This is Money Podcast

Epizódy

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  How much money do you need to retire early? 11.09.2026 51min

  Retiring early, making your time your own and sticking it to the man is something many of us will have dreamed of.But what would it take you to get there and how much would you need to start investing now depending on your age and when you want to kick back?On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at the early retirement dream. Is it realistic, what do you gain and what do you give up, and why is it vitally important for some to use an Isa as well as a pension?One thing hampering many of our saving efforts is the cost of living and now inflation warnings are coming thick and fast again. How dire are the predictions, how likely are they to come true, what does it mean for the rest of your finances – and what’s the cost of a weekly shop got to do with things?Plus, the Renters’ Rights Act is about to deliver a landlord register but is that a good idea or more red tape.And finally, trading cards are worth big money and catching the attention at the moment, so how did Lee become an accidental collector?Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why the UK has a bond market problem - and what it means for you 05.09.2026 47min

  Is it crunch time on the bond markets or is this just another episode in a long-running soap opera that always leaves us on a cliff hanger?Turmoil on global bond markets has sent yields soaring on major countries' debt but the UK is suffering more than its rivals.So, what’s going on with the bond blowout? How bad is it? Why does the UK pay more to borrow than similar countries? And why is it bad news for the Budget and our finances?On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss the bond market, explain what's going on and why it matters to you.Stoozing is back. Do you stooze, would you stooze, what on earth is stoozing and is it wise?Plus, could you get duped by the British boutiques that are actually shoddy Chinese shops?And finally, a property report this week claimed the death of the dining room… but is it time to be contrarian and revive them? Revealing his true identity as a fully paid-up member of the property-owning bourgeoisie, Simon puts up a defence for the dining room - but do Helen and Georgie agree?00:00 Welcome to the This is Money podcast00:57 Why are UK government borrowing costs surging – and why should we care?06:36 Is the world’s debt problem getting out of control?10:46 What could the bond market turmoil mean for the Budget?17:35 What does it mean for mortgages, savings and your money?19:11 Stoozing is back: could you really make £750 from a 0% credit card?29:46 Fake British boutiques: are you really buying cheap clothes from China?38:03 Death of the dining room: do we still need one?45:37 Simon’s stat of the week: more than 1million pensioners paying higher-rate tax46:37 Podcast closeFollow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Is Britain headed for a retirement renting crisis? 28.08.2026 42min

  From next year, those in receipt of the full state pension will have to start giving some of it back to the government in income tax.The Treasury has put in place a ‘waiver’ system for less well-off pensioners – but it has been revealed this week that those who chose to defer their state pension could miss out because of the extra income they receive.On this week’s podcast, Georgie Frost is joined by This is Money’s Helen Crane and Tanya Jefferies to discuss whether that is fair, and how Britain’s state pension got so complicated. Staying on the subject of retirement, estimates of how much we have to save for old age usually assume we will own our homes and have paid off the mortgage by the time we quit work.But for a growing number of people, that isn’t the case – and a new study suggests those who rent during retirement could have to save £419,000 extra to afford it.With today’s youngsters expecting to get on the ladder later, or perhaps not at all, the problem is only set to worsen. The team discuss this shift and what people can do to prepare.Despite a greater need for rented homes, the property market is awash with landlords trying to offload flats. Who is going to buy them, and is it an opportunity for first-time buyers?And finally, from Lidl trainers to pizza menus and even Argos catalogues, we reveal the everyday items that could be tomorrow's collectables.00:00 – Introduction01:04 – Why some pensioners could face income tax on the State Pension05:00 – Who could miss out on the Government’s proposed tax waiver?09:47 – Should you still defer your State Pension?14:35 – The looming problem of renting in retirement19:00 – How much more do renters need to save for retirement?23:36 – Why are so many landlords selling their flats?27:28 – Are flats still worth buying?30:58 – Is buy-to-let becoming a professional investors’ game?36:08 – Could the junk in your house actually be worth money?39:56 – Why old Argos catalogues and pizza menus could become collectables41:08 – Crane’s compliment of the week: Sainsbury’s42:05 – OutroFollow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Bumper rate rise for Premium Bonds - are they now a no-brainer? 21.08.2026 38min

