Podcasts

The state pension triple-lock should be scrapped, according to some MPs. The 'triple lock' guaranteeing the elderly an annual state pension increase of at least 2.5 per cent is under threat. The annual rises in the state pension are decided by whatever is the highest of price inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5 per cent. But now MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee say it’s too expensive. For more information, Sue Dougan spoke to former pension minister and Director of Policy at Royal London, Steve Webb

Now, how do you show you care? Cook someone their favourite meal? Make them a cup of tea? or perhaps a demonstration of affection like a spontaneous hug? However, new research published today reveals it is women who are more likely to be genuine - 37% - but its half of men who are scoring brownie points with heir partner, friends or relatives. Life coach Carole Ann Rice and Dietician Dr Sarah Schenker join Sue Dougan on the line.

How many bank accounts now beat inflation? On Tuesday, we heard UK inflation registered a surprise fall in October, - 0.9%, from 1% in September according to the Office for National Statistics, although there were signs that the pressure on consumer prices is starting to build. And rate reductions in the savings market have now outweighed rate rises for 13 consecutive months. To find out what is wrong with the latest figures, Sue Dougan was joined on the line by Charlotte Nelson from Moneyfacts.

All this week is 'Financial Capability week' we are looking at how to make the most of your money. Yesterday we focused on young people. But now, new research from Pay-m, the UK's mobile to mobile payment service, has found that sharing a sort code and account number is a scary prospect for three out of four of us, with almost three quarters saying it makes us feel anxious. Well, to find out more about this aspect, our reporter Melanie Wray spoke to Pay-M's spokesman Shane Mckenna.

Sue Dougan is joined in the studio by Share Radio's senior analyst Ed Bowsher. On the agenda today, they discuss the big story - that UK unemployment fell by 37,000 to 1.6 million in the three months to September. Eslewhere, the NHS has been criticised for a lack of spending on cyber-security putting sensitive medical data at risk. Plus more than half of UK firms are worried about a lack of nationwide productivity. All these stories and more on The News Review.

Energy suppliers are allegedly making larger profits than they admit. The Sun Newspaper claimed they could be making a 24% profit margin, almost six times higher than figures provided by regulator Ofgem. The newspaper based its claims on a PwC report commissioned by Energy UK. Energy UK rejects the claims saying they were "a misrepresentation of facts". But now Business Secretary Greg Clark has started an investigation. To get a clearer grasp on the situation and the upcoming investigation, Matt Cox spoke to Senior Analyst at NRG Expert, Edgar van der Meer.

Scottish Widows has launched its annual Women & Retirement report. The findings suggest that whilst more women than ever are saving for their retirement, the gap between men and women is widening. Jackie Leiper is a retirement expert at Scottish Widows, and she discussed the factors behind a widening gender gap.

Diane Coyle, Founder of Enlightenment Economics and Professor of Economics at the University of Manchester, who’s also former advisor to the UK Treasury, joined Share Radio Breakfast to speak about the Festival of Economics, which she is programming, which is taking place in Bristol.

Scotland could attempt a Norway-like model of EU membership. The idea emerged in a leaked memo, where it seems the Scottish government is considering European Economic Area membership as a possible way to maintain links with the block. To find out if this could be a viable way for Scotland to remain in the EU, Matt Cox spoke to Share Radio's Scotland correspondent Maurice Smith.

With Black Friday and the busiest shopping period of the year approaching, research from Barclaycard has revealed that frustrated consumers are turning their backs on the high street. As a result, retailers are facing growing pressure to improve their in-store experience, or risk losing out on sales. To discuss this, Paul Lockstone, Managing Director at Barclaycard, joined Share Radio Breakfast.