Podcasts

Today, leaders in the Northern Powerhouse debate will be gathering at the UK Northern Powerhouse International Conference. So what are the issues on the agenda? And what does the Northern Powerhouse mean for UK business and what can the Government do to help businesses embrace the opportunities? Jeremy Cook, Chief Economist at World First, joined Nigel Cassidy to discuss. And Jeremy started by explaining exactly what the term Northern Powerhouse means.

It's time to talk politics. The House of Lords has begun debating the Article 50 bill - legislation that, if passed, would empower Theresa May to trigger the UK's departure from the EU. Meanwhile, the Government has locked horns with its backbenchers over growing fears they may revolt on a re-evaluation of business rates. Adjustment occurs every 5 years or so to reflect changes in the property market, but, with the prospect of rate rises in Tory heartlands, not all Conservative MPs are onboard. Senior ministers have penned a letter to stave off the rebels-in-waiting, insisting bills will not rise for most firms. Will the Lords block Brexit? Is the Government about to blow small business out of the water? Simon was joined in the studio by Jerry Hayes, former Conservative MP and now barrister and political commentator, Bob Neil MP, former Communities and Local Government Minister, and Dr Nicholas Wright, Teaching Fellow in EU Politics at University College London.

Technology is changing almost every aspect of daily life and business and finance is no exception. Share Radio's Simon Rose and Steve Caplin, Share Radio's technology editor, look at the big technological changes that impact on the world of business, finance and money as well as some of the gadgets that help make everyday life a bit easier. On today's programme, they look at the world's first robot lawyer, which can get you out of parking tickets, tickerclever.com which automatically finds best train fares, Amazon to build Alexa into cars & much more!

Share Radio's Simon Rose brings you Market Wrap, a roundup of what's been happening in the businesses of Britain and the world. To help put the day's events in context, Simon was joined by Share Radio's Senior Analyst Ed Bowsher. On today's show: Greece's creditors have confirm they will produce a new bailout package in order to ensure the country keeps up with its debts repayments, Kraft Heinz drops its offer to buy Unilever, shares in the Royal Bank of Scotland end the day almost 7% higher and more.

Want to keep up with the latest earnings updates from the States? We join Chris Hill and the Motley Fool Radio Show team here on Share Radio - direct from Washington DC - each Monday at 6 o'clock for news, views and analysis of US finance. On today's episode: Kraft Heinz proposed merger with Unilever, the latest filings from Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway and more.

Greece's debt burden is back on the agenda as European finance ministers met today at Eurogroup meeting. The ministers are at loggerheads with the International Monetary Fund over the Greek bailout terms. To preview the meeting, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher spoke with Pieter Cleppe, Head of Open Europe's Brussels Office.

Kraft Heinz's takeover bid for consumer giant Unilever lasted just a few days - but the full value of the post-merger proposal jump is yet to be wiped off Unilever's share price. So what does this mean for future takeovers? And has the swift reversal hurt Kraft Heinz? Share Radio's Ed Bowsher spoke to Thomas Buckley, reporter at Bloomberg, for what's next for both companies.

Opposition parties rarely lose by-elections - so speculation that Labour could lose in the upcoming contests for Stoke-on-Trent Central or Copeland is unusual. For more on how the battle is unfolding, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher spoke with John Curtice, politics professor at the University of Strathclyde and research consultant to NatCen Social Research.

In less than two weeks, on March 1st, the rules on child car seats change. You won't be able to buy a backless booster seat unless your child is at least 125cm tall or weighs at least 22 kg (around three and a half stone). Buying a car seat for your child - and buying things like a buggy or pushchair - can also be something of a minefield. Sarah Pennells was joined in the studio by freelance personal finance journalist Donna Ferguson, Anne-Marie O'Leary, Editor-in-Chief of Netmums and Kevin Clinton, Head of Road Safety at ROSPA.

The UK's economy is gaining momentum despite concerns of uncertainty ahead of Brexit - that's according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's latest indicator. JP Morgan global market analyst Alex Dryden ran through this and the day's other big economic news with Share Radio's senior analyst Ed Bowsher.