Investing Unlocked

Why Rising Gilt Yields Matter – with Cherry Reynard

UK government borrowing costs have climbed to their highest levels in decades – and suddenly the bond market is back in focus. In this episode of Investing Unlocked Extra, Georgie Frost is joined by author and award-winning investment journalist Cherry Reynard to unpack what’s happening in the gilt market, why investors are getting nervous about Britain’s finances and what it could mean for mortgages, pensions and the wider economy. They discuss: * What gilts actually are – and why they matter * Why rising yields affect mortgage rates and borrowing costs * Whether this is another “Liz Truss moment” * The role of inflation, energy prices and political instability * Why bond markets care so much about fiscal credibility * Whether UK government debt is becoming a problem * How gilts show up in pensions and investments * Whether bonds are actually attractive again for investors Cherry also explains the famous “bond vigilantes” idea, why markets can intimidate governments, and whether Britain’s finances are more fragile than many people realise. If you’ve heard people talking about gilt yields and wondered why it matters to your own money, this episode breaks it down clearly, calmly and without jargon. Thank you to our sponsor PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes] - a leading online pension provider who is on a mission to build pension confidence so that you can enjoy a happy retirement. With PensionBee, you can manage your pension savings with ease and can combine and contribute all from one app. If you're over the age of 55 (rising to 57 from 2028) you can start making pension withdrawals [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/pension-withdrawal?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]with ease and in a way that suits you. PensionBee’s website and award-winning app make retirement planning simple with helpful tools like a Pension Calculator [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/pension-calculator?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes], blogs [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/blog?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes], videos [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpVxqKCXMkiRL1GVgQERSHA] and a monthly podcast - The Pension Confident Podcast [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/podcast?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]. Take control of your retirement today with PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]. When investing, your capital is at risk. To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Investing Unlocked with Georgie Frost [https://www.youtube.com/@InvestingUnlockedUK/], to watch the video version Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investing.unlocked/ [https://www.instagram.com/investing.unlocked/] Georgie Frost Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiefrostmoney/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/georgiefrostmoney/?hl=en] LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/georgie-frost-a1b090110 [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/georgie-frost-a1b090110]

Is Property Still a Safe Investment? – with Rob Dix

For generations, we’ve been told that property is the "default" safe bet. But the world is changing fast. Landlord numbers are falling, and interest rates are staying higher for longer. In this episode of Investing Unlocked, Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert sit down with Rob Dix – author, landlord and co-founder of Property Hub – to ask if investing in property is still worth it. And if it is, how do you actually do it well? They interrogate the long-held British belief that "my property is my pension," identifying who property genuinely suits as an asset class – and who should walk away. The conversation also covers what actually makes a "good" investment property in 2026 and exactly what you’ll need to consider before you even think about buying. For anyone who has ever assumed property is "safe as houses”, this episode will make you think again. Thank you to our sponsor PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes] - a leading online pension provider who is on a mission to build pension confidence so that you can enjoy a happy retirement. With PensionBee, you can manage your pension savings with ease and can combine and contribute all from one app. If you're over the age of 55 (rising to 57 from 2028) you can start making pension withdrawals [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/pension-withdrawal?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]with ease and in a way that suits you. PensionBee’s website and award-winning app make retirement planning simple with helpful tools like a Pension Calculator [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/pension-calculator?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes], blogs [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/blog?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes], videos [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpVxqKCXMkiRL1GVgQERSHA] and a monthly podcast - The Pension Confident Podcast [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/podcast?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]. Take control of your retirement today with PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]. When investing, your capital is at risk. To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Investing Unlocked with Georgie Frost [https://www.youtube.com/@InvestingUnlockedUK/], to watch the video version Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investing.unlocked/ [https://www.instagram.com/investing.unlocked/] Georgie Frost Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiefrostmoney/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/georgiefrostmoney/?hl=en] LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/georgie-frost-a1b090110 [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/georgie-frost-a1b090110] Simon Lambert LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simon-lambert-26013233 [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simon-lambert-26013233] X/Twitter: https://x.com/_simonlambert?lang=en [https://x.com/_simonlambert?lang=en] Rob Dix Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therobdix/ LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/rob-dix Website: https://propertyhub.net/rob-dix/

