Share Sounds from Share Radio Afternoon

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that UK unemployment stayed flat at 4.8% in the last quarter of 2016, an 11-year low. Wages growth slowed down, growing by 2.6%, below the consensus forecast of 2.8%. John Philpott, Economist and Director of The Jobs Economist, an online think tank specialising in labour market issues, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher to discuss.

Today's UK job market figures were encouraging with unemployment flat but wage growth was less than expected and productivity remained sluggish. And in the US, interest rates are back in the headlines with Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen indicating rate rises. Ben Kumar, investment manager at Seven Investment Management, joined Share Radio's senior analyst for more on this.

Robert Singh, Professor of Politics at Birkbeck University of London, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher to talk on the latest political news from the US. Following Trump's National Security Adviser resignation, US intelligence agencies are now investigating the links between Russia and Trump's former campaign boss, Paul Manafort.

Life insurer Prudential PLC is bidding for a slice of the £12.5bn of Bradford & Bingley mortgages being sold by the government, Nex has just released its Q3 statement announcing that Trump effect boosted revenues by 11%, and Qinetiq's revenues are ‘steady’ as it looks to end a 5 years of decline. Chris Bailey, Founder of Financial Orbit, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher to look at these and other important company news.

City-based insurance marketplace Lloyd's of London has told its employees they can't drink from 9 to 5. But will a booze ban work? And when alcohol is common while doing business, how can workers say no? For more Share Radio's Ed Bowsher spoke with Laura Willoughby, co-founder of Club Soda, a group helping people cut back on alcohol.

UK inflation rose to a 31-month high of 1.8 percent in January, up from 1.6 percent in December. But is wage growth keeping up with inflation? Samuel Tombs, Chief Economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher for more on this.

The Greek economy suffered an unexpected contraction at the end of last year, shrinking 0.4% in the last quarter. It means that if the EU and the IMF can't agree on a new debt plan next week, there's a danger that Greece won't be able to pay its next debt repayment in July. So what does it mean for the troubled Mediterranean country? Ed Bowsher was joined by European affairs analyst Yannis Koutsomitis for more.

Despite a petition backed by 1.8 million people, Donald Trump will get his state visit. For the latest on UK politics John Rentoul, Chief Political Commentator at The Independent, spoke with Share Radio's senior analyst Ed Bowsher.

UK inflation for January is up to 1.8%, the highest rate since June 2014, as the pound remains weak. For more on this, John Barrass, Deputy Chief Executive of the Wealth Management Association, joined Share Radio's senior analyst Ed Bowsher.

Engine-maker Rolls-Royce has announced a pre-tax full year loss of £4.6 billion, one of the biggest UK corporate losses in history. But it's not all bad news for the company - Garry White, chief investment commentator at Charles Stanley, explains this and the major company stories of the day with Share Radio's Ed Bowsher.