This is Money Podcast

Two-thirds of savers are being told to abandon final salary pensions - and this is despite the Financial Conduct Authority saying that advisers should start with the standpoint this is not a suitable option.   That revelation arrived this week as the FCA said too much advice on valuable pensions is 'still not of an acceptable standard.'   Are people getting the right advice about their gold-plated pensions, or are they right to jump ship? That's the question tackled by editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost this week.   Meanwhile, a reader discovers an old Post Office Savings Bank book from the 1960s – but what is it worth now and can you even take the money out.   Premium bonds – how do you really find out you've won the jackpot?   Britain has a net zero emissions target for 2050, but what are the best electric cars to buy now?   And forget fantasy football, we reveal the details of our fantasy share picking game where the winner will scoop a giant £20,000 grand prize.

Much is made of the difficulties faced by first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder, but less talked about is the problem facing second steppers and those looking to downsize. As growing families struggle to afford to move up the property ladder could intergenerational house-swaps be the answer?  That's the question editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost tackle this week. What are the potential stamp duty and inheritance tax traps to look out for, and is it a good idea? Simon debunks the different ways businesses report profits and what to look out for, and updates on Neil Woodford. Lee runs the rule over the top easy-access savings deals as a number now match Marcus Bank's 1.5 per cent rate. Meanwhile, we talk about the plans to protect physical cash, as usage continues to dwindle – that, despite a launch of a new set of Peter Pan 50p capturing the public imagination.

It's been a rocky week to say the least for Britain's most recognisable fund manager Neil Woodford – he suspended trading in his flagship fund, leaving savers unable to access their cash. And we still don't know the future of Sir Philip Green and his Arcadia empire, after a crucial rescue vote was suspended. This is Money assistant editor Lee Boyce, retail reporter Emily Hardy and host Georgie Frost discuss how it has gone wrong for the pair. What has led Woodford to this point, could there be a Financial Conduct Authority investigation, are savers trapped in the fund safe – and can he recover? Arcadia – with brands like Burton and Topshop – could be set to close 50 stores with the loss of 1,000 staff. What is a CVA and why hasn't Sir Philip managed to get a deal approved this week? We also discuss the High Street in general and a worrying set of figures – what can be done to help stop the decline? Elsewhere, we run the rule over a 'bonkers' plan for first-time buyers to raid pension pots for deposits and Lee urges savers to engage with their retirement savings. And we finally manage to get the Pensions Minister to give us a precise figure on how many people may have received incorrect state pension forecasts.

We often talk about good retirement planning being key to more secure and happier future – but what happens if the figures you were working on were completely wrong – and it's not your maths to blame… Editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost discuss a string of incorrect state pension forecasts sent out that will result in many facing a poorer retirement than expected. The Government only admits to making occasional errors but a former Pensions Minister reckons the latest cases could just be the tip of the iceberg. Elsewhere, we talk about a new code which will be give better protection against authorised push payment scams, which costs people millions of pounds each year. We update on Tesco Bank and its stops mortgage lending and explores the sale of its loan book. Simon gives an overview of Buffettology – how can you can potentially channel your inner Warren Buffett to become a better investor. Could you be rich from the Premium Bonds and not even know it? And which firms offer the best salaries in Britain? It's all crammed inside this week's podcast.

The mortgage price war claimed a high profile victim this week as Tesco Bank scrapped lending.   A great adventure into the world of banking - billed as a major challenge to the High Street banking giants with mortgages promoted in the aisles – has come to an end.   Tesco Bank will continue with its other products, but why has it ditched mortgages, why have a string of other smaller players shut their doors in recent months, and why did building society behemoth Nationwide issue its own caution on home loans this week?   On this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Sarah Davidson and Georgie Frost dive into what is currently a weird world of mortgages: where a greater supply of money to lend than demand to borrow it means there are some very cheap deals on offer.   They also look at whether this may end up causing problems further down the line and ask how long it will be before more risky lending edges back in.   Also on this week’s show, the team look at a reader’s problem with a neighbour upstairs, who has stripped the floor back to floorboards and is creating noise issues, despite a lease that says there must be carpets. How do you enforce that?   Thomas Cook’s troubles and what they mean for holidaymakers are under the spotlight too.   And finally, ever wondered why sometimes drivers get a ticket but at others escape with just a warning, or what really drives police officers mad behind the wheel?    You need to listen to the segment on the secrets of a traffic cop revealed.