  NS&I has just boosted the Premium Bonds underlying rate again to its highest level in nearly two years. The odds of winning are better too, with more £50,000 and £100,000 prizes to boot.More than 22million of us hold Premium Bonds but after years of being beaten by the best savings accounts, are they suddenly looking like a good option again? And why raise the rate at all? Lee Boyce, Georgie Frost and Helen Crane discuss.11.34: Imagine you bought a house years ago, pay your mortgage every month... only to discover the Land Registry still hasn’t registered it in your name. It could mean you can’t remortgage and subsequently out of pocket. We discuss a case where this happened, why and a deluge of cases we are hearing about.20.54: Inflation is heading the wrong way again - up from 2.6% to 2.9% in July, largely thanks to higher energy costs. What does that mean for base rate?Energy bills are likely to head higher still, with forecasts of another rise price cap rise in October. Is it time to fix?29:11: And finally, plug-in solar panels can be legally sold from next week. But before we all rush out to buy them, we explain what you need to know...Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Is the property market coming back to life? 14.08.2026 52min

  After years of stagnant sales and plummeting prices…is the housing market about to take off again?Lee Boyce, Helen Crane and Georgie Frost discuss what's going with property values and hunt for green shoots of recovery.14:46: Some of Britain's biggest banks are offering far better savings rates under different brands. We look at where the deals are hiding and how much more you could earn.22:47: Crane is back on the case - this time, she resolves a reader problem with an £11,500 heat pump. It left some rooms at just 12°C – and their energy bills went up.33:07: A-level results day was this week - do the younger generation need to go to university?We talk about the pressures facing school leavers and why a degree isn't the only route to a successful career, running through best apprenticeships and jobs that don't require a degree.Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Do you need to worry about Making Tax Digital? 07.08.2026 43min

  Has tax just got a little more taxing? Making Tax Digital has come in, meaning hundreds of thousands of people need to make their first quarterly report to HMRC this week - and during the summer holidays to boot.Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce cover what you need to know about the changes and whether it’s a good move.How easy is it to find the right software, will it help reduce the ‘tax gap’ and who will need to start using it?A retirement giant has warned the Government’s inheritance tax raid on pensions next year will undermine faith in saving long-term for later life.Should people be worried about the changes or keep calm and carry on with their pension contributions?This week, a Premium Bonds £1million winner scooped the top prize with a bond bought only six months ago.Is that unusual? Or do many people win the seven-figure sum quickly? Lee reveals all.Heading off on summer holidays? We give a reminder about the dos and don’ts when it comes to spending overseas… and what does the actor Will Ferrell have to do with it? Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  We need to finally fix social care but who will pay? 31.07.2026 35min

  Is the can finally going to stop being kicked down the road on social care?Andy Burnham has promised to correct what he has called a ‘dereliction of duty’ by a generation of politicians.But how does he plan to succeed where so many before him have failed, can he pull it off and who is going to end up paying?On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss how to solve a problem that has defeated successive governments and created a reverse lottery where the unlucky losers can see their wealth wiped out.Meanwhile, there was no move for the Bank of England this week, as interest rates were held again, despite fears that the recent spike in energy prices could prompt another inflation shock. What does it all mean for our money?Plus, would you haggle at a high street store? Our man Toby Walne did, so what happened?And finally, is Britain’s beach hut boom over?Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Does Andy Burnham have the right ideas - and can we afford them? 24.07.2026 35min

  Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Should we raise state pension age or axe the triple lock? 17.07.2026 41min

  The rise in the state pension age looks likely to speed up again, as it was revealed this week that the Government has already been banking the gains.It is now almost certain that the state pension age will rise to 68 between 2037 and 2039, seven years earlier than the official timetable.But will it have to go up again and when? And is a further rise fair when life expectancy has stalled and it's the triple lock that's driving up costs?On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss the state pension, when you might get it and whether it's time for a rethink. Plus, how can you bridge the gap if you want to retire earlier by saving more yourself?Simon also explains how you can track down any old work pensions and get them working much harder for you.Lee discusses why it is taking so long to buy and sell homes and what can be done.And finally, in the week that SpaceX shares slipped below their IPO price, Simon reveals that he did what he said he was going to do and spent his IPO profits on a weekend away - but how much extra did he have to chip in?Listen to the podcast, tell us your thoughts at [email protected], and don't forget to subscribe.Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Is a mansion tax for properties 'worth' £1.5m or more fair? 10.07.2026 37min

