Share Sounds related to Politics - UK

An overhauled state pension, being paid to new rather than existing pensioners, has begun. Meanwhile it's been a year since pension freedoms came into force. Matt Cox spoke to former pensions minister Steve Webb, Director of Policy at pension provider Royal London, about how the pension freedom act has affected the UK, pensioners and providers one year on.

There are concerns that companies could get workers to pay for the wage increase out of their own pockets, either by offering less hours or by reducing bonuses and perks that do not come out of direct wages. Charles Cotton, from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, looks at the National Living Wage from a staff perspective.

The latest "poll of polls" for the EU Referendum shows the Remain side's lead is narrowing. The poll by NatCen Social Research shows just 51% of voters want Britain to stay in the EU. But another recent poll by the ORB shows that if only those likely to vote are counted, it is actually the Leave side who are ahead. Earlier Share Radio's Robert Van Egghen spoke to Fraser Nelson, Editor of The Spectator magazine. They began by discussing whether with the more committed supporters the Leave campaign could win the referendum.

Dan Hodges, Political Commentator at the Mail on Sunday, joins Nigel Cassidy and Chris Bailey to discuss the latest in the world of politics. Dan looks ahead to Prime Minister’s Questions, which will inevitably be centred on the events in Brussels. Also discussed is the UK-EU referendum, the budget and the ongoing battle for the US presidency.

Sarah Pennells is joined in the studio by Graeme McColgan of Million Plus Financial Planning, and Robin Williamson, the Technical Director of the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group, and over the phone by Mike Hodges of Saffery Champness, to discusses the end of year tax. Sarah and her guests discuss new tax announcements from The Budget, whether there are any tax advantages for married couples and what to do if you've missed your deadline for your income tax.

Sarah Pennells discusses the 2016 budget announced by George Osborne earlier this week with guests Jane Moore, from ICAEW, Richard Blanco, a spokesperson of the National Landlord Association and Independent Landlord, Caroline Le Jeune, of London tax accountants Blick Rothenberg and Clair Walsh, an Independent Financial Adviser at Aspect8. Together they go over the recent announcements in this week's budget, looking at the main announcements, and how they could they could affect long-term investments.

After Budget week, the award winning team looks at the George Osborne's budget in more detail and the new taxes that have been announced. Sugar tax, £1000 interest-free tax and the Northern Powerhouse are just a few topics the team will be discussing...

There’s been no change in the cost of borrowing in the UK. Yet when the Monetary Policy Committee meets to decide on interest rates, we tend to see that the decision's based upon London. So should the bank be charged with paying more attention to industry and commerce outside the capital? One body of business people scrutinising the MPC every month are the North East Shadow Monetary Policy Committee, and Christopher White, Chair of the NE Shadow MPC and Finance Director at Darlington Building Society, joined Share Radio to discuss.

George Osbourne stated in his budget speech on Wednesday, that Britain is "Open for business". Matt Cox spoke to Justin Urquhart Stewart, Co-Founder of Seven Investment Management, about the announcement and what it means for UK businesses.

George Osborne has delivered his eighth Budget. Listen to the Chancellor's speech in full.