This is Money Podcast

0:00 59:06

Why is the bond market so powerful?

May 02, 2025

Georgie Frost Tanya Jefferies Simon Lambert

bond market government bonds investing stock markets state pension Sipp care annuity cash Isas tax-free saving allowance

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 even central bankers worried, Trump appeared to take heed and introduced his 90 day pause.

On this podcast episode, Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert discuss government bonds, the basics of how they work, why they matter and what impact they have on ordinary investors and our finances.

Plus, the state pension top-up mess that refuses to go away, how to find the best Sipp to invest for retirement, and is a care annuity the answer to our care costs problems or just a treatment for the symptoms?

And finally, there's been a mass stampede to cash Isas, what's going on - and is the tax-free saving allowance still likely to get chopped.

Tell us what you think about the This is Money Podcast

We are running a listener survey, to get your thoughts on what you like about the podcast and what we can improve.

We would really appreciate if you could take a few minutes to fill it in - you can do so here.

0:00 49:12

Banks want to lend you a bigger mortgage - but is that a good idea?

April 25, 2025

Georgie Frost Lee Boyce Simon Lambert

Sir Steve Webb

mortgages bank lending financial crisis interest rates retirement solar panels investing risk assessment British cars

Major banks are tweaking their rules to allow borrowers to get bigger mortgages, while a new upstart lender is offering seven times salary home loans.

Is this a welcome easing of the too tight rules to suit people’s needs or the start of a recipe for financial disaster?

On this week’s podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert dive into the world of mortgages and look at whether lenders are coming up with a solution or creating more problems.

Is this a repeat of the heady days before the financial crisis, have stress tests helped borrowers avoid the stress of rising rates, and would you even want a seven times income mortgage?

Plus, is the Bank of England about to aggressively cut interest rates in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariff chaos.

Also on this episode, why our retirement expert Sir Steve Webb is loving his new solar panels and how to work out what kind of investor you are and how much risk you should take.

And finally, a definitive list of the 50 best British cars of all time has been released, do you agree with it?

0:00 55:52

Is it finally time for the UK stock market to shine?

April 17, 2025

Georgie Frost Simon Lambert

UK stock market investors FTSE tariffs savings NS&I bonds cash Isa consumer rights

Amid Donald Trump's tariff madness, there may be a silver lining for British investors.

With American exceptionalism swiftly being replaced with American erraticism, the UK is attracting the eye of international investors.

They see the FTSE - and its European counterparts - as a relative bastion of sanity and somewhere that a rules-based trading system can ride out the storm away from a US government seemingly intent on tearing up the rulebook and throwing the pieces in the air to see where they land.

But this isn't the first occasion that investors have heard the siren call of a revived UK stockmarket, only to have their hopes dashed on the rocks, so will it be different this time?

On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert discuss whether UK shares will be a tariff winner - and where else investors can turn to make a profit.

Plus, how much should you have in savings at different ages and are NS&I's new bonds or cash Isa table-topping rates from savings apps a way to get there.

And finally, a question from a reader who asks what they can do about a neighbour who borrowed their lawnmover and broke it... and what our consumer rights lawyer's answer reveals about Georgie.

Tell us what you think about the This is Money Podcast

We are running a listener survey, to get your thoughts on what you like about the podcast and what we can improve.

We would really appreciate if you could take a few minutes to fill it in - you can do so here.

0:00 34:34

Are two-year mortgages fashionable again - and why are first-time buyers borrowing less from family?

April 11, 2025

Helen Crane Georgie Frost

two-year mortgages five-year deals UK Finance first-time buyers property market TSB data savings rates listener survey

For years, two-year fixes were the mortgage of choice for most homeowners - but borrowers piled into five-year deals in 2022 and 2023 in a bid to lock in super-low rates.

Now, UK Finance figures show shorter fixed deals are once again back in vogue.

Does that mean people think rates are heading down - and what do you need to think about when choosing yours? This is Money's Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss.

Elsewhere in the property market, TSB data reveals that the average first-time buyer is now past their 30th birthday in all but one region of Britain.

Perhaps more surprisingly, though, the amount people borrowed from family to get on the property ladder went down last year.

The team ask why that is, and tips for saving a house deposit.

Donald Trump's tariffs have continued to dominate the headlines this week, causing a whirlwind on the global markets.

Is this going to bring down savings rates for good, and what can people do with their money instead?

On the bright side, though, it means there might be a very short window in which you can buy a cheap TV.

We are also running a listener survey, to get your thoughts on what you like about the podcast and what we can improve.

We would really appreciate if you could take a few minutes to fill it in - you can do so here.

0:00 57:45

Trump tariff shock rocks the markets: What happens next?

April 04, 2025

Georgie Frost Simon Lambert Lee Boyce

Trump tariffs global recession markets UK economy pensions investments mortgages energy bills savings apps cash Isa rates

Markets around the world have slumped, the dollar weakened and fears mount of a global recession, after Donald Trump announced huge 'reciprocal' tariffs on over 100 countries.

The UK appears to have got off lightly, attracting just the baseline 10 per cent tariff - but even that will wipe out the Chancellor's beloved headroom and leaves the door wide open for tax rises in the Autumn.

How else could it hit us here? From pensions, investments, mortgages and energy bills, Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce try to unpick a crazy few days in the geopolitical arena.

As Isa providers continue to battle it out to win new customers ahead of the end of the tax year, we've seen some chunky deals.

A quartet of savings apps have all boosted rates repeatedly in the last week, with the top cash Isa rate of 5.9 per cent up from 5.28 per cent just a week ago.

The catch? These bonus boosts only last three months, so how good is the rate you're really getting over the whole year? And are these deals worth it?

And on the topic of Isas, Simon has his very, very last minute tips on filling your allowance before it's too late.

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Why is the bond market so powerful?

Banks want to lend you a bigger mortgage - but is that a good idea?

Is it finally time for the UK stock market to shine?

Are two-year mortgages fashionable again - and why are first-time buyers borrowing less from family?

Trump tariff shock rocks the markets: What happens next?

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