  Twice as many households could be forced to pay a new 'mansion tax' latest speculation suggests - the threshold may fall from £2million to £1.5million.That rumour comes with Andy Burnham expected to be Prime Minister before the end of the month.So exactly who will be affected, which regions are most at risk and is the High Value Council Tax Surcharge fair?Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss as more middle-class homeowners potentially face an annual bill, which won't be ringfenced for local services.Also, the scourge of cowboy builders - trust in traders falls as millions grappled with shoddy home repairs in the past 18 months. How can you find a good tradesperson and what are your rights if things go wrong?NS&I is in panic mode as it is far below the amount required to meet its financial targets. As such, it has boosted rates across all products since April.Which ones should you open and which should you avoid?And lastly, the tricks to get you into VIP airport lounges for less this summer - even if you've booked economy...Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Halifax to vanish as Lloyds ditches the brand - should we care? 03.07.2026 48min

  Goodbye Halifax! It’s being scrapped by Lloyds after 173 years. But why would you kill off one of Britain’s best known and trusted banking brands?Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss the end of a very familiar name and talk through the history of what started out as a building society... and ask: is another historic name next?Also, Britons suffer the sharpest drop in wealth of any developed nation - what’s behind it and can we arrest the decline?The pensions gender pay gap is still big according to a whole raft of data. We share some key ways that women can boost their pensions…And finally, the secrets to selling on Vinted are revealed by someone who is raking in £12,000 a month selling old clothes.Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Bonus episode: Bank of England's Victoria Cleland on the future of cash - and wildlife on banknotes 01.07.2026 15min

  On this bonus episode of the This is Money podcast, Lee Boyce speaks to Bank of England chief cashier Victoria Cleland on her views over the future of cash.We talk about why preserving choice in payments is important, whether she fears physical money will die out and how we can stop Britain going totally cashless.How do we encourage retailers to accept cash and why are people turning away from using it? And how do we keep cash relevant. We also talk about the 'paradox of cash' where cash is used less frequently for transactions, notes in circulation continue to grow and whether it's fair part of our lives have seemingly gone cashless, including car parks.With the House of Lords recently announcing a National Resilience Committee looking at whether we should hold cash reserves at home - is there any ideal amount we should hold?Victoria's signature is on bank notes from 2014 - 2018, and on notes since last year again too after becoming chief cashier again - how does that feel?Also, we talk about the bank note consultation currently happening - why replace historical figures with wildlife? And has she been surprised by some of the backlash?There are 18 choices on the list, and nearly half a million people have cast their vote. Lee's favourite is a kingfisher on a fiver and a brown hare on a twenty... what are your picks?You can vote until 3 July: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/help-us-design-our-next-series-of-banknotesFollow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Can Andy Burnham fix Britain's tax and financial headaches? 26.06.2026 42min

  Another one bites the dust. Sir Keir Starmer has resigned just two years in to being Prime Minister.This latest rotation of Britain's PM merry-go-round comes despite Starmer having done nothing particularly wrong. It wasn't scandal that brought down the Prime Minister, dramatic events, a vote of confidence, or a proper leadership challenge, just his party seemingly deciding it ws fed up with the man who won Labour a huge election majority.Andy Burnham is almost certainly set for a coronation as Prime Minister rather than a leadership contest, so what could that mean for tax, our personal finances and the economy.- and have Starmer and Rachel Reeves left us in a better state than when they took over?Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss what's happened and what could come next on this episode of the This is Money Podcast.Plus, tax will be charged on Isas for the first time as Reeves tries to block savers and investors from using a stocks and shares Isa loophole to avoid the new lower cash Isa limit. But is this yet more meddling that just makes things worse?And Lee talks to the lady who signs some of our bank notes. The Bank of England's chief cashier Victoria Cleland about new banknotes and why cash is still important.And finally, how much does a full green makeover add to your home's value?Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Should you ask for an early inheritance? 19.06.2026 49min

