This is Money Podcast

On this bonus episode of the This is Money podcast, Lee Boyce speaks to Bank of England chief cashier Victoria Cleland on her views over the future of cash.We talk about why preserving choice in payments is important, whether she fears physical money will die out and how we can stop Britain going totally cashless.How do we encourage retailers to accept cash and why are people turning away from using it? And how do we keep cash relevant. We also talk about the 'paradox of cash' where cash is used less frequently for transactions, notes in circulation continue to grow and whether it's fair part of our lives have seemingly gone cashless, including car parks.With the House of Lords recently announcing a National Resilience Committee looking at whether we should hold cash reserves at home - is there any ideal amount we should hold?Victoria's signature is on bank notes from 2014 - 2018, and on notes since last year again too after becoming chief cashier again - how does that feel?Also, we talk about the bank note consultation currently happening - why replace historical figures with wildlife? And has she been surprised by some of the backlash?There are 18 choices on the list, and nearly half a million people have cast their vote. Lee's favourite is a kingfisher on a fiver and a brown hare on a twenty... what are your picks?You can vote until 3 July: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/help-us-design-our-next-series-of-banknotes

Another one bites the dust. Sir Keir Starmer has resigned just two years in to being Prime Minister.This latest rotation of Britain's PM merry-go-round comes despite Starmer having done nothing particularly wrong. It wasn't scandal that brought down the Prime Minister, dramatic events, a vote of confidence, or a proper leadership challenge, just his party seemingly deciding it ws fed up with the man who won Labour a huge election majority.Andy Burnham is almost certainly set for a coronation as Prime Minister rather than a leadership contest, so what could that mean for tax, our personal finances and the economy.- and have Starmer and Rachel Reeves left us in a better state than when they took over?Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss what's happened and what could come next on this episode of the This is Money Podcast.Plus, tax will be charged on Isas for the first time as Reeves tries to block savers and investors from using a stocks and shares Isa loophole to avoid the new lower cash Isa limit. But is this yet more meddling that just makes things worse?And Lee talks to the lady who signs some of our bank notes. The Bank of England's chief cashier Victoria Cleland about new banknotes and why cash is still important.And finally, how much does a full green makeover add to your home's value?

Most families don't pay inheritance tax but those that do can get hit with huge bills running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.With pension pots soon to be included in calculations, this is going to be an issue facing more families in the years ahead.So if you know your parents or grandparents will get caught in their inheritance tax net, and you also know they don't want to 40 per cent of a chunk of their hard-won wealth going to the government, should you ask for an early inheritance to solve the problem.On this week's podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss how to tackle the thorny issue of giving money away, without triggering a family fallout.Plus, will the Bank of England still hike interest rates this year, how did a woman end up with another person's massive energy bill from the other side of the country, and is Labour's new plan to make home buyers' offers binding a good idea?And finally, Simon talks us through his shortlived SpaceX adventure after he decided to sign up for the latest stock market craze.

The government is planning a major inheritance shake-up for unmarried couples but does it go far enough and will it trigger a wave of disputes?On this week's podcast Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss the planned rules for co-habiting couples, who it covers, whether it goes too far or not far enough and why they still lose out on tax.Plus, how much do you need for a comfortable retirement and will you get there... plus what it will take in 25 years' time.How to invest in index funds and profit the easy way.And what can you do if someone ditches a car or van on your road?

It's the sort of theoretical question you might discuss at the pub with your mates. If you won the lottery and had the choice, would you pick a £1million lump sum, or take £1,000 a week for life?  Pollster YouGov posed the question to 7,000 Britons recently, and it is fair to say opinions are divided. According to two money experts, there is a right answer - so which is the best strategy, and why is likely to make you much richer? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Helen Crane discuss. Easy access savings rates have barely budged in recent weeks, but fixed-rate deals are becoming much more attractive. We look at some of the best - and Helen explains why a number of HSBC customers are feeling disgruntled after Isa transfers to the bank were hit with a raft of delays. The team also looks at Volvo's chaotic EV recall, and what drivers who have been told their car is a potential fire risk can do. It has been confirmed that the energy price cap will rise by 13 per cent in July, with costs for the average household climbing by £221. So is it worth thinking about fixing your tariff? And in this week's heatwave, we discuss data which reveals exactly how expensive it is to keep cool. Are new-fangled air cooler devices worth it, and is air conditioning as pricey as many assume?Follow us on Instagram @dmgnewmedia.Follow us on TikTok @dmgnewmediaFollow us on X @dmgnewmedia. Email us hello@dmgmedia.co.uk. Text us 020 7938 6000.Hosts: Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce, Helen Crane. Producer: Georgie Frost. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A week is a long time in politics... and what a week it’s been. But what does all the turmoil mean for our money? And can we blame it all on Labour?Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce discuss the threat to Keir Starmer's leadership and why it has caused some market panic. If the Prime Minister is ousted, what could the new man or woman in charge change when it comes to tax and wealth?Nearly a quarter of retailers now no longer accept cash - but there is a cohort of 'cash preppers' tucking money away at home in case of payment outages. Should we care?NS&I has bumped up the underlying rate on Premium Bonds and made the odds of winning a prize shorter - are they now a good home for your cash again?And finally, Lloyds Bank launches a first-time buyer mortgage requiring a £5,000 deposit. Is it a good way to step onto the property ladder?

With millions of seats being cut from flights worldwide, it's safe to say many Britons may be worried about future travel plans - or are being put off booking holidays altogether.The Middle East conflict has pushed up the price of jet fuel and airlines are having to plan ahead to try and ensure as little disruption as possible.But what can you do if you end up getting swept up in cancellations or delays? Helen Crane, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss.Also this week, Helen steps in to help a man finally get a £1,100 refund after his flight was cancelled in the pandemic... SIX years ago.The high street is in crisis, with TG Jones the next retailer to axe shops and staff. What's gone wrong? And it's no secret banks have closed branches at rapid pace - with banking hubs celebrating their fifth birthday, are they filling the gap well?More homeowners are selling off chunks of their garden. But what are the dangers and is it a good idea?And finally, six watches to invest in that experts say will become classics.