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One of the most welcome features of the UK Budget is the encouragement given to entrepreneurs to start their businesses, scale them to full commercial vibrancy, and stay in the UK rather than taking them overseas: and, for us and The Share Foundation, the special 'Young Entrepreneur's Allowance' in England. This should provide an important alternative for the one million young people not in education, employment or training, and we look forward to it being included in Alan Milburn's forthcoming review. However, it will require an attitudinal transformation for many, and our commentary points to a potential way forward. Background music: 'The Plan's Working' by Cooper Cannell.

The news that Anthropic and Elon Musk have committed to make a start in sharing their wealth creation is a significant step towards 'Stock for Data & Creativity'. It's been followed by a frank recognition of the challenge ahead from Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft. However, he and Anthropic are basing their ideas on too much intermediation, while Elon Musk is just focused on American recipients. Egalitarian capitalism is a concept designed for global implementation, and it's centred on individual ownership which nurtures individual responsibility for our world. And, by removing economic stress, it will enable people to prioritise their care for the environment and look ahead to a safer and more stable world for our children and grandchildren. Background music: 'Everything Has a Beginning' by Joel Cummins

The young owners of over two-thirds of all Child Trust Funds reach adulthood at the end of March 2026, but very large numbers of HMRC-allocated accounts remain unknown and unclaimed, including almost three-quarters of the £1 billion belonging to low-income young adults: the position is particularly acute in the north of England and devolved nations. These are accounts for which HM Treasury/HMRC are the 'settlor', and therefore have a duty to deliver these young adults' birthrights. Background music: 'Waiting' by Andrew Langdon 

The Bank of England raised interest rates for the first time in three years from 3.75% to 4% last week.It was an 8-1 vote, with the outlier wanting to raise it to 4.25%. What does it mean for our money, can it really help tame inflation and will there be more rate rises in coming months? Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost discuss. With many homeowners coming off fixed mortgage deals, many are questioning whether a tracker might be the best home for now — is it a wise move? We answer a listener question. Donald Trump and the Republicans took a bruising in the mid-terms, and Wall Street took a beating on Thursday too with more than £2 trillion wiped off US technology stocks in a day — raising fears of a wider stock market crash. Investors are getting nervous about the vast sums being poured into AI, whether they'll ever see a decent return and that the election results could put the brakes on data centre development. Are you heading for a bleak retirement and is your stingy employer to blame? You might think earning a good salary means you'll have a decent pension — but not necessarily. Almost half of millennials say inheritance is crucial to achieving their financial goals. But new research suggests their parents might have other ideas. And with people living longer, rising care costs and pensions being brought into inheritance tax from April next year, there could be even less to pass on.

In the latest robot developments, Steve Caplin discusses robots that can mine and cut overgrown trees beside railways, as well as those which have established a world record for synchronised dancing. Astronauts will now be able to take eyedrops with them into space. Scientists in Singapore have developed a screen that can be woven into the sleeve of a sweater. Others have found a way to send smells via the internet. The new Virgin Galactic plane will take half a dozen passengers to the edge of space: there's a waiting list of 675 even though it costs $850,000. A bitcoin miner can heat your hot water tank at the same time as it mines. And an AirTag has been used to locate a thief stealing valuable stones from old walls.

James Cameron-Wilson is delighted by #1 ‘Wicker’, an independent movie starring Olivia Colman and Peter Dinklage. A medieval romantic fantasy with a strong flavour of Chaucer, it's about a woman who asks a basket weaver to make her a man. Earthy and very witty, it is a genuine original. He is less keen on ‘Prime Time’, a true story in which Robert Pattinson plays the host of a TV show whose aim is to entrap predators. With poor storytelling and characters, James found it a missed opportunity. But, as with its cinema release, he praises French film ‘Love Me Tender’, a powerful and nuanced drama about a woman who discovers herself after a separation but gets entwined in a bitter custody battle.

