Podcasts

According to a new report released by the Forum of Private Business and Clifton Asset Management small business owners are facing a retirement 'time bomb'. The report shows a bleak outlook for small business owners - particularly those aged 50+ - and their financial security. So what should small business owners and entrepreneurs be doing to secure their funds for later life?

From tomorrow, many employers will be affected by the introduction of the apprenticeship levy. For some, this is a major opportunity to up-skill the UK workforce, for others it just might be another tax on business alongside business rates bills, auto-enrolment pensions and rising minimum wage rates.

According to the latest British Retail Consortium and Nielsen shop price index, global food commodity costs have risen, however intense competition between retailers is keeping the increase low at one per cent. So, what's contributing to this fierce competition between food retailers and what do the figures mean for consumers?

According to EY's latest Fraud Survey, senior managers are failing to set the right tone on business ethics. 51 per cent of respondents to the survey still perceive that bribery and corruption is still a major issue within business. So why are senior managers failing to set the right tone?

Tesla's market value has overtaken Ford's after shares in the soared more than 7%. The electric car maker has a market value of $49bn, compared with Ford's value of $46bn. James Brydges asked David Bailey, professor of industry at Aston Business School, whether the news was significant.

MPs have warned the Government about the risks of the UK and EU failing to reach a trading agreement during Brexit negotiations. The cross-party Committee for Exiting the European Union has urged ministers to work out how much 'no deal' would cost - but some committee members weren't willing to support the report. Hilary Benn MP chairs the Committee - he told Share Radio's Alex Clark what his report set out to achieve.

It's time to talk politics. Today: the Brexit committee's chairman on why he's warned the Government of the risks of 'no deal'; why the National Trust has had to deny it's 'airburshing faith'; and should the UK follow a minimum alcohol price?

Global leadership on climate change is in limbo. With cuts to environmental agency coffers and curbs to the enforcement of climate regulations, President Trump has turned the US approach to climate change on its head. What lies ahead for global climate policy? And how can companies be open with their shareholders when it comes to the environment?

Social media was meant to bring us together. Fast-forward to 2017 and we've all gotten stuck in our own bubbles. Can our politics cope? On today's Book Review: '#Republic: Divided Democracy in the Age of Social Media' by Cass Sunstein.

On today's Wrap: Online fashion retailer Asos records a rise in half-year profits and sales, helped by a strong international performance, The FTSE 100 makes good gains even after a tough session for supermarkets, sales in Topps Tiles fall 4% during the first quarter of 2017 and much more. Simon is joined by Chris Bailey, the founder of Financial Orbit.