Are Your Pensions at Risk? – with Tom McPhail

If you’ve got a pension, chances are big changes are coming - whether you realise it or not. From a brand new pensions bill to debates over the future of the triple lock, and even changes to salary sacrifice, the UK pensions landscape is shifting fast. In this episode of Investing Unlocked Extra, Georgie Frost speaks with pensions expert and Times columnist Tom McPhail about what’s changing, what it means for your retirement, and what you should actually be paying attention to. They also explore the growing tension between government control and individual choice, why trust in the system matters more than ever, and the simple steps people can take to stay on track. In this episode, we explore: * What the new pensions bill actually means for savers * Why the government wants “fewer, bigger, better” pension schemes * The controversy around the government’s proposed investment powers * What the triple lock is - and why its future is under threat * How changes to salary sacrifice could affect higher earners * Why many people are losing trust in pensions and investing * What younger generations are really up against financially * The simple steps you can take now to build a stronger retirement plan * If you’re unsure what all these changes mean for you - or whether you’re doing enough for retirement - this episode breaks it down in a way that actually makes sense. Thank you to our sponsor PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes] - a leading online pension provider who is on a mission to build pension confidence so that you can enjoy a happy retirement. With PensionBee, you can manage your pension savings with ease and can combine and contribute all from one app. If you're over the age of 55 (rising to 57 from 2028) you can start making pension withdrawals [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/pension-withdrawal?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]with ease and in a way that suits you. PensionBee’s website and award-winning app make retirement planning simple with helpful tools like a Pension Calculator [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/pension-calculator?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes], blogs [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/blog?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes], videos [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpVxqKCXMkiRL1GVgQERSHA] and a monthly podcast - The Pension Confident Podcast [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/podcast?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]. Take control of your retirement today with PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]. When investing, your capital is at risk. Guest Tom McPhail Pensions Expert & Times Columnist https://www.thetimes.com/profile/tom-mcphail [https://www.thetimes.com/profile/tom-mcphail] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-mcphail-9260a624/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-mcphail-9260a624/] X (Twitter): @PensionsMonkey Follow & Catch Up With Us Investing Unlocked Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investing.unlocked/ [https://www.instagram.com/investing.unlocked/] Georgie Frost Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiefrostmoney [https://www.instagram.com/georgiefrostmoney] LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/georgie-frost-a1b090110 [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/georgie-frost-a1b090110]

Why Smart People Make Poor Money Decisions – with Vicky Reynal

British households are sitting on £430 billion in cash that could be invested. So what's stopping us?  The truth is, most people are terrible with money - but it's not for lack of knowledge. It's how we're wired. In this episode of Investing Unlocked, Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert sit down with financial psychotherapist, Vicky Reynal - Times columnist and author of Money on Your Mind - for a rare look at the psychology behind our most common investing mistakes. They get into why intelligent, successful people still make poor money choices, how the beliefs we picked up in childhood shape the way we invest today, and how to rewire those subconscious patterns and take back control of your financial future. Thank you to our sponsor PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes] - a leading online pension provider who is on a mission to build pension confidence so that you can enjoy a happy retirement. With PensionBee, you can manage your pension savings with ease and can combine and contribute all from one app. If you're over the age of 55 (rising to 57 from 2028) you can start making pension withdrawals [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/pension-withdrawal?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]with ease and in a way that suits you. PensionBee’s website and award-winning app make retirement planning simple with helpful tools like a Pension Calculator [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/pension-calculator?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes], blogs [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/blog?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes], videos [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpVxqKCXMkiRL1GVgQERSHA] and a monthly podcast - The Pension Confident Podcast [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/podcast?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]. Take control of your retirement today with PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]. When investing, your capital is at risk. To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Investing Unlocked with Georgie Frost [https://www.youtube.com/@InvestingUnlockedUK/], to watch the video version Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investing.unlocked/ [https://www.instagram.com/investing.unlocked/] Georgie Frost  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiefrostmoney/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/georgiefrostmoney/?hl=en] LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/georgie-frost-a1b090110 [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/georgie-frost-a1b090110]

The End of Dollar Dominance? – with Emma Wall

From global equities to commodities like oil and gold, the US dollar sits at the centre of the financial system. When it moves, it can have a major impact on investment returns, inflation, and global markets. But the dollar’s dominance is increasingly being questioned. In this episode of Investing Unlocked Extra, Georgie Frost speaks with Emma Wall, Chief Investment Strategist at Hargreaves Lansdown, about what’s happening with the dollar, why central banks are diversifying into gold, and what it all means for UK investors.  They also discuss the government-backed campaign to get more Brits investing, and the rise of people asking AI tools like ChatGPT for financial advice. In this episode, we explore: • Why the US dollar affects almost every investor  • Whether the dollar is losing its global dominance  • Why central banks are buying more gold  • How currency movements affect your investment returns  • The new UK campaign encouraging more people to invest  • The risks of using AI for financial advice  If you're wondering how currency movements impact your portfolio, this episode breaks down the bigger picture. Thank you to our sponsor PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes] - a leading online pension provider who is on a mission to build pension confidence so that you can enjoy a happy retirement. With PensionBee, you can manage your pension savings with ease and can combine and contribute all from one app. If you're over the age of 55 (rising to 57 from 2028) you can start making pension withdrawals [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/pension-withdrawal?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]with ease and in a way that suits you. PensionBee’s website and award-winning app make retirement planning simple with helpful tools like a Pension Calculator [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/pension-calculator?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes], blogs [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/blog?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes], videos [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpVxqKCXMkiRL1GVgQERSHA] and a monthly podcast - The Pension Confident Podcast [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk/podcast?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]. Take control of your retirement today with PensionBee [https://www.pensionbee.com/uk?utm_source=partners&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investing_unlocked_shownotes]. When investing, your capital is at risk. To hear more from us: YouTube: Subscribe to our channel, Investing Unlocked with Georgie Frost [https://www.youtube.com/@InvestingUnlockedUK/], to watch the video version Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investing.unlocked/ [https://www.instagram.com/investing.unlocked/] Georgie Frost  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiefrostmoney/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/georgiefrostmoney/?hl=en] LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/georgie-frost-a1b090110 [https://uk.linkedin.com/in/georgie-frost-a1b090110]