AI stocks took a hit this week, but does the sell-off signal a lasting shift in the market’s biggest trade? Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Emily Flippen discuss the future of AI spending, companies fighting disruption, and Tesla’s shifting EV strategy. They also challenge assumptions about Google Search, S&P 500 diversification, and Big Tech’s staying power before putting two beaten-down stocks on their radar. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Emily Flippen discuss: is AI Over?, non-AI opportunities, Tesla ends Cybertruck, are we sure?, Big Tech risks, and stocks on our radar. Companies discussed: Nvidia (NVDA), Duolingo (DUOL), Uber Technologies (UBER), Alphabet (GOOGL), Datadog (DDOG), Tesla (TSLA), Meta Platforms (META), Apple (AAPL), Rivian Automotive (RIVN), Volkswagen (VWAGY), Microsoft (MSFT), Axon Enterprise (AXON), Zebra Technologies (ZBRA). Host — Travis Hoium; Guests — Lou Whiteman, Emily Flippen.

A record number of CEOs have departed for two years running — and it's not because they lacked intelligence or experience. It's because the map they were using became outdated overnight. Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren talks with Cornelia Choe — international leadership expert, former Morgan Stanley private equity investor, and co-author of 'The Panoramic Leader' — about the hidden warning signs that a management team is operating on autopilot, the three questions she uses to immediately assess whether leadership is truly on top of what's happening, and why in a world where AI has commoditised knowledge, the executives who can see around corners will be the ones worth betting on. Host — Rachel Warren; Guest — Cornelia Choe.

With the next Making Tax Digital deadline tomorrow, new research reveals that half of us don’t know what the scheme involves – and more than half aren’t confident we’d even know if a change to the tax rules applied to us. With many more sole traders and landlords set to join the system next April, joining Rory McGowan to explain what it means and how to stay on top of it is Mark Purdue, the Lead Technology Product Manager at Wolters Kluwer.

It’s Talk Money Week — a time to get the nation talking about money — but new YouGov research suggests that lots of us are quietly paying for things we have forgotten about, and keeping other money matters to ourselves. Joining Rory McGowan to talk about the findings, and how to start those conversations, is Zoe Burns-Shore from the Money and Pensions Service.

Most of us would treat dry eyes, chapped lips, or dry skin without a second thought. New research from BioXtra has found that many Britons experience difficulties eating, speaking, or swallowing because of a dry mouth, and don’t seek professional advice. The survey also revealed that, while people are comfortable managing their eye health, not so many routinely check inside their mouth. So why is dry mouth still being overlooked, and what should people be looking out for? Joining Rory McGowan to discuss this is Oral Health Educator Emma Riley.

At a biological level, body fat is stored energy: much the same as that portable powerbank or those batteries which energise your mobile phone or tablet when there isn't an electricity socket available; so it may help to use this metaphor when reducing body fat. But while you may feel overfed, there's no sense in leaving yourself under-nourished: those important nutrients still matter. Adam Cox provides a refreshing alternative to taking weight reduction pills!

Last week was Small Business Advice Week, a chance to celebrate the thousands of local small businesses and SMEs who are the backbone of the UK economy. It’s a chance to tell the stories of those who have taken that leap and started their own business, and to talk about their journey and the work they do for their community. Rory McGowan is joined by Matthew Wilde from SWIG Finance, a company that supports small businesses across the South West.

In the 95 Years since the UK left the Gold Standard, we’ve seen the highs and lows of an economic system based on governmental trust. There are avenues out there for the 'Average Joe' to beat inflation and get more bang for his buck when saving, but over 2 in 5 Brits admit that they didn’t save a penny last year. So why isn’t the UK investing? Joining Rory McGowan is Laurence Chard, CEO of Chards, one of the oldest and most established family-run bullion and coin dealers in the UK.

Adam Cox joins Greg Bornstein on an episode of Greg's 'Open Loops' podcast series, with Adam discussing how his methodology for hypnotherapy has developed through learning psychology, styles of therapy and different uses of metaphors. It's a bit different from our normal episodes, as Adam Cox is the guest here. Please search for 'Open Loops with Greg Bornstein: Conversations That Bend' to find out more.

