The pros of the property market right now, and how to save energy this winter. If you can keep your head, while other home buyers lose theirs…you could get yourself a better deal! Plus, the team bust some energy-saving myths, looking at whether carbon credit offsetting is a big old waste of money – or a good way to save the planet. And ‘tis the season to book your festive break, but what are the top best-value destinations for your Christmas holiday?
Adam talks to Rob Lindley, the Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors about new research that reveals that since only 1% of new cars are fully electric it’s looking unlikely that the government will meet it’s target for zero emissions on the roads by 2050. They discuss how technology such as PHEV (plug-in hybrid vehicles) enable motorists to drive half their miles in fully electric mode while giving them the reassurance that they wont be stranded. Rob highlights that currently the government is giving mixed messages when it comes to PHEVs and that more needs to be done. While incentives encourage some deterrents like Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) can also encourage drivers to seek greener vehicles.
Georgie Frost is joined by editor Simon Lambert and assistant editor Lee Boyce to talk about going green, giving you some useful tips and tricks that are good for the planet as well as your wallet. Also they'll be looking at why the hybrid car of choice, the Toyota Prius, isn’t just for Uber drivers and eco-conscious celebs. Plus…the team look at where the 40 something year old business owner with no pension should invest; continue to puzzle over the baffling state pension top-up system and ask just how far over the limit CAN you drive in your area before being issued with a ticket?
Adam talks to Lauren Vasquez, an engineer for British Gas about research that suggests that first time buyers don’t investigate the energy efficiency of their first home purchase. This is surprising since many first time buyers are financially stretched with the cost of the deposit and the monthly mortgage and initial home buying costs. The unknown energy costs of the property could cause additional stress on an already stressful financial decision. Lauren offers some tips on how to make sense of an Energy Performance Certificate and how to make homes more energy efficient.
Welcome to 1984 – the hidden twist in the smart meter saga that could see suppliers take control of your account. Plus, victory for the fans as Ticketmaster takes a significant step to combat 'professional' touts. Also…Can you get on the property ladder with £10 thousand, and how to avoid being a CV cliché!
Almost everyone is in favor of advancements in green energy. But we’re still a long way off from cleaner sources being able to take over from more traditional forms of energy, like fossil fuels. If we were to make the switch now, it would inevitably mean moving from a high-energy society to a low-energy society. But what would this mean in practice?
Today we’re speaking with the IEA’s Head of Education, Dr Steve Davies. Steve paints a picture of radical changes that would have to be made in order to adapt to a low-energy society. Two major changes include a return to agriculture focus in local areas, with over 30 per cent of the population needing to return to the farms to make sure communities could be fed. Furthermore, it would almost certainly mean the return of traditional gender roles, as it was the many advancements in energy in particular, that enabled women to liberate themselves out of the home and into the workforce. And while many people who advocate for a low-energy society seem to think that the things they like will continue, while the things they loathe will be scrapped, Steve argues that many conveniences, and indeed miracles, of modern society – like international plane travel and use of the internet – would be wiped out almost completely, with only the world’s elite having access to such luxuries.
Georgie Frost is joined by financial heavy weights Lindsay Cook and Andy Webb. This week they take on the malfunctioning smart meters charging people as much as seven times their normal bill. Plus why insurance companies are getting the sucker punch this week and is it really a good idea to pay off your student debt?
Welcome to the This is Money Show on Share Radio. The UK parties are now getting into full election mode and already we’ve seen a range of policy suggestions, debates and u-turns appearing. From energy price caps to scrapping death duty hikes we’ll but looking at what all these could mean for the finances of voters. Also weighing in on the French election and GDP Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Personal Finance Editor Rachel Rickard Straus. Plus it’s your final week to spend the old paper five pound note.
Welcome to the This is Money Show on Share Radio, brought to you in partnership with NS&I. After repeatedly ruling out a general election this week Theresa May made the shock announcement Britain would be heading to the polls, again. The election is set to be dominated by Brexit but there is certainly more at stake. To explain what the vote could mean for the pound in your pocket and what you should be looking for from your future MP Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce. Plus it's not just politicians we're being encouraged to switch as we look at the benefits of shopping around for a better broadband and energy deal.
Three of Britain's biggest consumer groups Money Saving Expert, Which? and Citizens Advice wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister after she was was accused of "forgetting" about consumers in her Brexit negotiations. They want her to set up a cross-Government high-level working group focused solely on securing the best deal for customers.
So what will the triggering of Article 50 mean for us? And how will our exit from the EU impact the pound in our pockets? To find out more Georgie Frost was joined by Jasmine Birtles - financial and business commentator from Money Magpie .