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Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that Labour, beginning with the means testing of the winter fuel payment, has moved to the right of the Conservatives and begun a barrage of welfare cuts. He believes the Tories have fallen into Starmer's trap and do not know how to react; they need a more sophisticated approach to opposition. He discusses how Labour intend to drive growth with a housebuilding spurt but will central planning work? And he marvels at the inflexion point that is AI, particularly withthe news that AI will be able to detect early signs of over 1,000 diseases.

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the increase in salary of Downing Street Chief of Staff Sue Gray to £170,000, £3,000 more than the PM. Only time will tell how valuable her role is. Given Labour's attack on sleaze when in opposition, how serious are the revelations about freebies given to Keir Starmer and other politicians? What do donors expect in return? Mike also discusses the optimism of the LibDem conference. But they aren't a cohesive parliamentary group yet and are very much a party of southern England. And he looks at the Darzi review into the NHS. What could reforms look like and how can Labour seriously reduce the number of people who are off work sick?

James Cameron-Wilson tells Simon Rose that box office is down 21%, with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice still #1. #2 is the James McAvoy thriller of manners Speak No Evil which James praised highly while advising cinemagoers to avoid the trailer. Kate Winslet stars in passion project Lee (#3) about WW2 photojournalist Lee Miller. While she is brilliant and the film looks amazing, the story is so slow paced and conventionally told James had trouble keeping his eyes open. And while he enjoyed Ian McKellen's performance in the 1930s-set The Critic (#7), he found it improbable, flat, leaden and lacking in humour as well, as too often these days, much too dark.

Steve Caplin explains how patients in rural America can now consult specialists using holographs. There's a less intrusive brain-to-computer interface. Scientists have found a way to help the voiceless speak. A car, unstable at high speeds, can expand its wheels to go faster. A new paint can be peeled off. A novel phone alarm makes sure you get out of bed. People are getting mules to do their exercising for them. And Steve reveals some of the most interesting entries for this years IgNobel Prize.

People who are trapped in a sense of unworthiness may not even realise it, as the mind can accumulate irrefutable evidence for itself to support all sorts of belief systems — what hypnotists describe as cognitive bias. However the trap can be exposed: for instance, in the case of unworthiness by finding it difficult to receive a compliment. Adam Cox helps to unwrap such traps and shows the way to escape their clutches.

It's Pension Awareness Week! Adam Cox is joined by Rebecca O'Connor from PensionBee to discuss new data about pensions. Discussing questions such as do you know how much you have saved so far? And what about the target you should be aiming for to maintain your current lifestyle? https://www.pensionbee.com/uk

The European Central Bank cut rates this week and the Fed is expected to cut rates next week. When money gets cheaper, the party gets started. David Meier and Ricky Mulvey discuss OpenAI’s $50 billion valuation jump in one week, a space SPAC that’s more than 10xed since April 2024, and one of Warren Buffett’s top lieutenants selling $140 million of Berkshire Hathaway stock. Then, 16 minutes in, Asit Sharma joins Ricky to look back on Meta’s turnaround story and what it means for investors today. Companies discussed: MSFT, ASTS, RKLB, BRK.A, BRK.B, META, LE. Host - Ricky Mulvey; Guests - David Meier, Asit Sharma

Normally people love reaching a milestone – but Berkshire Hathaway hitting $1T might’ve triggered a different kind of thinking for Warren Buffett and his lieutenants. Jason Moser and Matt Argersinger discuss the signs execs at Berkshire Hathaway believe the market is rich – Ajit Jain reducing his Berkshire stake, and the company winding down its buyback activity, Brian Niccol’s vision for returning to Starbucks’ roots as a third place and why the market was up on RH’s results, down on Adobe’s outlook, and still hoping a Kroger/Albertson’s deal will go through. Then, 19 minutes in — this week was Apple’s annual product event. Dan Barbera from MacRumors gives the scoop on the latest releases, one way the latest iPhones could fuel Vision Pro adoption, and what to expect from Apple in 2025. Finally, 34 minutes in, Jason and Matt break down two stocks on their radar: Top Golf Callaway and Oxford Industries. Stocks discussed: BRK, SBUX, RH, ADBE, KR, AAPL, DNUT, OXM, MODG. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Jason Moser, Matt Argersinger, Dan Barbera

Do you keep savings in your current account? It’s an easy trap to fall into, with a third of people admitting they do it in a recent poll. If you do keep a savings pot in a bank account you are likely to be missing out on a big chunk of interest you could otherwise earn. But even if they don’t do this, there’s two more mistakes people make — using convenient ‘insult’ accounts with their existing bank that pay pitiful interest and not using a Cash ISA and losing out to tax. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at how to make more of your savings and avoid handing over returns to the bank or taxman. Plus, are you playing into the hands of shoulder surfing fraudsters or phone snatchers, why are more larger detached homes hitting the market and how can you get Steve Webb to answer your pension question on next week’s podcast?

In a House of Lords debate on the continuing conflict in Sudan, Archbishop Justin Welby called for a long-term plan towards peace building. The need for that is just as acute in Ukraine and, using all his considerable skills in reconciliation, he could open the door to a pathway to peace by going to meet Patriarch Kirill in Moscow. Thus far Kirill has given steadfast spiritual support to Putin, but is this in keeping with the Christian faith? How can the clear instruction to 'love your enemies' be reconciled with the continuing devastation and anguish in Ukraine and the abduction of more than 20,000 children? Background music: 'Confliction & Catharsis' by Asher Fulero