National Financial Awareness Day was celebrated last week — and new research from the Money and Pensions Service suggests that millions of people across the UK are still struggling to keep up with their bills. The findings come from MoneyView, MaPS’ flagship annual survey of the nation’s finances, which shows wide variation across different parts of the UK. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss the findings, and where people can turn for help, is Victoria Copeland from the Money and Pensions Service.

For the final Bigger Picture with Simon Rose, Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks back over the past twelve years of the programme. Into the good category, he places the advances in technology in areas like medicine, the digital world and the AI revolution. This will give a huge uplift to developing countries. As to the bad, that would include the polarisation of political life as the state hollows itself out from the inside. with taxes at an all-time high and services getting ever worse. Tim highlights the number of people under 40 abandoning the NHS, who believe they won't get a state pension for them and who see their future not in Britain but abroad. The ugly is the ever increasing indebtedness of the world's most advanced democracies and the rising authoritarianism which threatens the underpinning of our open society.

Professor Tim Evans says that to understand Donald Trump, you need to know that, in the late 80s and early 90s, he was a close friend of Richard Nixon, who told him that he used the persona of an irrational madman to unsettle others. Indeed, Nixon and his wife urged Trump to enter politics. In terms of policy, Trump is also a devotee of Reagan and William McKinley, an advocate of tariffs in America's interests. The Archbishop of Canterbury is one of the most important constitutional positions in Britain. In an increasingly secular age, the new Archbishop will have a challenging task ahead, but Tim feels that she is the right person for the job. The issue of Net Zero has come to the fore in the midst of an energy crisis like the 1970s. Tim ponders the politics of it, wondering if it could become as divisive as Brexit.

Pensions and inheritance are at the forefront of many people's minds ahead of the Budget. In her last Budget, Rachel Reeves announced she will pull pension pots into the inheritance tax net from April 2027. Meanwhile, there are concerns that pension tax-free lump sums and inheritance tax allowances could fall victim to another raid as the Chancellor tries to balance the books again. In this special episode of the This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert is joined by Lisa Caplan, director of Charles Stanley Direct Advice and Guidance. Lisa spends her days helping customers understand how to protect their wealth, make their pension last in retirement and, importantly, enjoy their hard-earned money. She discusses with Simon the questions people are asking right now about pensions and inheritance tax and her answers.

The world is facing a myriad of Gordian Knots at present — problems so intricate and complex that they need new and very different approaches to solve them. In Greek mythology, it was Alexander the Great who chopped the knot rather than struggling to untie it. If you're facing a raft of complex problems, this episode could help you find novel and creative ways to solve them. So, think of the most challenging things in your life and listen in for inspiration. Maybe Donald Trump should seek Adam Cox's guidance for resolving conflicts across the world, or the UN for dealing with climate change — or Governments across western democracies seeking an answer for intractable debt problems? Image: Wikipedia

For the 500th show, Steve Caplin takes a look back at some of the highlights of ten years of Gadgets & Gizmos. He covers sprayable sleep, cows imitating zebras to ward off mosquitoes, crows collecting cigarette butts, NFTs, self-parking slippers, KFC chicken-tasting nail polish, the first human head transplant, the Skunklock noxious bike lock, Refrigerdating, the robot dog flamethrower, ant populated gin and how to make pain relief pills 10 times more effective.

James Cameron-Wilson reports on box office -13% but still up on 2024, with ‘Wicked’ becoming last year's most successful film with £59.6m. The musical biopic of Bob Dylan, ‘A Complete Unknown’, with Timothy Chalomet and Edward Norton is the new #1. The tedious and unbelievable ‘Wolf Man’ limps in at #7. James found Netflix's spy thriller ‘Back in Action’, the return from retirement of Cameron Diaz, all very silly and over the top, despite some good stunts. The Oscar nominations were coming out during recording, so James gives his first thoughts on who's in and who's out.

