The Sky News Business Podcast

Ian King speaks to the Chief Executive, Centre for Economics and Business Research about the UK economy, after latest figures showed it shrank 1.5% in the first quarter of this year. He'll find out why the boss of one of the world's biggest travel group's putting on more flights to Portugal.

The British Chambers of Commerce discusses the impact of policies set out in the Queen's Speech, how the BRIT Awards will look, considering coronavirus restrictions and analysis of a so-called 'SPAC' - which is being deemed by many as the 'hottest ticket in town' when it comes to companies listing on global stock markets.

Ahead of the next big easing of lockdown in England, Ian speaks to Vue cinema chief executive Tim Richards to discuss the impact. He also speaks to chief oil analyst Amrita Sen as the most important fuel pipeline in the US is hit by a cyber attack and the Bank of England thinks the UK will have its strongest growth for more than 7 decades as the economy recovers from the Covid crisis. Ian's joined by UK Financial Services Managing Partner Anna Anthony. Plus, he speaks to the founder of a new app targeted at young people to help mental health.

Ahead of the publication of the government's international green list, Ian's guests include easyJet's chief executive John Lundgren, Maria Elena Rossi from the Italian National Tourist Board and Brenda Collin, executive vice president at Preferred Hotels & Resorts. He's also discussing low-carbon energy, and how restrictions on weddings have hit the jewellery industry.

Ian King speaks to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry about suggestions Covid vaccine patents should be suspended to speed up the manufacturing process; Economics Editor Ed Conway looks at the Bank of England's revised forecast for GDP growth; and Ian hears about a bid to build a permanent memorial for victims of the pandemic.

Ian King explores a boost in profits for online retailer Boohoo, he speaks to a firm helping nightclub owners prepare for a return to the dancefloor and asks what impact a shift to stock vegan products has on smaller firms.

Ian King talks to guests on the UK's new post-Brexit trade deal with India, a new partnership between Uber and Arrival to design purpose-built electric cars for ride-hailing drivers and he explores how the pandemic has affected outdoor advertising revenue.

Ian King speaks to Nationwide's chief economist Robert Gardiner about a jump in house prices. Plus hear from The Times banking editor Katherine Griffiths about Barclays’ biggest quarterly profits in 13 years. And Hannah Kuchler, the global pharmaceuticals correspondent for the Financial Times, joins the show to discuss drugmaker AstraZeneca’s sharp rise in profits - and it’s not because of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Ian King speaks to the chief executive of Heathrow, John Holland Kaye, about the airport's £2.4 billion losses during the pandemic. Plus, we hear from Joe Sternberg, from the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal here in London, about President Biden's $4 trillion economic plan. And founder of Aardvark pet food, Hugo Walters, explains why the company wants to feed insects to household pets.

Ian King speaks to the chair of Tesco and the Covid Recovery Group, John Allan, about a plan set out by Britain's most powerful businesses to help the economy recover from the pandemic. Plus, hear from the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Mike Hawes, about how self-driving cars could be allowed on UK motorways by the end of the year. And Doctor David Staples - chief executive of the United Grand Lodge of England - talks about the Freemasonry organisation publishing its first ever annual report.