This is Money Podcast

Should we raise state pension age or axe the triple lock?

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 podcast@thisismoney.co.uk, and don't forget to subscribe. 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 [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Is a mansion tax for properties 'worth' £1.5m or more fair?

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 @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 [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Halifax to vanish as Lloyds ditches the brand - should we care?

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 @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 [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Bonus episode: Bank of England's Victoria Cleland on the future of cash - and wildlife on banknotes

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-banknotes 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 [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Can Andy Burnham fix Britain's tax and financial headaches?

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 @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 [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.