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Almost everyone is in favor of advancements in green energy. But we’re still a long way off from cleaner sources being able to take over from more traditional forms of energy, like fossil fuels. If we were to make the switch now, it would inevitably mean moving from a high-energy society to a low-energy society. But what would this mean in practice? Today we’re speaking with the IEA’s Head of Education, Dr Steve Davies. Steve paints a picture of radical changes that would have to be made in order to adapt to a low-energy society. Two major changes include a return to agriculture focus in local areas, with over 30 per cent of the population needing to return to the farms to make sure communities could be fed. Furthermore, it would almost certainly mean the return of traditional gender roles, as it was the many advancements in energy in particular, that enabled women to liberate themselves out of the home and into the workforce. And while many people who advocate for a low-energy society seem to think that the things they like will continue, while the things they loathe will be scrapped, Steve argues that many conveniences, and indeed miracles, of modern society – like international plane travel and use of the internet – would be wiped out almost completely, with only the world’s elite having access to such luxuries.

Since the late 1990s, there has been a push to improve the educational outcomes of disadvantaged children - with governments viewing free early education as key to the achievement of this aim. Dr Jo Blanden, Reader in Economics and Research Director of the School of Economics at the University of Surrey, joins Peter Urwin to talk of her work investigating whether free nursery care impacts children’s educational performance. Overall the suggestion is that these policies have been associated with a large amount of "dead weight" - using taxpayers' money to support people in doing things that they would have done anyway. They consider whether the findings present a challenge to the suggestion that early years interventions provide best returns; or is it the specifics of this policy that need rethinking?

Following new research which reveals that two thirds of us don’t love the home we live in, Adam Cox talks to Will Jones and Andrew Weiss of BHETA. They discuss the emotional aspect of home ownership, home improvements and renting, as well as how a bit of courage and enthusiasm could be an opportunity to create huge equity in your property – and to climb the property ladder.

It’s time for the annual This is Money Christmas taste test – and our look at how the supermarket business is faring. This year, the contenders are Sainsbury’s for the mass market, Waitrose for the upmarket, and Lidl for the discount challenger. But which will come out on top across a range of Christmas food and who delivered the cheapest bill? Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce take on Georgie Frost’s festive feast to find out in this week’s podcast and discuss whether the big supermarkets are doing better after some difficult years, if the rise of Aldi and Lidl will continue, and how Tesco and Sainsbury’s shares compare.

From the Government’s Help To Buy and Shared Ownership schemes to the recent reduction in stamp duty and Bank of Mum & Dad, just how easy is it for first time buyers to get a foot on the property ladder? In this edition, we hear from Laura about buying her first home and Jack’s aspirations to become a landlord or developer. Expert guests are on hand to offer help and advice: Kate Faulkner, MD of Property Checklists, Investment Coach Damien Fogg of theepinvestor.com and Financial Adviser Jay Rooney from One And All Financial. Inside Property is produced in collaboration with the National Landlords Association.

After announcing the first interest rate rise for a decade, if the Bank of England introduces further rises in 2018, how might this affect the housing market? Theresa May wants the state to get back into the business of building subsidised rental homes, so could we see a return to growth for the social rented sector? And weighing up the pros and cons of Conservative and Labour party ideas and initiatives for the private rented sector, what could your property business look like in 2025? Richard Blanco is joined by Chris Norris, Head of Policy at The National Landlords Association and landlord and journalist Victoria Whitlock from The Evening Standard.

Welcome to the This is Money show on Share Radio. From major supermarkets to micro-entrepreneurs we’ll be focusing on businesses big and small. Growing competition, inflation and a weak pound are all spelling problems for the retail sector whilst plans to scrap tax breaks threaten small businesses with bigger bills. Running through the various other issues from 4G to the strength of the high street Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Consumer Affairs Editor Lee Boyce. Plus how the new, forgery proof pound coin might not prove as secure as hoped.

Georgie Frost is joined by financial heavy weights Lindsay Cook and Andy Webb. This week they take on the malfunctioning smart meters charging people as much as seven times their normal bill. Plus why insurance companies are getting the sucker punch this week and is it really a good idea to pay off your student debt?

Welcome to the This is Money Show on Share Radio. The UK parties are now getting into full election mode and already we’ve seen a range of policy suggestions, debates and u-turns appearing. From energy price caps to scrapping death duty hikes we’ll but looking at what all these could mean for the finances of voters. Also weighing in on the French election and GDP Georgie Frost is joined by Editor Simon Lambert and Personal Finance Editor Rachel Rickard Straus. Plus it’s your final week to spend the old paper five pound note.

Every week we meet some of the people behind the twitter handles from the UK money blogger community. This time Share Radio's Sara Macham spoke to Andy Webb; a blogger, journalist and trainer on all things money and consumer. His site is becleverwithyourcash.com and he tweets @AndyCleverCash.