Podcasts related to Economics

Mears Group, the UK housing and social care provider which delivers repairs and maintenance services directly into communities and people's homes, has released preliminary results today. The company has reported 9% gains but how is the industry doing? Many are saying it is on the 'brink of collapse' what with is being hit with cuts to local authority budgets, the fees they pay, rises in the minimum wage, a shortage of trained nurses and tougher immigration rules. Alongside this, the elderly are living for longer than ever before. So has Mears Group felt the strain amongst this vulnerable sector? Joining Nigel Cassidy to discuss further is David Miles, CEO of Mears Group.

Executive pay remains in the headlines, with German banking giant Deutsche Bank cutting bonuses by more than 75% last year, while four bosses at Melrose Industries were set to split a £200 million share payout. Oliver Parry, Head of Corporate Governance Policy for the Institute of Directors, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher to discuss.

Marks and Spencer has followed several other high-profile brands, including Tesco and HSBC, pulling its advertising from Google. It follows concerns about placement of ads next to inappropriate content on YouTube. But is this a serious threat to companies like Google? Ian Whittaker, media analyst at Liberum, spoke to Share Radio's Ed Bowsher.

The UK must up its research and development spend to 3% by 2025 in a bid to Brexit-proof the economy, according to business lobby group CBI. Tom Thackray, Innovation Director at the CBI, joined Share Radio's senior analyst Ed Bowsher to explain.

Fake HSBC emails are being sent out to users to install a malicious version of Rapport, a legitimate security program designed to protect online bank accounts from fraud. The emails appear to come from HSBC and display an @hsbc.com email address. The fake Rapport software, if installed, does the opposite of what is claimed and steals information from the compromised computer. Worryingly, the spam run may be part of a larger campaign. To find out how to combat this, Tony Neate, the CEO of the organisation Get Safe Online, joined Sarah to discuss.

As the Prime Minister confirmed Article 50 would be triggered on March 29, how have markets responded? For analysis of this key move, Jane Foley, head of FX Strategy at Rabobank, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher.

Sarah Pennells was joined by independent personal finance expert Simon Read this morning. Today on the agenda, they discussed how an average stay in a residential care home could swallow up as much as half of the value of your house. Plus they look into the news that Uber's president Jeff Jones has quit after seven months. All these stories and more on The News Review.

To go through all the political headlines this morning with Sarah Pennells was Share Radio's Political Correspondent, Colin Bloom. They started by discussing the Prime Minister insisting she wants every part of the UK to benefit from leaving the European Union. Theresa May will go to Wales later to meet first minister Carwyn Jones. Last week the PM dismissed calls for a second independence referendum for Scotland before the Brexit deal's finalised. Plus a police team has been set up to investigate crimes against MPs looked into more than 50 complaints in the six months after the murder of Jo Cox.

Joining Sarah Pennells to discuss the latest market headlines was Share Radio's very own Nigel Cassidy, starting with the tumultuous period that Uber has been going through. In an otherwise quiet morning for company announcements, we've heard from Vodafone - they're planning a merger in India. Plus Carillion, the British multinational facilities management and construction services company have been awarded a £90 million contract by UK defence.

Since the 2014 vote, there have been sweeping changes in both the North Sea industry and to the UK's political landscape, the two most critical being the oil price plunge and last year's Brexit vote. Companies operating in the UKCS have faced a turbulent few years as they sought to survive the downturn by cutting costs to ensure cash flow. The offshore industry has been a cornerstone of the UK economy, and will play a vital role in a second referendum campaign. Nigel Cassidy was joined by Fiona Legate, senior analyst at Wood Mackenzie to discuss how, despite the oil price crash, (pre-tax) £44 billion is still attributed to fields in Scottish waters.