Podcasts

Are we on the “Road to Zero”, or will we end up on a “Road to Nowhere” with the government’s new zero emissions car plans? How much would you pay to keep your email address? And the World Cup may not coming home...but we ask: How long does football fever last in the economy?

Today we’re by John Myers, co-founder of London YIMBY, which stands for Yes In My Back Yard. The group campaigns for more homes in London and the rest of the UK. Interviewed by IEA News Editor Kate Andrews, John talks through the main obstacles that stand in the way of building more homes, and how the current system makes it near impossible for quantity and quality in the housing sector to go hand-in-hand. John explains how the severe imbalance between supply and demand for housing in the UK, means that desperation to become a homeowner takes precedent, and often the aesthetics of property go out the window. John talks us through some solutions to the housing crisis, including allowing homeowners to have more control over planning permissions on their own street. Finally, the pair discuss the perverse incentives in politics around the housing crisis, and what decisions could be made in Westminster to help more young people secure cheaper mortgages and cheaper rent.

Ardi Kolah is director of the GDPR programme at Henley Business School, and the author of a recent guide to implementing the much-discussed regulation. He’s a lawyer by background, and a graduate of King’s College in London. He worked in corporate law before joining the BBC as a trainee, and later became one of the first voices on BBC Radio 5 (now 5 Live). Ardi has also taught law – even teaching Nick Clegg at Westminster School – and has run his own communications and PR agency. He says his track record may not look ideal, but it’s exactly the approach he would encourage anyone embarking on a career today to take. He says it’s all about taking chances and following your heart!

Happy birthday, NHS! That was the message from the prime minister, as she announced an extra £20bn of funding for the NHS in England by 2023. But is that enough? And where will the money come from? There’s been talk of a ‘Brexit dividend’ – does that mean the infamous battle bus promise has come true? Or will some of us have to pay more tax to keep our NHS on life support? And whatever happened to fixing our broken social care system? This week, Ayeisha Thomas-Smith is joined by Sarah Bedford, head of social policy at the New Economics Foundation, and Andy Cowper, comment editor of the Health Service Journal.

Adam Cox talks to business strategist Clive Daley, who is committed to helping retailers evolve and adapt to the dramatic changes that have occurred on our high streets and retail parks. Clive highlights that, while many retailers have been hit hard by the growth of online alternatives, there is still a place in the market for “experiential retail”. He talks about the rise of online market places – including the fast-growing online service Mano Mano, which intends to create a new way for people to buy and sell home and garden products; an industry that currently remains a place where most people still expect to physically see bricks-and-mortar retailers. They discuss why the DIY and home improvement industry is ripe for a seismic shift: could this potential “DIY disruption” be a good thing? Find out more at www.cfdstrategicsolutions.com.

Smart beta is sold as a way for private investors to follow sophisticated investment strategies at low cost. These include value (looking for cheap shares) and momentum (investing in companies where the share price is rising fast.) Ed Bowsher discusses the pros and cons with David Stevenson of ETFstream, Nicolas Samaran of Invesco, and market strategist Richard Wiggins.

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the outcome of Donald Trump's NATO meeting and the politics of his visit to the UK. He looks back at the resignation of Conservative Brexit-minded ministers and discusses the safety of Theresa May's position as head of her party.

Steve Caplin looks at the 10th anniversary of the App Store, Microsoft's Surface Go, an electric taxi taking payment in song, the world's lightest electric folding bike, the smartest lock ever, a 3D battery that will recharge in seconds and the most expensive purchases on eBay in 2017.

Helal Miah of The Share Centre looks back at news from Ocado, Barratt Developments, Burberry and ASOS and looks ahead to numbers coming from Royal Mail, RPC, Unilever and SSE.

James Cameron-Wilson looks at another week weak at the UK box office, despite one cinema chain showing England's World Cup games for free. He reviews the only new film in the top ten, The First Purge, though the Beatles' Yellow Submarine is also there for its 50th anniversary. He also reviews two home releases, Australian "Western" Sweet Country and the drama Allure.