Warren Buffett sends us into the season to be thankful with his philanthropic acts and his poignant words, and gives us all a place to start the conversation with family about money. Asit Sharma and Dylan Lewis discuss NBC’s negotiations to extend their rights to broadcast rights to the Macy’s Day Parade, and why holiday live events are turning into an arms race, the expectations for Black Friday through Cyber Monday, and two predictions on the direction of consumer spend and who will be driving it in future years, and Warren Buffett’s plans for passing his wealth on to his family and philanthropic efforts, and the words of wisdom we should all have in mind as we get together with loved ones this week. Companies discussed: CMCSA, M, NFLX, AMZN, BRK.A, BRK.B. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Asit Sharma

The debate on 19th March 2024 was hosted by Sir Jeremy Quin MP to call for the need to simplify family access to Child Trust Funds for disabled young people, and a number of MPs contributed to the debate, including Danny Kruger and Ed Davy. The audio record is provided by Parliament Live, and is an unabridged recording of proceedings, without additional comment. Listeners may notice an adjournment for voting in the House of Commons.

Welcome to a special episode of The Financial Outlook: the investment section of the Managing My Money course. What's the difference between saving and investment? It's all in the risk. We talk about shares, bonds and funds, and which perform best over the long term. The Managing My Money course has 16 sections in total, and is presented by Glen Goodman and Annie Weston. You can enjoy the whole course, produced in association with the Open University via Share Radio's home page. Here's the link to the slides for this episode: https://www.shareradio.co.uk/help-guides/managing-my-money/supporting-slides/mmm-week-5-episode-10-supporting-slides/

It’s the last episode of Answers (but don’t worry, we’re just moving to Motley Fool Money every Tuesday). We’ll reminisce on our biggest lessons learned over the last seven years and answer your questions, some financial, some festive.

Scrooge has made the deal of his life with Chinese investors and must now quickly return to London on Christmas Eve to close the deal. On the flight back, during a fitful sleep, Scrooge confronts his past and present and learns the future consequences of his miserly life to find the true meaning of Christmas. Proscenium Online Theatre is super excited to be bringing you a whole new season of audio dramas in 2022. Starting off with 'The Girl in the Yellow Dress', a dark romance by South African playwright Craig Higginson, and 'Plunder', an original Hong Kong based thriller by American playwright Alan Olejniczak. In the meantime - sit back, close your eyes and enjoy the Proscenium Online Theatre’s production of 'A Christmas Carol'.

https://www.prosceniumonlinetheatre.com

Imagine a world in which everyone has a stake in the great tech firms that serve them each day, and where dividends are gradually replacing wages to provide regular income for everyone, as work becomes scarcer as a result of automation? Imagine a world where every young person not only has a small inheritance with which to start their adult life, but also the opportunity to build its value by learning life skills? Simon Rose is taking a well-earned break this week, so we’re taking the opportunity to bring you a talk given Gavin Oldham in August to the leading City of London think-tank Z/Yen.

Click link for slides for presentation

Every child in the UK born between 1 Sept 2002 and 2 Jan 2011 has a Child Trust Fund (CTF). But one child in six has lost contact with the money. Gavin Oldham, Chairman of The Share Foundation – which runs the Junior ISA & Child Trust Fund schemes for children in care for the Department for Education - is trying to re-connect them. He talks through the CTF, how to track an account down, and what a child can and can’t do with the money.

In a new partnership with publishers Harriman House, Share Radio has produced its first audiobook 'Superinvestors', written by Matthew Partridge and read by some of Share Radio's best known presenters. 'Superinvestors' lays bare the investing secrets of legendary investors - from early 20th-century figures such as Benjamin Graham and John Maynard Keynes, through to more modern names such as Anthony Bolton and Warren Buffett.

How you can help young people in care prepare for adult life by supporting The Share Foundation’s ‘Stepladder of Achievement’ programme.

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