Share Sounds related to Personal Finance - Energy

Energy bills are going up in January and are expected to rise again in April, with the push for net zero being partly to blame: but could the hated standing charge be on the way out? Also, with many people opting for cash this Christmas, half of us are having trouble paying in notes and coins — should the Government step in? The team also discuss neighbourly disputes over fences, the best way to give money, and Lee Boyce continues to hold onto his premium bonds.

House price predictions for next year have started to roll in, so where do the experts think they are headed next? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Lee Boyce discuss the property market - and delve into figures that attempt to tackle the tricky question: is it harder to buy a home now versus 50 years ago? And sticking with property, Halifax has launched a highly unusual fixed-rate mortgage — should borrowers be tempted? With the weather turning colder, we talk how to stay warm this winter without breaking the bank and whether it is worth getting a fixed tariff with your energy firm. We reveal the amount you should have saved in your pension in every decade of your life to guarantee a golden retirement — and how much notice you should pay to these formulas. And lastly, Lee reveals his top tips for avoiding the out of contract rip-off trap — and how he's saving more than £400 in the next 12 months by doing so.

As winter approaches and heating use increases, it's crucial to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, otherwise known as the "silent killer". Despite the threat, almost one in three UK households still don’t have a CO detector, putting many at risk. Joining Adam Cox to discuss this is SGN’s Social Impact Programme Lead, Dan Edwards.

Adam Cox is joined by Jason Howlett, the CEO of GivEnergy. They discuss rising energy bills and costs in the UK, as well as some new research that was carried out by GivEnergy which saw some interesting results. https://givenergy.co.uk/

Gold has hit record highs this week and has rocketed so far this year. What’s driving the price and how do you invest? Tanya Jefferies, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce turn their attention to the precious metal — a notoriously volatile investment, but yet seen as a safe haven. Energy bills will be back on the up, with the new Ofgem price cap announced for October. Is it worth fixing before the hike comes in? And one in four are expected to struggle this winter with their energy bills — just as the new Winter Fuel Payment is taken away for millions of households. We bust some myths on inherited state pension and ask how DWP can be dishing out incorrect information and also question whether annuity deals have peaked. Plus, we run the rule over two juicy reader questions. Firstly, what are your rights if you drunkenly lend money to a friend? Secondly, what can you do about a property next door being converted into an HMO with six students?

Adam Cox is joined by Giles Dickson, the CEO of WindEurope. Giles talks to Adam all about the current state of wind energy in the UK. With a new government at the helm, Giles also discusses what the future could hold for wind energy. https://windeurope.org/

Haitem tells Adam all about new research he's conducted regarding renewable energy, as well as what the government needs to do regarding renewables during election season. https://nationwide-renewables.co.uk/

The Bank of England decided to hold the base rate for the sixth time in a row this week – but was it the right decision? Should the MPC have been bold and made a cut? What does it mean for our mortgages and savings? And when will a move come - and in what direction? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce talk about the base rate decision and what happens next. In the world of property, the number of homes being devalued is on the rise. So, what's going on? And what can you do if it happens to you? Bungalows are having a moment. They're not just for the elderly and downsizers, young families and first time buyers are also increasingly interested - pushing the price of them higher since the pandemic. Energy firms have been trying to push smart meters on us for years: have they uncovered a new trick to get us to make the swap? And finally, it's been good news for JD Wetherspoon - the no frills pub chain said it expects annual profits to come in towards the 'top end' of forecasts. Where do you stand on Spoons? Lee and Simon face-off with different pints of view on the pub giant.

With next week's Budget (Wednesday 6th March) tipped to be the Chancellor’s last roll of the dice before a General Election, expectations over tax cuts are growing. But what taxes could Jeremy Hunt choose to cut and why – and is there hope that he will sort out the tax mess that Britain has got stuck in. The higher income child benefit charge creates marginal tax rates above 50%, meanwhile the removal of the personal allowance bakes in a 60% income tax rate between £100,000 and £125,140. Should these tax traps and painfully high stamp duty be removed? Simon Lambert argues that Mr Hunt needs to have a clear out, chuck a load of stuff in the stupid tax box and bin it. Simon, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce look ahead to what could be in the Budget and what it would mean for you. Also, energy bills are due to fall as the price cap is cut: but how much will this save you? It’s not just tax catching people out, student loans are also proving difficult to shift as interest mounts up due to high inflation. Does the student finance system need a sort out too? And what is Simon’s triple lock for student loans plan? And finally, don’t get spear-phished or tap-jacked, Lee talks us through the new scams you need to know about.

The Bank of England held base rate once again at 5.25%, the fourth hold in succession – but this time, it was a genuine split by MPC members. So, when will we start seeing rates fall – and will inflation really be at the target 2% by April? Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost discuss what another interest rate pause means for you – and what that means for savings and mortgage rates, along with investors. Where do you stand on the smart meter debate? With This is Money readers getting in touch to say they’re stuck with faulty devices, are they worth having? Lee says he still has no plans to get one of the marmite devices while Simon believes they can be worth it, especially for those who are rubbish at submitting meter readings. We also go back to school and have a maths lesson from Mr Lambert to reveal the six real world calculations you should have in your arsenal to improve your financial health. And we get on the money therapist’s couch to discuss the pitfalls of getting - and over-using - a joint bank account… should a partner ever be made to feel guilty for spending?