Podcasts

Starting with the French elections this morning. Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron have clashed in a TV debate ahead of Sunday's vote. Moving away from the elections, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier says it was wrong to suggest Brexit would be a fast and painless process with no impact on people’s lives. He's highlighted the rights of EU citizens, the final divorce settlement, and the Irish border question as the key issues that must be addressed.

Joining Sue Dougan to go through the latest market headlines was Nigel Cassidy and it's been a busy morning of company announcements. We've heard from a number of major companies. Starting with Morrisons and Next.

London mayor Sadiq Khan has formally opened the hunt for London's first ever chief digital officer, in line with a commitment in his manifesto. Khan says the position will have a responsibility for overseeing growth in the sector and increasing "digital inclusion" across the capital. Figures from Oxford Economics show that London is home to more than 40,000 digital tech firms, which collectively employ roughly 250,000 people.

The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier says it was wrong to suggest Brexit would be a fast and painless process with no impact on people’s lives. He's highlighted the rights of EU citizens, the final divorce settlement, and the Irish border question as the key issues that must be addressed. Barnier’s mandate will be submitted to EU ministers for approval later this month.

Its a landmark date for film fans. Do you know your Wookies from your Womp rats? James Brydges reports.

Now you might say that for a FTSE 100 company to lose two chiefs since 2012 would be unfortunate. To lose THREE would be careless, but that could yet be the case for Barclays. The chief in question is Jes Staley, whose mission to restore the fortunes of the UK's second largest bank has been clouded by not one but TWO seeming misjudgements.

View from Middlesex University with Professor Tim Evans looking at: 1. This Thursday's local elections & general election so far 2. Why the EU is in a weak negotiating position 3. The rise of paramilitary violence and extreme poverty in Venezuela:

It's time to talk politics. Today: FT says Brexit bill could be as much as 100 billion euros. May resurrects the 'bloody difficult woman' moniker, which was first used by Ken Clarke last year. Will that approach help her to get a good deal in the end? John McDonnell attacks BBC for broadcasting Tory 'lies' & more!

On today's wrap: Shares in Sainbury's end down 5.5% after the supermarket chain announces an 8% fall in profits last year amid what it's calling a "challenging" food market. The boss of ITV is stepping down after seven years. Adam Crozier - who previously ran Royal Mail and the Football Association - will leave at the end of June. And activity in the UK's construction sector was stronger than expected in April. Ed is joined by Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

Georgie and the Moneywise team look at the rise of green energy and ask whether going eco-friendly could save you money as well as the planet. Plus: why shopping around might not always pay off when it comes to taking out a loan.