Share Sounds from Share Radio Afternoon

Former Chancellor George Osborne has just been appointed as the new Editor of the Evening Standard. Osborne is expected to take up his role in May while still remaining the MP for Tatton. Plus, Nicola Sturgeon said May's rejection of a second Scottish referendum is 'completely outrageous and unacceptable'. Asa Bennett, Assistant Comment Editor at the Telegraph, joined us to discuss the latest political news.

George Osborne has been appointed as Editor of the London Evening Standard - and says he plans to retain his seat in Tatton. But will he be able to do the job with little journalistic experience? Ian Murray, ex-president of the Society of Editors and former Editor in Chief of the Southern Daily Echo, gave us his take.

On this week's magazine, a look on how to really invest in e-commerce. Plus, a reflection on the SNP's demand for a second Scottish independence referendum and what Theresa May's approach will be. Finally, a briefing on WTO terms and what would happen if the UK didn't reach a trade deal with the EU.

The US Federal Reserve increased its interest rate by 0.25 percentage points last night, that's the third time in a decade. The Fed seemed to be guiding markets not to expect three more rate rises this year. Gregory Daco, Chief US Economist at Oxford Economics joined us to discuss.

Hammond's dramatic U-turn on increasing national insurance for self-employed fuelled lots of criticism. The Chancellor acknowledged that the plan would have broken the voters' trust. Plus, Theresa May appears to have rejected the SNP's demand for a second independence referendum insisting "now is not the time". Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics joined us to discuss all this and more.

Sainsbury's shares have slipped around 2% today as the retailer warns uncertainty over Sterling will impact operations. Plus results from Balfour Beatty and OneSavings Bank, while Anglo American shares jump as billionaire Anil Agrawal snaps up a 12% stake. Adrian Lowcock, Investment Director and spokesperson for Architas, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher to analyse all the day's need-to-know company news.

The Bank of England has left rates on hold at 0.25% - but the move wasn't unanimous, with one vote for a rate rise. So what does this mean for consumers and markets? Plus both the FTSE 100 and 250 hit record highs today, what's driving this? For more on these and the day's biggest economic stories, Alastair McCaig, Director of Investment Management at Fern Wealth, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher for more.

As the Dutch go to the polls today, the right wing VVD party sits in front with the anti-Islamic and Eurosceptic Party of Freedom, headed by Geert Wilders, in second. But what impact will the increasingly fragmented political landscape have on The Netherlands' government? Rem Korteweg, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher for more.

Another drop in unemployment figures today, down to 4.7% in the three months to January, but wages aren't growing - can the UK solve its productivity puzzle? Ben Kumar from 7 Investment Management joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher to discuss the biggest economic stories of the day.

Premier Oil shares were up more than 14% today - but it's only some relief for investors as the pain of previous deals are still reflected in the price. Plus FTSE 100 drugmaker Hikma sees shares rise on good results and Unilever boss Paul Polman calls for changes to takeover rules following Kraft's approach earlier this year. For these and all the day's need-to-know company news Chris Bailey, founder of Financial Orbit, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher.