Podcasts

Have the good times gone for good? Economists are increasingly concerned about the so-called productivity puzzle - the mysterious drop-off in output per head witnessed across the globe. Casting an eye back to rates immediately after World War Two, it's hard not to be envious: economies boomed in the postwar reconstruction, pulling living standards in their wake. Now, growth is anaemic, wages stagnant, and the resulting discontent is using populism as an outlet. So, what went wrong? And can we turn things around? Share Radio's Juliette Foster was joined in the studio by Marc Levinson, former finance and economics editor at The Economist, to talk about his book 'An Extraordinary Time'.

It's been almost three weeks since the death of the Cuban leader Fidel Castro, and with official mourning now at an end it's business as usual for the government. Cuban officials have signed a deal with the technology giant Google to install servers on the island, while an agreement covering trade, human rights and migration has been brokered with the EU. These are further steps aimed at bringing the Caribbean nation back in from the diplomatic cold after Castro's 1959 Socialist revolution sealed Cuba's position as a pariah state. Can the revolution survive without him, and what do Cubans themselves want? Joining Share Radio's Juliette Foster and our economics correspondent Professor John Weeks is Professor Elizabeth Dore of Southampton University.

November's UK inflation rate hit a two-year high as clothing and petrol prices helped push the cost of living to 1.2%. Recent currency market fluctuations didn't help, and economists are warning to expect more of the same over the coming months. Elsewhere, Christmas may be twelve days away but that hasn't stopped Chancellor Philip Hammond from revealing what tops his festive wish list. Apart from having a dynamic economy he also wants Britain to get a transitional Brexit deal, giving it more time to negotiate its way out of Europe. For more analysis of these business stories and more, Share Radio's Juliette Foster was joined by Jane Foley, head of FX Strategy at Rabobank.

Christian Wolmar is a writer and broadcaster specialising in transport and is the author of a series of books on railway history. He joined Georgie on the phone to talk about our rail services and rail networks around the world that outdo British networks.

Now we all remember the case of Jeremy Clarkson being sacked from Top Gear, as a result of punching his producer over a lack of a hot meal. But what about if you are punched by your boss at a party? As farfetched as it sounds it really happened, Kevin Charles from Crossland Employment Solicitors joined Georgie Frost to explain what happened and the legal issues involved in the resulting court case.

It's nearly the final of the latest series of the Apprentice - which concentrates mainly on the young entrepreneur... but what about the rise of the 'Olderprenuer'? New research shows the over 55's are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Over a fifth say they need to generate extra income due to high living costs. Former TV Apprentice star Nick Hewer joined Georgie Frost on the line to discuss why there is now a rise of the 'olderpreneur' - also with him is Simon Healy, MD of Savings for Aldermore.

This week financial heavyweights Lindsay Cook and James Walker from Resolver enter the ring to fight for your rights in the financial world. We take a look at how to avoid fraud and how banks could help more, How honest should we be with our partners about our money stash? And why should London’s Victoria station brace itself for this weeks’ Sucker punch?

Another day, another new tool that claims to help us manage our money. A new online budgeting app, Squirrel, is helping thousands of Brits take control of their personal finances. Mutaz Qubbaj, founder of the budgeting app Squirrel joined Georgie Frost in the studio with Guy Smith to explain how it works.

There's a warning this year is your last cheap Christmas dinner - because of the EU exit. Inflation reached a two-year high last month, according to official statistics. The slump in Sterling since the referendum has bumped up the price of imports and the cost of key ingredients like butter, sugar and even Turkey. Georgie Frost checked in with Lesley Negus from Thrifty Lesley from the Moneyblogger community to find out about how to provide the festive food of your choice without breaking the bank.

Georgie Frost is joined in the studio by Tom Church, Co-Founder of www.latestdeals.co.uk. Today on the agenda, they discuss boosting your pension pot, the Southern Rail train strikes and dealing with the Post Office despite yet more strikes so close to Christmas. All these stories and more on The News Review.