Podcasts from This is Money

Georgie Frost is joined by editor Simon Lambert to talk property: why now might be a good time to think about building your own home; whether pensioners should get a stamp duty break for downsizing; and can you sell your home for knockdown price to avoid care costs?Also: 'Time will prove me right' says Neil Woodford - Simon explains why he’s not deserted the beleaguered fund manager. And the SUV penalty: how much picking a 4x4 will really cost you at the pumps.

This is Money in partnership with NS&I with Georgie Frost, editor Simon Lambert and assistant editor Lee Boyce. In this week's show, the team discusses different topics such if it is an issue covering the care costs of an ageing population; would you be willing to pay a higher rate of tax for every flight you take, and can we ever trust car manufacturers and their data again? Also how do you find out if a local business has gone bust? And don't forget about the tip of the week: Sick of chatbots, being left on hold and email addresses you can't find? You CAN fight back!

Georgie Frost is joined by editor Simon Lambert and assistant editor Lee Boyce to talk about going green, giving you some useful tips and tricks that are good for the planet as well as your wallet. Also they'll be looking at why the hybrid car of choice, the Toyota Prius, isn’t just for Uber drivers and eco-conscious celebs. Plus…the team look at where the 40 something year old business owner with no pension should invest; continue to puzzle over the baffling state pension top-up system and ask just how far over the limit CAN you drive in your area before being issued with a ticket?

This is Money in partnership with NS&I, with Georgie Frost, Assistant editor Lee Boyce and reporter George Nixon. In this week's episode, the team brings us some good news for victims of bank fraud, for renters chucked out for no good reason and savers struggling to save. However, Amazon shoppers, London house sellers and procrastinators haven't been so lucky themselves. Stay tune for the latest, breaking money news.

There are three certainties in life. You know the drill. You’re born, you will die and you will listen to this podcast about tax. As another new tax year is upon us, editor Simon Lambert and host Georgie Frost explain the tax changes that will affect you. There is a nice pay rise for more than 20 million people as the personal allowance is raised. And Simon answers some of the questions on everyone’s lips: What is the lifetime allowance What is inheritance tax? Why do married couples get a tax break? Should families be rewarded when both parents work? How does national insurance work? And why do the cost of stamps and all your bills all go up on the same day? You'll learn an awful lot about things you need to know about tax without having to read about it.

As we fast approach one fifth of the way through the 21st century, the world of finance is modernising in ways that would have been unimaginable a few years ago. And not always in a good way. The language of ‘savings’ has evolved to the point of dishonesty and even fraud. On this week’s podcast editor Simon Lambert and reporter George Nixon join host Georgie Frost to look at fancy new Innovative Finance Isas, at savings products that claim to offer 8% returns and to be protected by the official savings watchdog but are in fact risky investments – and the fraud investigation at London Capital and Finance, where thousands of ‘savers’ lost millions of pounds. Simon guides listeners through the dark side of mini bonds and the complex web of companies that savers’ money was poured into at LC and F before it collapsed owing £236m. The City watchdog supposedly overseeing the company is also now being investigated . On a cheerier note, George explains how teenagers are able to invest on the stock market and how easy it can be to get started, plus a couple of new free share dealing services, an old-fashioned holiday trap and whether insurance companies would pay out if your flash car crash is on video and on social media.

This is Money in partnership with NS&I. Host Georgie Frost and Editor Simon Lambert are joined by assistant editor Lee Boyce for an ISA special. With the clock ticking on Brexit and the tax year, now is the time to sort your ISA or pension. However, you may already be too late as some banks and building societies have already pulled their market-leaders. Saying that, Lee has still manage to find his top cash picks for 2019. Plus Simon helps you how to get started on investing in an ISA and how to choose the best (and cheapest) SIPP. The team call in the experts to give their last minute fund ideas and they tackle the B-word – Brexit- and it’s potential impact on your money, especially older savers.

The Government wants to scrap gas boilers in new homes by 2025 – but what are the viable alternatives? And how much will they cost? This week, This is Money editor Simon Lambert, reporter Grace Gausden and host Georgie Frost explore the options. And on the energy theme, you can now ask Alexa: when will my electricity bills be cheapest? Energy company Octopus has teamed up with Amazon, the creator of Alexa, and will pay customers to use electricity at off-peak periods. Sound too good to be true? We also talk 'dumb' smart meters and reveal which energy firm we're leaving en masse... Plus the team teach you the tips of the successful haggle as it emerges which telecoms giants are easiest to bargain with.

With all the shenanigans in Westminster last week you could be forgiven for failing to register we had a Spring Statement at all – let alone clocked its finer points. Editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost fill you in on what you may have missed. It includes forecasts from the Office for Budgetary Responsibility on the UK economy, along with income growth, interest rates, the pound and house prices. We also have the true scale of the tax burden on families and businesses, with the overall tax take equivalent to 34.6% of Britain's economy, a level not seen since Harold Wilson was Prime Minister. Income tax receipts will rise nearly £54billion in the next five years, with steep rises forecast for National Insurance, VAT and Corporation Tax. A hike in probate 'fees' was waved through without a vote or debate in parliament by classifying it as a fee not a tax – but the ONS is now calling it a tax. The OBR also reveals that two flagship savings schemes have not been anywhere near as popular as planned, while boilers are out – as are feed-in tariffs from solar panels.