Share Sounds

Nicola Sturgeon says she wants a second Scottish independence referendum - and it could be held as early as next autumn. For more on what's next, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher spoke with Robert Colvile, editor of CapX.

UK firms are getting more confident, that according to the latest UK Business Outlook survey from Markit. To find out why Ed spoke to Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at IHS Market.

Two takeover bids for housebuilder Bovis Homes pushed the share price up 9 percent today even as the company rejected the initial offers from Redrow and Galliford Try. The latter remains 'in talks' with Bovis on another bid. Share Radio's Ed Bowsher was joined by Ken Odeluga from City Index for the day's need-to-know company news.

A £2.2bn takeover deal has been agreed between Amec Foster Wheeler and Aberdeen-based Wood Group, creating a £5bn energy services company. And the pound has picked up today despite increasing uncertainty - for more on the big market stories of the day, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher spoke to Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets.

It's nearly a week since the Budget, but the dust hasn't really settled yet. The Chancellor's decision to raise one of the National Insurance rates that self-employed people pay isn't going down well in many quarters. So what does the Budget mean for you?

A survey by Grant Thornton showed that of 5,500 businesses in 36 economies, the proportion of women in senior management has reached an all-time high of 25 per cent, up 1 percentage point from 2016, and up 6 percentage points since the survey began in 2004. Share Radio's Sara Macham spoke to Kate Cooper, Head of Research, Policy & Standards at the Institute of Leadership & Management, to find out how the UK fared in the survey compared to other countries.

Last week the Chancellor announced £500m worth of investment into technical education as part of the budget. Amongst the changes we'll see the introduction of new T-level qualifications aimed at teaching vocational subjects. To find out more about the investments being made Sarah Pennells spoke to Petra Wilton, Director of Strategy and External Affairs at the CMI.

It's the kind of thing we don't want to have to think about, and dealing with a whole load of forms and numerous different companies is probably the last thing you want to do when your loved one has died. There are a number of things to consider though, not least changes to bereavement benefits which could leave thousands of widows and widowers worse off. Sarah Pennells is joined by Alastair McQueen from pensions and insurance provider Aviva, David Samson of turn2Us, which specializes in benefits advice and help and James Ward, Partner and Head of Private Clients at Seddons.

A new phone scam has been hitting the headlines lately. People are being warned to hang up their phones if someone asks ‘can you hear me?’. The supposed con started in the US last month with experts warning it is set to sweep the UK with fraudsters tricking people into saying ‘yes’ to swindle you out of huge amounts of money. But is this a genuine threat? Tony Neate is the CEO of the organisation Get Safe Online and joined Sarah to explain more.

Sarah Pennells was joined by independent money expert Martyn James this morning. Today on the agenda, they discussed the thousands of workers on Southern Railway, Merseyrail and Arriva Trains North. Plus they look into why average rents across the country have fallen for the first time in more than six years. All these stories and more on The News Review.