There’s an old saying that money doesn’t buy happiness, which is often swiftly countered with the suggestion that while this may be the case, having enough not to worry about it definitely helps. There are no shortage of cautionary tales that tell us it is better to be happy than rich, but does it matter if some people have an awful lot more money than others? And does it matter to both them and society how they got it - and whether it was earned by hard work? An in-depth five-year study was launched this week that aims to look into inequality in Britain; and not just at earnings and wealth, but also inequality in education, opportunity, gender, race, geography, class and generation. It arrived with a snapshot of Britain today and on this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert, Tanya Jefferies and Georgie Frost dive into the picture that paints and discuss whether we need to worry about inequality or not. They also look at how to work out how wealthy you are – and why that matters even if you subscribe to the money doesn’t buy happiness mantra. This week’s podcast also reveals the perks that you can get if you are over-60, after Jeff Prestridge wrote about those he discovered that he can now pick up now he’s had a big birthday. More seriously, the team flag the vital help that over-65s can get if they are struggling. And finally, if you’ve ever thought you’d like to live in a certain part of town, on an exact street, or even ‘in that house there’, we look at the new service Knock for Sale that will send owners a card for you for £5 to tell them you are interested and maybe tempt them to sell.

Many people say they would like to have a crack at a Grand Design of their own – or even a more modest one – but finding somewhere to build it is a problem. That’s why despite self-builders typically turning an immediate paper profit of 15 to 30%, according to specialist BuildStore, not many of us take the plunge.  Things could be about to change for the better, however, as keen to encourage more people to self-build the Government has told councils to launch Right to Build registers and make land available. On this week’s podcast, Simon Lambert and Georgie Frost dive into the world of building your own home and look at whether the plan to raise self-build’s profile will work or fizzle out. From finding a plot, to using an architect, and getting involved yourself or employing someone to build it for you, they discuss how to do – and the barriers that may stand in your way. Plus Simon reveals how both his parents and his uncle - on separate occasions - went down the self-build route. Also on this week’s podcast, the team look at whether pensioners should get a stamp duty break and if you can sell your home for less than it’s worth to avoid equity release and care costs. Neil Woodford’s claim that his strategy will come good is in the spotlight and Simon reflects on whether sticking with his Woodford investments was a wise move. And finally, Britain’s car buyers may love an SUV but we reveal why choosing one will hit your pocket harder than a good old fashioned estate car.

Social care is a mounting problem for Britain but the issue is a can that has been kicked down the road repeatedly. Rather than tackle the fact that the state can't afford to care for today's elderly - let alone those that our ageing population will deliver in future - politicians have dodged and fudged.  This week a new suggestion emerged involving a hike in National Insurance contributions for over-50s.  Editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost take a look and ask: is it a good idea?  Elsewhere, we take a look the MPG figures given by manufacturers for cars and how to tell if that local shop or restaurant has really closed down for good.  Simon talks about a new flight tax concept and we reveal how to fightback against the those irritating customer service chatbots.

We haven't glued ourselves to train carriages, politician fences or the London Stock Exchange. No, this week's This is Money podcast opts for a less confrontational approach to the environment, with useful tips and tricks that are good for the planet as well as your wallet.  Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost look at the green movement and what it means for the financial industry and businesses. Are they doing enough?  Alongside that, we look at what we - the consumer - can do to help the environment and save money along the way. Simon has three places you can make a big difference by adding pressure or changing behaviour, from picking green energy deals, to what to do about flying.  Meanwhile, the hybrid car of choice, the Toyota Prius, isn't just for Uber drivers and eco-conscious celebrities as it tops a survey of most satisfying motors to drive.  Elsewhere, outside of the green bubble – we look at where a pair of 40something business owners with no pension should invest.  We continue to puzzle over the baffling state pension top-up system and ask: just how far over the limit could you potentially drive in your area before being issued with a ticket?

TSB says defrauded customers will now always get their cash back, which has piled pressure on other banks to do the same. But will they – and should they have to? That's the question assistant editor Lee Boyce, reporter George Nixon and host Georgie Frost tackle in this week's podcast. In all, £354million was stolen last year authorised push-payment frauds and until now, banks had refused to pay compensation, claiming the victims should have been more careful. Elsewhere, we take a look at some of the new breed of smartphone apps could help you build a savings habit without even trying, as a report shows that many bury their head in the sand when it comes to financial decision making. Private landlords may no longer be able to evict tenants at short notice and without good reason under a major shake-up of the rental sector. The rate of annual house price growth in Britain has fallen to its lowest level for nearly seven years – with London and the South East seeing value drops. And finally, an investigation has found Amazon is flooded with fake reviews which could be misleading us into wasting our money – should we trust the five stars and how can you spot the duds?