Podcasts

Despite some signs of a slowdown, UK house prices have hit their most unaffordable levels ever, according to the Office for National Statistics. But is this a good sign for the economy? Plus the gig economy, should the government step in? For this and more economic news, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher spoke to Michael Bell, Global Market Strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

Nicola Sturgeon's plan for a second Scottish independence referendum for 2018 was rejected by Theresa May who said "now is not the time". To find out whether the Scottish will vote for independence, Share Radio's Alexi Phillips spoke with Professor John Curtice from the University of Strathclyde.

GCHQ has strongly dismissed claims from the Trump administration that President Obama used British spies to "wiretap" Donald Trump during the last election. Scott Lucas, Professor of American studies at the University of Birmingham and Founder of the EA Worldview blog joined us to discuss.

Former Chancellor George Osborne has just been appointed as the new Editor of the Evening Standard. Osborne is expected to take up his role in May while still remaining the MP for Tatton. Plus, Nicola Sturgeon said May's rejection of a second Scottish referendum is 'completely outrageous and unacceptable'. Asa Bennett, Assistant Comment Editor at the Telegraph, joined us to discuss the latest political news.

George Osborne has been appointed as Editor of the London Evening Standard - and says he plans to retain his seat in Tatton. But will he be able to do the job with little journalistic experience? Ian Murray, ex-president of the Society of Editors and former Editor in Chief of the Southern Daily Echo, gave us his take.

Joining Georgie Frost to discuss the latest market headlines was Share Radio's very own Nigel Cassidy, starting with the possible takeover of Panmure Gordon, one of the City's oldest stockbrokers, by former Barclays boss Bob Diamond. Plus, how housebuilder the Berkeley Group hit its profit target despite Brexit fears.

Culture secretary Karen Bradley's referred the Fox/ Sky bid to Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority. 21st Century Fox is offering £11.7bn for the 61% stake in Sky it does not already own. The company said it was "confident" the takeover would be approved. Critics of the merger fear it will mean Rupert Murdoch has too much control of the UK media. So can the takeover succeed after failing in 2011? James Brydges recaps the issues the regulators will be looking into.

The German Chancellor Angela Merkel is meeting US President Donald Trump for the first time. So, can they establish a solid working relationship? Last year, Trump accused Merkel of 'going off the reservation' during the refugee crisis and characterised her policies as a 'total disgrace'. However, this could be water under the bridge as it will be strictly business for Merkel who is expected to raise issues including the Nato contributions, the fight against ISIS, and trade. Graham Lanktree, Foreign Reporter with the International Business Times, joined Share Radio Breakfast to look ahead to the meeting.

Research released by the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) suggests that long-term business investment is set to shrink on the back of Brexit uncertainty. The long wait to see Theresa May trigger Article 50 and start Brexit negotiations has created much uncertainty among businesses, meaning they've put on the brakes when it comes to investment. Simon Thompson, ICAEW Business and Economic Spokesperson, joined Nigel Cassidy on Share Radio Breakfast to discuss the key points from the forecast.

It’s been a mixed week for the job market. The surveyor’s organisation, RICS, bemoaned the potential loss of 200,000 essential EU workers in the construction industry if Brexit bites. And on Thursday, Morgan Mckinley's London employment monitor picked up a fall in the number of jobs on offer, blaming Brexit uncertainty. To assess the mood of the market, Becky Barr of Adzuna, joined Nigel Cassidy on Share Radio Breakfast.