Podcasts from Share Radio Morning with Sarah Pennells

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.

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.

Today on the agenda, Sarah Pennells and David Braithwaite from Citrus Financial Management discussed the cap on household energy bills set to be included in the Conservative manifesto. Plus they look into the new 12-sided pound coin only came into circulation last month, but it has already been forged. All these stories and more on The News Review.

The next French president will be either National Front leader Marine Le Pen or the centrist Emmanuel Macron after the first round of election voting. Meanwhile over here, Jeremy Corbyn is going to repeat a promise to scrap the Conservatives' trade union legislation if he gets into Downing Street after the general election. To discuss all these political stories, Sarah spoke to Natasha Clark, Digital Westminster Correspondent at The Sun.

Last week saw the introduction of new gender pay reporting regulations forcing companies employing more than 250 people to publish information about their pay. So, what will this information really tell you, what can you do if you think you're not being paid the same as men in your organisation and what happens if you don't comply with the rules?

Today on the agenda, Sarah and personal finance journalist Rosie Taylor discussed changes in the rules imposed by the financial regulator, the FCA, mean that many find it harder to qualify for a mortgage deal. Plus they look into why parents spend an average of more than £2500 when their children leave home. All these stories and more on The News Review.

Some of the world's most powerful nations will discuss later how to respond to the crisis in Syria. Foreign secretary Boris Johnson has cancelled a visit to Moscow to attend the G7 meeting instead. Plus, police officers from around the country will be in London later for the funeral of PC Keith Palmer who died during the London terror attack.

Joining Sarah Pennells to discuss the latest market headlines is Share Radio's Nigel Cassidy, starting with Barclays. City regulators are investigating the bank and its boss Jes Staley. Plus, staying with banks and investigations, a secret recording that implicates the Bank of England in Libor rigging has been uncovered by BBC Panorama.

Today on the agenda, Georgie and Hannah Maundrell from Money.co.uk discussed if travel companies shouldn't be given free rein to charge what they like for travel during the school holidays. Plus they look into why companies across the country appear to be struggling to get the staff they want. All these stories and more on The News Review.

The US has attacked a Syrian air base, from where government forces are thought to have launched chemical strikes which killed dozens of people this week. President Trump says it was in America's 'vital national security interests' to prevent and deter the use of chemical weapons. Ryan Heath from Senior correspondent at POLITICO Europe gave us his view of this action.