Podcasts

The Financial Conduct Authority has outlined new proposals to crack down on financial spread betting. Financial spread-betting products known as "contracts for difference" are agreements that allow two parties to exchange the difference between the opening price and closing price of a contract. However they are notoriously risky- with an investigation by the FCA finding that 82% of investors lost money on them. Shares in spread betting companies fell dramatically today after the news. To find out more about the measures proposed, Simon was joined by Jake Green Regulation Partner at law firm Ashurst.

Share Radio's Juliette Foster is joined in the studio by John Kay, economist, academic and author of "The Long and the Short of It: A Guide to Finance and Investment for Normally Intelligent People Who Aren't in the Industry". In the book John Kay demonstrates his belief that anyone can be their own investment manager - just as long as they follow some simple rules to develop their own workable strategy. Using humour and case studies, John guides the reader through the complexities of modern finance in order to give them the confidence to take control of their financial destiny.

This is Emerging Opportunities, the only show on radio dedicated to global emerging markets. Hosting today's show are Share Radio's Juliette Foster and managing editor of the Frontier Funds Consultancy, Gavin Serkin. This week they're exploring an industry that's particularly critical in emerging markets: the raising of finance for gas and oil projects. The hosts speak with Andrew Moorfield, who is the head of natural resources at the investment bank, Exotix.

Spread betting firms plunged 30% earlier today after the Financial Conduct Authority announced new regulations for the sector. Chief among their fears was that customers using these products didn't understand them properly and as a result weren't aware of the risks involved. Share Radio's Juliette Foster speaks to Billy Bambrough, City A.M.'s deputy news editor, to help illuminate what these products are, what the new rules entail, and which firms will be affected the most by the change.

Private debt in the UK stands at £1.5 trillion, according to the latest figures from "The Money Charity" which educates people in managing their finances. The average adult now owes almost £30,000 or just over 113% of their annual earnings, while outgoings from mortgages, loans and credit cards constitute 82% of what the entire economy produces in a year. Yet behind the numbers lurk individual stories of hardship along with concerns about the impact of debt on the economy's long-term ability to function. So is it time for governments to change their perception of debt and to stop seeing it as the sole responsibility of those who are struggling to pay their way? Joining Share Radio's Juliette Foster and our economics correspondent Professor John Weeks is Dr. Johanna Montgomerie, Deputy Director at the Political Economy Research Centre at Goldsmiths University.

The Government has announced plans for the first integrated rail franchise separate from Network Rail in decades. East West rail will manage both the tracks and trains of a new link between Oxford and Cambridge - an approach that Number 10 hopes will put Britain's railways back on track. Share Radio's Juliette Foster is joined on the line by Steve Hedley, Senior Assistant General Secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) to gauge his reaction: is this a positive move?

Fears are mounting that Italian bank Monte dei Paschi's €5bn bank recapitalisation plan has been jeopardised by the political upheaval following Matteo Renzi's resignation as Prime Minister. Bankers have said that if this private sector solution does fail, the world's oldest bank may require a state bailout. Share Radio's Juliette Foster is joined by Ferdinando Giugliano, Economics Commentator at la Repubblica based in Rome. Themes include the likelihood that a state bailout will occur, and the consequences of such a bailout.

It's day 2 of the Supreme Court hearing on Prime Minister Theresa May's bid to take Britain out of the European Union without a parliamentary vote. While the lawyers slug it out, Chancellor Philip Hammond says the government hasn't dismissed the idea of Britain paying into the EU budget even after leaving the bloc. He claims it's the only way that British companies will be able to access Europe's single market in a post-Brexit world. However Michel Barnier, Europe's Chief Negotiator, says countries outside the bloc can never have the same rights and benefits as those within. So the message to Mr Hammond: "Collez-le dans votre pipe et fumez la" - which in English means "Stick it in your pipe and smoke it!" For more analysis Share Radio's Juliette Foster was joined in the studio by John Barrass, the non smoking Deputy Chief Executive of the Wealth Management Association.

The financial Services sector made its highest recorded tax contribution in the year to 31 March 2016. The figure of £71.4 billion is an increase of 7.4% on the previous year. To find out more about this Simon Rose was joined by Andrew Packman tax partner from PwC.

Financial heavyweight, Lindsay Cook is here, slugging away for that pound in your pocket. This week we'll be taking on the energy firms hiding their cheapest tariffs from customers. As Christmas shopping continues apace we debate whether store cards are really worth it and delivering the sucker punch to the rip offs. Plus continuing the festive theme we look at the demise of the Christmas card in modern manners.