Podcasts

Debt crises, high unemployment and now BREXIT...it hasn't been a great year for the European Union as it fights to hold together what's left of the bloc whilst retaining and building the credibility of the single currency. Can the Euro survive or is it hamstrung by Europe's competing visions of what the future is supposed to be? It all points to a philosophical difference between the founding countries of the single currency bloc, France and Germany. Can the differences be resolved or have events reached a point from which there is no turning back. Professor Harold James, is one of three authors of the new book, The Euro and the Battle of Ideas. Harold James now joined Juliette Foster in the studio.

This week financial journalists Lindsay Cook and Anne Caborn take on consumer reviews- can we rely on them and what should we check before making a purchase? Plus we find out why The Archers is being awarded the Golden Gloves Award this week and they talk us through ATM etiquette.

MPs on the Energy and Climate Change Committee have warned the Government that, on its current course, the UK will fail to achieve its 2020 renewable energy target: to provide for 15% of its energy needs from renewable sources. This comes on the back of the government cutting back subsidies for renewable energy. Share Radio's Steve Clarke talks with Bruce Davies, joint MD of green investment company Abundance; Ricardo Pineiro, lead manager at the Foresight Solar Fund, and head of Responsibility at Hermes Investment Management, Leon Kahmi.

Joining Steve Clarke in the studio is distinguished historian, Sir Richard J. Evans, to discuss his new book 'The Pursuit of Power: Europe, 1815-1914', out now and published by Allen Lane. There's been a flood of literature in the past couple of years associated with the anniversary of the first World War - but what was happening in Europe in the 100 years that led up to that? Themes explored within Sir Richard's new book and in the studio include rationalistic excess, scientific revolution, the inevitability of WW1 and the dramatic diplomatic ruptures that have permeated our past and present.

Georgie Frost is joined in the studio by Simon McCulloch, commercial director at comparethemarket.com. Today they discuss the rise in online financial scams as well as how a payday lending business could be forced to pay back £35m to its borrowers. Plus is the cashless society making us spend more? All these stories and more on The News Review.

Gadgets and Gizmos with Share Radio's technology editor Steve Caplin.

Welcome to Crowdfunders with Share Radio's Ed Bowsher, the show that covers peer-to-peer lending and all other forms of alternative finance. On this week's show: Ed focuses on two businesses that are raising cash on equity crowdfunding platforms at the moment. One is a robo-investment platform called Wealthify - it's a low-cost online investment service that picks investments for its customers based on their attitude to risk. Ed also investigates a crowdfunding platform called Crowd for Angels that is currently raising money to grow its business.

If you like the idea of tax breaks, you may want to consider Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) - they enable you to invest in young businesses whilst benefiting from big tax breaks. The Government's Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) might also attract you for the same reason. And if you want to find out more about these vehicles, you might want to attend the WiseAlpha VCT & EIS Investor Forum 2016, which is happening in London on November 24th To find out more, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher was joined by Modwenna Rees Mogg, Chair of this investor forum.

Today was a good day for commodity investors given that the share prices of big mining companies were on the up. But if you step back from today's activities, the last three years haven't been such a good period for the world of commodities - especially when you look at the prices of commodities such as copper, So to look at where commodities might go from here, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher was joined by Nitesh Shah, Director and Commodities Strategist at ETF Securities.

Georgie Frost is joined in the studio by independent financial expert Martyn James. Today they discuss recommendations from regulator Ofwat for greater competition in the water market as well as the growing prevalence of online fraud. Plus why Brits are more likely to trust their bank with biometric data than the government. All these stories and more on The News Review.