This is Money Podcast

Inheritance tax- punches above it s weight. It is paid by only a small minority of estates, yet manages to be Britain's most hated tax and its most controversial. Some believe it's immoral double taxation and should be axed altogether, others say crank it up - and somewhere in the middle there are many people who feel that taking 40 per cent is just too much. But it's also a tax that even those with an expensive home and plenty of savings can generally avoid if they choose, by spending more and giving more away in their lifetime. The problem is that they need to survive seven years or they may get caught by some very outdated gifting allowances. Yet, there is a little-known loophole that allows people to give away considerably more without worrying about the seven-year rule. On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce, Simon Lambert look at inheritance tax and the surplus income rule. They discuss this trick to beat death duties and the catches it comes with and all the other rules surrounding IHT. Also on this week's show: noisy heat pumps, the British Isa meets its maker and our failure to support the high streets that we moan about dying.

A bad news Budget looks to be on the cards after Labour continued to pour cold water on optimism its own election victory this week. Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a gloomy speech saying the Budget was going to be painful, hot on the heels of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' own gloom-mongering. But having made a promise not to raise the rates of income tax, national insurance, VAT and corporation tax, where will the goverenment try to raise cash. Starmer said tax rises would target those with the 'broadest shoulders' but who are they - and are there really enough of the very wealthy to target or will the burden be more likely to fall once again on those in the rich middle. On this podcast, we look at what taxes could rise and what a capital gains tax, pension, inheritance or other raid could mean for people. Plus, Britain's biggest mortgage lender Halifax is upping what it will lend first-time buyers, Crane goes on the case of an Evri bungle and asks shouldn't you be within your rights to expect a parcel to arrive? And finally, with the Oasis ticket scramble in full effect and ticket prices sky high, can you protect against a potential Gallagher brother blow up or anything else that would stop you going? (If that is you can get tickets in the first place, of course).

Gold has hit record highs this week and has rocketed so far this year. What’s driving the price and how do you invest? This week, Tanya Jefferies, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce turn their attention to the precious metal – a notoriously volatile investment, but yet seen as a safe haven. Energy bills will be back on the up, with the new Ofgem price cap announced for October. Is it worth fixing before the hike comes in? And one in four are expected to struggle this winter with their energy bills – just as the new Winter Fuel Payment is taken away for millions of households. We bust some myths on inherited state pension and ask how DWP can be dishing out incorrect information and also question whether annuity deals have peaked. Plus we run the rule over two juicy reader questions. Firstly, what are your rights if you drunkenly lend money to a friend? Secondly, what can you do about a property next door being converted into an HMO with six students?

This week, the consumer prices index measure of inflation nudged higher to 2.2 per cent. But what does this mean for future base rate decisions - and then in turn, mortgage rates and savings rates. This week, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost discuss the latest inflation figures and what the rest of the year has in store for the economy. Meanwhile, experts predict a busier housing market this autumn - but what makes them so sure? And watch out if you plan on taking your kids out of school during term time - you could face big fines, with the first change to the system since 2013. Is it fair that parents get fined for taking children on holidays and should there be a better system devised? We look at the supermarket winners and losers over the last decade - just how bad have things been for Asda. And our reporter Angharad Carrick takes a visit to west London Tesco to test its new anti-shoplifting measures. Is it any good?  We also run the rule over Aliexpress... and the bargain items that are almost too good to be true...

Stock markets around the world saw huge falls this week, but is it a sign of more trouble ahead or just a storm in a teacup?  Simon takes a look at what’s behind it all, and why investors should avoid the temptation to start tinkering with their portfolios once the horse has already bolted.  His advice is to ignore the voice in your head that says you should get out now to stave off disaster - but also pay attention to its existence. Good news for motorists, as car insurance premiums have started to fall for the first time in two years. Or is it?  They still remain at near-record highs, and are up a whopping 48 per cent since 2022. This is Money's Sam Barker discusses why premiums went so high, who has been worst affected, and how to keep costs down.  Staying on the topic of insurance, the UK has been gripped by riots in the past week and This is Money has been looking at what your compensation rights are if your home or car gets damaged. Elsewhere, Sam explains the latest tactic broadband firms are using to squeeze cash out of their customers - and asks why the regulator Ofcom appears to be looking the other way.  Mortgage rates have been shifting fast this week, and Simon rounds up the latest deals.  We also answer a question from a reader who wants to know what to do with his £80,000 redundancy pay-off.