Podcasts

There's a warning the UK's electrical infrastructure is not equipped for the rise in Electric Vehicle or EV use over the next decade. A report from the Green Alliance suggests peak demand for electricity could double before 2050, leading to so called brown outs or black outs if local grids are not actively managed.

The start of the new tax year earlier this month didn't only mean changes to taxes and the introduction of a lifetime ISA, it also resulted in some big changes to benefits. Critics say that some of these changes will leave families much worse off. And some of the changes, such as the introduction of the so-called 'rape clause' are pretty controversial.

British businesses have at least £498bn tied up in excess working capital, which could be used to boost cashflow and growth. A combination of revenue growth, which increases the amount of money tied up in unpaid invoices, and firms strategically building up their inventories ahead of anticipated price hikes, have increased pressure on businesses to have more working capital.

A general election period brings uncertainty but can also be good for businesses. While there are naturally concerns that things can slow down in the run up to a vote, it is also a chance for entrepreneurs and business leaders to have their voices heard.

Emmanuel Macron will run against Marine Le Pen to become France's next president. Macron, running as an independent centrist, came ahead of the far-right Le Pen with 23.9% of the vote versus 21.4% for Le Pen. Is this evidence Macron will win, or will the election end with a tight finish? Michael Considine spoke to James Shields, Professor of French Politics at Aston University.

Jeremy Corbyn has spoken today at the Scottish Trades Union Conference. He said he would repeal the Conservatives' Trade Union Act, and also repeated his pledge to raise the living wage and stop the public sector pay cap. Corbyn also spoke of ending "the need for food banks in Britain". Winning speech or empty words? To discuss this in more detail and for some of the other big political news of the day, Michael Considine spoke to Robert Colvile, Editor at CapX.

Luxury goods maker Jimmy Choo has offered the company up for sale after a slowdown in sales in recent years. The company, which is valued at about £700m, could attract the attention of rival luxury brands. For more on this and other company announcements, Michael Considine was joined by Ken Odeluga, Market Analyst at City Index.

European markets have been dominated by the fallout from Emmanuel Macron's victory in the French presidential election. Macron came out on top with 23.7% of the votes against Le Pen's 21.5%. Macron is now expected to win the run-off between the two of them. To look at the economic climate in France in more detail, and for more of the day's big macro news, Michael Considine was joined by Jamie McGeever, Chief Markets Correspondent at Reuters.

A lack of skilled workers is increasingly forcing many employers to offer higher wages and lower requirements for candidates. That's according to research from The Recruitment & Employment Confederation which found nearly half of employers struggling to recruit for permanent roles. To find out more about what's causing this Share Radio's Tom Hill spoke to REC Director of Policy and Professional Services Tom Hadley.

SIPPs have become much more popular in recent years - partly because their charges have fallen. But what exactly are they and who are they suitable for?