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Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the ramifications of Dame Alison Rose resigning as head of Natwest. Did she have to go and should the government have intervened? What are the ramifications of banks debanking customers whose views they don't like? Mike looks at the three by-election results, which show rather more than simply an all-score draw for the three main parties. He also reflects on Labour dropping its pledge on trans self-ID and considers briefly the effect that social media is having on effective politics.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University thinks the PM and other politicians should avoid playing the central planner and let the increasingly dynamic education market decide which degrees are worthwhile. He feels it obvious that Britain must adopt Small Modular Reactors but wonders if politicians have the guts in the face of vocal opposition. And he is gravely concerned about the threat to free speech if banks are allowed to cancel the accounts of those whose views they disagree with.

Andrew Keen of Edison Group discusses energy transition. With the oil and gas companies in long-term structural decline, wind and solar will be the big growth areas while the materials needed are a fascinating area with not enough investment focus. He discusses the trends and some of the problems. However, he points out that it is a complex field and British investors are fortunate that investment trusts can offer a sensible route in, with the fund managers doing the hard work on research.

Steve Caplin on the latest tech news. There's Twitter rebranding, scientists working out how to reverse ageing and ward off dementia and Parkinson's, the Australian military investing in computer-capable brain cells, injured knee tendons being replaced with those from kangaroos, DNA storing data with a biological camera, a relatively inexpensive robot dog that lacks cuddliness and a crowd-funded e-scooter with a more comfortable riding position.

This episode originated from a woman being informed, after the event, that a scan during pregnancy carried a very low possibility (1:54,000) of increased risk of cancer for her or her unborn child. The mind often finds it difficult to cope with situations like these, and intrusive, compulsive negative imagination can take over. Adam Cox seeks to put these thoughts into perspective, encouraging a more positive view of present and future while accepting that what's done is done. If something irrational is gnawing away inside you about something that's happened or that you've heard, this episode could be of some help.

The semiconductor industry may have hit bottom based on some recent earnings, but is it only up from here? Tim Beyers and Deidre Woollard discuss the challenges with standing up semiconductor factories in the U.S., the different types of chips Taiwan Semiconductor produces and what companies use them, and the restrictions that impact ASML. Plus, 18 minutes in, Kirsten Guerra and Deidre Woollard explore what solar inverters do and which companies are profiting from this growing niche. Companies discussed: ASML, TSM, NVDA, AAPL, ENPH, SEDG. Host - Deidre Woollard; Guests - Tim Beyers, Kirsten Guerra

When Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, some investors thought Charles Schwab could be next. But, the bank with $8 trillion in client assets is proving to be resilient. Ricky Mulvey and Asit Sharma discuss Schwab’s cash sorting problem, take-aways from bank earnings, and a deadline for the Microsoft/Activision deal whooshing by. Plus, 11 minutes in, Robert Brokamp answers listener questions about 529 plans, target-date funds, and investing in a 401(k). Companies discussed: SCHW, MS, PNC, BAC, MSFT, ATVI. Host - Ricky Mulvey; Guests - Asit Sharma, Robert Brokamp

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is looking for more risk to be taken in pensions - is this right? And should they not first sort out the estimated ten million errors in state pension records? Meanwhile one million people will be paying an additional £5,000 per annum on mortgage payments: could the Bank of England have done more? And finally - would Britain be safer if only women were allowed to drive?

Earlier in the week, the consumer prices index measure of inflation fell by more than expected thanks to a fall in transport and food prices. It eased to 7.9% in June, a bigger drop than expected, according to the Office for National Statistics. This was the lowest CPI rate since March 2022 when inflationary pressures began to amplify the headline figure. So what does that mean for the typical household and for potential future base rate rises? Lee Boyce, Sam Barker and Georgie Frost delve into CPI and what that means for mortgages and savers. And on the note of savers, two pieces of data this week point to a mixed picture for our financial resilience. On one hand, a survey suggests one in three people do not have enough savings for an emergency - and on the other, that a third of savers are earning 1% or less, and for some that's on five figure pots. If inflation does stay sticky, pensioners could see a big rise in in the state pension - if politicians keep the 'triple lock' pledge. Data suggests that by 2030, the annual state pension figure is likely to be between £13,000 and £14,000. Before you head off on holiday, we reveal the cruel new scams you need to know about. And… bitcoin to surge to $120,000 by the end of 2024 according to one major bank. How likely is that and why does one expert think it's nonsense.

In mid-2022 there were 716,000 people economically inactive in the United Kingdom because of mental health and neurological conditions, including depression, nerves, anxiety and autistic spectrum disorders: an increase of 33% from 2019. 196,000 of these people were aged 16-34. Part of the explanation is the scar left behind from the pandemic. But that in itself points to a malaise which is rooted in loneliness and self-orientation. Technology is no substitute for human conversation: no amount of social media, text messaging or conversations with Alexa can replicate it. Background music: 'Digital Solitude' by Silent Partner