Podcasts presented by Ed Bowsher

While economists predicted 1.4 percent growth, UK inflation actually rose by 1.6 percent in the year to December - that's the fastest jump since the summer of 2014. So, what's behind this acceleration from November's 1.2 percent figure? Scott Bowman, UK Economist at Capital Economics, talks through the factors and when its likely to hit the Bank of England's 2 percent target.

As the European Parliament votes on a new president, with former Silvio Berlusconi spokesperson Antonio Tajani the likely winner, how will the politics in Brussles impact on Brexit negotiations? Dr Simon Usherwood, senior fellow at research group UK in a Changing Europe, spoke with Ed Bowsher, Share Radio's senior analyst about the election and the parliament's role in Brexit.

Will Theresa May's Brexit plans deliver for the UK? We get The Independent's chief political commentator John Rentoul's verdict on the crucial speech.

Rolls-Royce settles bribery allegations, can Greggs keep whipping up its tasty growth rates and what is Apple doing to its UK app store - all the company news with Dan Thomas, deputy companies editor at the FT and Share Radio's Ed Bowsher.

Theresa May’s finally made it official – the UK won’t seek access to the single market as part of Brexit negotiations. But can her government still get a good deal for UK business? And as UK inflation jumps from 1.2% to 1.6%, will it be business or consumers who get the better end of the deal? Simon French, chief economist at Panmure Gordon, joined Share Radio’s Ed Bowsher to talk through this and more.

In this week's edition of Crowdfunders: we get the outlook for peer-to-peer lending in 2017 with Neil Faulkner of 4thWay. Plus the latest developments at FundingCircle, one of the 'big 3' peer-to-peer platforms in the UK and a £10 million pound mini-bond fundraising by Brewdog, the big craft brewery.

A letter from asset managers BlackRock to all FTSE 350 chairmen has outlined exactly how they want companies to tackle the thorny issue of executive pay. Amra Balic of BlackRock, urged chairmen to make sure top directors' pay only increases in line with the rest of the workforce, while emphasising that pay rises should be linked to performance. David Pitt-Watson is Executive Fellow of Finance at the London Business School, with a focus on responsible investment and business practice. He joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher to discuss the issue.

Market jitters ahead of Theresa May's Brexit speech while president-elect Donald Trump wants a quick deal post-Brexit - but can it happen? Share Radio's Ed Bowsher gets the latest analysis from John Barrass, Deputy Chief Executive at the Wealth Management Association.

Another bad start to the week for sterling, crashing below $1.20, its lowest since last October's 'flash crash'. Ken Odeluga of City Index joins Share Radio's Ed Bowsher to talk through this and more including; FTSE on track for a fifteenth record close, Ashmore reduces earnings but shares are up and H&M reports growth but not enough for investors.

The number of first-time home buyers in the UK surged to its highest level since the start of the financial crisis in 2016, despite the average cost of a first home surpassing the £200,000 mark for the first time ever. A report published by Halifax shows that 7.3% more buyers entered the market last year. Share Radio's Ed Bowsher spoke to Charlie Campbell, Investment Analyst at Liberum Capital, for more on this.