Podcasts

Another chapter has unfolded in Greece's slowmotion debt crisis. Earlier this week, European finance ministers and Athens agreed to negotiate economic reforms in exchange for further bailout payments. With a sovereign-debt showdown staved off, bond holders rejoiced, and yields dived on the agreement. By now, this story should be a familiar one. Ever since the financial crisis plunged Greece into turmoil, bailout brinkmanship has been a fixture in the Eurozone's calendar. But, this time, some feel the winds of change may be about to blow through Athens. If the left-wing-led government is truly willing to bend the knee to EU & IMF reforms, the austerity borne by Greece as a price for debt relief could be wound down. In turn, Greece may be freed from its low-growth malaise. What next for Greece? On today's a View From, Simon hears from Desmond Lachman, Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and previously deputy director at the IMF's Policy Development and Review Department, and Vicky Pryce, economist and author of 'Greekonomics'.

It's time to talk politics - Simon is first joined by Mike Indian, Senior Political Analyst at political intelligence firm De Havilland, to discuss the biggest headlines of the day, including PMQs, Sir Ivan Roger's visit to the Brexit Committee, and more. Then, Simon is joined by Paul Flynn, the Labour MP who opened the debate against Trump's state visit, to see if he and his fellow MPs will have done enough to convince Theresa May to un-invite the US President.

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 Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, the online stockbrokers. On today's show: Lloyds Banking Group reports highest annual profit in a decade, up 158% to 4.2bn, the UK economy picks up by more than anticipated in the final three months of 2016, shares in Serco end down over 15%, due to the uncertain political climate, and more.

Could an eco-friendly loan from the US have global implications? In "The Problem With PACE", a special report on Share Radio, Matt Cox investigates so-called PACE loans. He speaks to those who've had first-hand experience of the loans; finding out where the product came from, how it hurt homeowners in California and other states, and why some believe that it could trigger a new subprime-style lending crisis.

Sales of organic food are at their highest level for a decade. Last year saw sales grow by 7%, marking the fifth year of continuous growth. Share Radio reporter Sara Macham spoke to Clare McDermott, business development director at the Soil Association.

Georgie was joined in studio by Leonard Sekyonda, founder of My Come Up, a new global networking site aimed at connected and advising young creative talents and entrepreneurs.

The Euro is at its lowest against a selection of currencies since last November - is this just down to increasing support for Marine Le Pen's French Presidency bid? And could we see more falls in the Euro? Jane Foley, senior currency strategist at Rabobank, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher for more.

The chancellor's insisting he's 'listening' to concerns rising business rates could push firms out of business. The communities secretary Sajid Javid has been accused of misleading fellow Tory MPs. More than one in four companies faces bigger bills as a result of planned changes from April. But critics say the revaluation unfairly hits high street businesses. Alan Soady from the Federation of Small Businesses told Share Radio's James Brydges that the rate change was one more challenge that businesses were having to face.

The team with over a quarter of a century of financial journalism under their belt joins us in the studio for their fortnightly catch up. This week I'm joined by editor Moira O'Neill and deputy editor Helen Knapman. They'll be talking us through their checklist for a stress free and financially secure divorce - is such a thing possible! - as well as how to save on a trip to the cinema. We'll also be bringing you the latest poll results among their readers, advice from the Investment Doctor and scams the team have come across this week.

Could an eco-friendly loan from California have global implications? In the second part of Share Radio's Special Report into so-called PACE loans, Matt Cox investigates why some of those familiar with the product believe it's set to trigger a new subprime lending crisis.