  Most families don't pay inheritance tax but those that do can get hit with huge bills running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.With pension pots soon to be included in calculations, this is going to be an issue facing more families in the years ahead.So if you know your parents or grandparents will get caught in their inheritance tax net, and you also know they don't want to 40 per cent of a chunk of their hard-won wealth going to the government, should you ask for an early inheritance to solve the problem.On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss how to tackle the thorny issue of giving money away, without triggering a family fallout.Plus, will the Bank of England still hike interest rates this year, how did a woman end up with another person's massive energy bill from the other side of the country, and is Labour's new plan to make home buyers' offers binding a good idea?And finally, Simon talks us through his shortlived SpaceX adventure after he decided to sign up for the latest stock market craze.Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  House prices vs inflation: The slow motion property slump 12.06.2026 39min

  Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The big inheritance shake-up for unmarried couples - and what it means 05.06.2026 52min

  The government is planning a major inheritance shake-up for unmarried couples but does it go far enough and will it trigger a wave of disputes?On this week's podcast Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss the planned rules for co-habiting couples, who it covers, whether it goes too far or not far enough and why they still lose out on tax.Plus, how much do you need for a comfortable retirement and will you get there... plus what it will take in 25 years' time.How to invest in index funds and profit the easy way.And what can you do if someone ditches a car or van on your road?Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Would you take a £1m lump sum or £1,000 a week for life? 29.05.2026 39min

  It's the sort of theoretical question you might discuss at the pub with your mates. If you won the lottery and had the choice, would you pick a £1million lump sum, or take £1,000 a week for life?  Pollster YouGov posed the question to 7,000 Britons recently, and it is fair to say opinions are divided. According to two money experts, there is a right answer - so which is the best strategy, and why is likely to make you much richer? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane discuss. Easy access savings rates have barely budged in recent weeks, but fixed-rate deals are becoming much more attractive. We look at some of the best - and Helen explains why a number of HSBC customers are feeling disgruntled after Isa transfers to the bank were hit with a raft of delays. The team also looks at Volvo's chaotic EV recall, and what drivers who have been told their car is a potential fire risk can do. It has been confirmed that the energy price cap will rise by 13 per cent in July, with costs for the average household climbing by £221. So is it worth thinking about fixing your tariff? And in this week's heatwave, we discuss data which reveals exactly how expensive it is to keep cool. Are new-fangled air cooler devices worth it, and is air conditioning as pricey as many assume?Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmedia. Email us [email protected]. 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.Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Are you saving enough for a comfortable retirement? 22.05.2026 50min

  Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  What does more political chaos mean for your money and the economy? 15.05.2026 48min

  A week is a long time in politics... and what a week it’s been. But what does all the turmoil mean for our money? And can we blame it all on Labour?Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce discuss the threat to Keir Starmer's leadership and why it has caused some market panic. If the Prime Minister is ousted, what could the new man or woman in charge change when it comes to tax and wealth?Nearly a quarter of retailers now no longer accept cash - but there is a cohort of 'cash preppers' tucking money away at home in case of payment outages. Should we care?NS&I has bumped up the underlying rate on Premium Bonds and made the odds of winning a prize shorter - are they now a good home for your cash again?And finally, Lloyds Bank launches a first-time buyer mortgage requiring a £5,000 deposit. Is it a good way to step onto the property ladder?Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Should you worry about flights being cancelled and jet fuel shortages? 08.05.2026 49min

  With millions of seats being cut from flights worldwide, it's safe to say many Britons may be worried about future travel plans - or are being put off booking holidays altogether.The Middle East conflict has pushed up the price of jet fuel and airlines are having to plan ahead to try and ensure as little disruption as possible.But what can you do if you end up getting swept up in cancellations or delays? Helen Crane, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss.Also this week, Helen steps in to help a man finally get a £1,100 refund after his flight was cancelled in the pandemic... SIX years ago.The high street is in crisis, with TG Jones the next retailer to axe shops and staff. What's gone wrong? And it's no secret banks have closed branches at rapid pace - with banking hubs celebrating their fifth birthday, are they filling the gap well?More homeowners are selling off chunks of their garden. But what are the dangers and is it a good idea?And finally, six watches to invest in that experts say will become classics.Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmediaEmail us [email protected] us  020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen CraneProducer: Georgie Frost Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.