Podcasts presented by Sue Dougan related to Economics

Personal finance writer Sam McFaul talks us through the suffering of students - as graduates are overpaying their loan. We find out how they can claims it back or even prevent it from happening in the first place. Plus, if you have a Nectar Card, you are in luck as their are some pretty sweet deals out their. And as ever we'll have a roundup of the latest and best deals the team have come across this week.

The state pension triple-lock should be scrapped, according to some MPs. The 'triple lock' guaranteeing the elderly an annual state pension increase of at least 2.5 per cent is under threat. The annual rises in the state pension are decided by whatever is the highest of price inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5 per cent. But now MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee say it’s too expensive. For more information, Sue Dougan spoke to former pension minister and Director of Policy at Royal London, Steve Webb

Now, how do you show you care? Cook someone their favourite meal? Make them a cup of tea? or perhaps a demonstration of affection like a spontaneous hug? However, new research published today reveals it is women who are more likely to be genuine - 37% - but its half of men who are scoring brownie points with heir partner, friends or relatives. Life coach Carole Ann Rice and Dietician Dr Sarah Schenker join Sue Dougan on the line.

How many bank accounts now beat inflation? On Tuesday, we heard UK inflation registered a surprise fall in October, - 0.9%, from 1% in September according to the Office for National Statistics, although there were signs that the pressure on consumer prices is starting to build. And rate reductions in the savings market have now outweighed rate rises for 13 consecutive months. To find out what is wrong with the latest figures, Sue Dougan was joined on the line by Charlotte Nelson from Moneyfacts.

All this week is 'Financial Capability week' we are looking at how to make the most of your money. Yesterday we focused on young people. But now, new research from Pay-m, the UK's mobile to mobile payment service, has found that sharing a sort code and account number is a scary prospect for three out of four of us, with almost three quarters saying it makes us feel anxious. Well, to find out more about this aspect, our reporter Melanie Wray spoke to Pay-M's spokesman Shane Mckenna.

Sue Dougan is joined in the studio by Share Radio's senior analyst Ed Bowsher. On the agenda today, they discuss the big story - that UK unemployment fell by 37,000 to 1.6 million in the three months to September. Eslewhere, the NHS has been criticised for a lack of spending on cyber-security putting sensitive medical data at risk. Plus more than half of UK firms are worried about a lack of nationwide productivity. All these stories and more on The News Review.

How messy is your desk? If it is covered it clutter, then it could be standing in the way of a promotion. A study has found almost a third of people admit to having a packed workspace. Almost one in ten bosses say they'd think twice before promoting an employee who had an untidy desk. For more on this, Sue Dougan was joined on the line by Phil Jones from office supplier Brother UK.

Household debt in the UK has soared to a record high. We now owe an average of £30 thousand pounds each in household debt, according to figures from the Money Charity. This is mainly from mortgages and credit debt. To find out more information, Sue Dougan is joined on the line by Money Charity's policy and communication officer Frank Hobson.

As Christmas is creeping up on us quickly now, it can take a toll on your finances. As much as we love the mince pies and bottomless glasses of Bailey's it can be a very stressful time - not least because when you add it all up, it's a super expensive time of year. It doesn't always have to be though as Nick Hill explains.

Sue Dougan is joined in the studio by Hannah Maundrell editor in chief of money.co.uk. On the agenda today, as we head towards the winter, we are being warned to brace themselves for a rise in their energy bills. Elsewhere, Visa says consumer spending increased by 2.5% in October compared to the same month last year. Plus, Amazon is in the news again after being ordered to pay back the parents of children who made in-app purchases on mobile devices. All these stories and more on The News Review.