This is Money Podcast

Steve Webb, a British pensions expert and former UK pensions minister, celebrates 500 columns by tackling listeners’ retirement questions. He discusses inheritance tax and pension pots, tax-free withdrawals, accessing pensions before 57, taxable state pensions, and the risks of deferring them. He also explores McCloud delays and the importance of keeping pension records in order.

Kemi Badenoch’s inheritance tax proposal puts family homes at the centre of a lively money debate, alongside practical ways to reduce future bills. The discussion also explores Lifetime ISA penalties and a replacement for first-time buyers, Tesco’s prediction of a less boozy Christmas, how to secure a free will, and Jaguar’s £120,000 electric gamble.

Could the pension triple lock be replaced by a double lock, and what would that mean for retirees and younger workers? The discussion also explores councils taking over long-empty homes, the fastest-growing self-employed jobs, handling a major workplace pay gap, and the impact of a new vape tax.

Could raising the tax-free personal allowance to £15,570 shake up the Budget? The team explores a radical income-tax overhaul, soaring UK energy bills and whether buy-to-let still pays. They also examine Airtel Money’s planned London listing, Airbnb’s indoor-camera privacy rules, the office-versus-home-working debate and the rising cost of filling a diesel car.

Mortgage rates are climbing despite the Bank of England holding interest rates, leaving borrowers facing painful remortgage shocks. The discussion weighs locking savings above 5% against investing in gilts, explores inheritance tax traps and looming pension changes, and examines why wealthy Britons are relocating to Greece. Plus, fixed energy deals that could beat future price-cap rises.

Could early retirement be within reach, and how much would you need to save at 45, 50 or 55? The discussion explores pensions, ISAs, housing costs and flexible work, alongside fresh inflation fears, rising bills and mortgage pressures. It also debates England’s new landlord register, the eye-watering tax bill of a hedge fund billionaire, and a rare Disney trading card worth thousands.

UK borrowing costs are surging, putting pressure on the Budget, mortgages and savings. The team explores the return of stoozing, fake British boutiques selling poor-quality imports, and whether dining rooms deserve a revival. Plus, frozen tax thresholds are pulling more than a million pensioners into higher-rate tax.

Tanya Jefferies, pensions and investments expert, explains why the full state pension may trigger income tax and who could be excluded from the proposed waiver. She also explores the growing risk of retirees renting, how much extra renters might need to save, and why landlords are offloading flats — plus whether flats still make sense for buyers.

A deep dive into Premium Bonds' big rate and prize boost and whether they now stack up against savings accounts. Discussion of why NS&I raised rates and how odds and typical returns shift for different savers. A troubling Land Registry backlog that can block remortgages and leave homeowners out of pocket. A look at rising inflation and energy costs and what that means for fixing bills. New rules and limits for plug-in solar panels.

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.