to a very dark cloud though, as mortgage rates are far higher than they have been in recent years and almost all of those whose fixes come up for renewal will face paying much more.

    So if this is the end of Mortgage Mayhem Part 2 (the uncalled for sequel to Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng’s original instalment), what happens next?

    On this week’s podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert survey the wreckage of the past few months and look at what could come next for mortgage rates and homeowners?

    With higher rates here for the foreseeable future, they also discuss what this means for people’s finances and how mortgage hikes are likely to eat most people’s pay rises and then some. Simon explains why after such a long period of stagnant real wages, this is a major problem.

    In cheerier news, Premium Bonds have had another big bump up in the prize rate, so are they now a no-brainer?

    (For those listening to the podcast and looking for it, here is the link to our Premium Bonds winning stats piece Simon mentions).

    Plus, what is the tale of good customer service that Simon has returned from holiday with?

    And finally, how did Helen go viral with an old carrier bag?

    This is Money Podcast
    enAugust 11, 2023
    inflation
    renting
    savings
    cost_of_living
    mortgage_rates

    Could this be the peak for interest rates - and what will it mean for you?

    Could this be the peak for interest rates - and what will it mean for you?
    Are we nearly there yet? The Bank of England hiked interest rates again this week, adding 0.5 per cent to take base rate to 4 per cent.

    That’s a level that it was almost unthinkable we’d reach so quickly a year ago, but rates have gone up hard and fast.

    The questions now are will base rate stall and when will it come back down again? But while the Bank of England has sent rates up like a rocket, it’s forecast show that they will only fall like a feather.

    On this week’s podcast, Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert look at how likely those forecasts are to be correct and what this all means for the economy, mortgages, savings and first-time buyers.

    Also on the show, Tanya explains another potential state pension scandal that her and Steve Webb have uncovered and Steve joins the podcast to talk through it.

    Sam North, of eToro, gives us a market update and explains why investors have sent stock markets soaring at the start of 2023.

    The clock is ticking on the tax year and Simon explains why he thinks the next couple of months are vitally important for getting money into an Isa and potentially selling some investments to do so.

    And finally, do you love your tumble dryer? Many do but worry they can’t afford to run them. Fear not, help might be at hand.

    This is Money Podcast
    enFebruary 03, 2023
    inflation
    isas
    mortgage_rates
    universal_credit
    national_insurance
    Logo

    © 2024 Podcastworld. All rights reserved

    TwitterYouTubeInstagramPinterestFacebookLinkedIn

    Company

    About usBlogPricingTestimonials

    Pages

    PodcastsEpisodesTopics

    Support

    Refund PolicyTerms of ServiceContact usPrivacy Policy

    Stay up to date

    For any inquiries, please email us at hello@podcastworld.io