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Is it time to admit that 'free banking' doesn't really exist, and to start paying for our accounts? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Helen Crane discuss this, plus: the plans which wise parents are making to deal with the prospect of VAT on private school fees, if Labour wins the next election, and how to find a trustworthy adviser. Also — Helen Crane investigates a car sold with a significant fault.

AI has been a boon for Oracle’s cloud business, but it’s also creating a lot of questions for Adobe. Andy Cross and Matt Argersinger discuss the National Association of Realtors agreeing to over $400M in fines and to eliminate its commission rules, why AI is pushing Oracle up and Adobe down after earnings, and the numbers behind Williams-Sonoma’s 18% spike, Kevin Plank’s return to Under Armour, and Ulta’s wild shrink story. Then, 19 minutes in, Motley Fool Money’s Ricky Mulvey catches up with Bloomberg entertainment reporter Lucas Shaw, for a look into the business of streaming, the power of incentives, and corporate infighting at Paramount. Finally, 34 minutes in, Andy and Matt break down two stocks on their radar: Equity Commonwealth and Landstar Systems. Stocks discussed: RDFN, Z, ADBE, ORCL, WSM, UA, UAA, ULTA, LSTR, EQC. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Andy Cross, Matt Argersinger, Ricky Mulvey, Lucas Shaw

Stem CEO John Carrington is full speed ahead on the clean energy transformation. Jason Moser and Deidre Woollard discuss Don Julio’s Oscars moment, if Oscar buzz is still powerful for movie makers, and how Reddit is more like X than Pinterest. Then, 16 minutes in, Ricky Mulvey interviews John Carrington, CEO of energy solutions company Stem on the company’s business model and path to operating profitability. Companies discussed: DIS, PINS, SNAP, META, STEM. Host - Deidre Woollard; Guests - John Carrington, Jason Moser, Ricky Mulvey

Adam Cox is joined by Gemma Bourne from Big Society Capital to discuss why the government should reallocate a larger proportion of its existing spend to further scale initiatives that tackle the UK's homelessness and temporary accommodation crisis. With new research showing that these house funds are already having a major impact, it could help us combat homelessness. https://bigsocietycapital.com/

We all contain a wide variety of characteristics and capabilities, and weaknesses. The metaphor of a bungalow is used here to sort them into different scales of usage: the ground floor containing those in everyday use, less frequently used ones in the basement, and a motley collection of those we'd rather not admit to stored in the bunker. Adam Cox uses ego-state therapy to help us make peace between these disassociated parts so that they don't catch us unawares.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University assesses the report of The Commission on the Centre of Government and its main proposals. To him, its suggestions point to running things more in the way a business is managed, with proper budgets for projects and making ministers accountable. He looks at why so many people in the UK aren't working, the effects of Covid, high taxes and healthcare problems. And he believes that the PM's U-turn on gas plants recognises that wind and solar can't do it all. But, on the horizon, nuclear fusion suddenly looks an imminent reality, which will have profound implications, not just for energy but also for geopolitics.

James Cameron-Wilson reports on box office down 29% with Dune 2 now up to £19.3m at #1. At #5 is horror film Imaginary, which James found boring, bloated, clichéd and not particularly scary. He hoped for better from the philosophical sci-fi drama Spaceman on Netflix. However, despite Paul Dano and Carey Mulligan, it proved one of the weirdest films he had seen for a long time and suffered from the miscasting of Adam Sandler in the main role. He was far happier with the Oscars, which he felt were wonderfully hosted and both entertaining and compelling, even if he did – for once – get one of his main predictions wrong.

Steve Caplin and Simon Rose marvel at new search engine Perplexity which they both feel knocks Google for six in its usefulness. You can try it at Perplexity.ai for free on the web and through apps. Google have other problems too, with their new campus a wifi black spot. A helium balloon could be the answer if you're lost in the wilderness. A watch could show you your actual blood flow. Bionic eyes could be powered by solar panels on the iris. A replica of the Titanic is due to sail in 2027. And there's a sweet crowdfunded robot powered by your smartphone.

Russ Mould looks at the bid activity in the UK market with an increased bid for Direct Line and the offer for Curry's being withdrawn. The forty-plus bids last year returned about 1.5% to investors, making a total yield with cashbacks and dividends of over 7%. Should investors look for stocks that might receive a bid or should they heed the words of Warren Buffett? And if so many predators see value in the UK stock market, why aren't international investors buying?

Jeremy Hunt's focus on young working people, by making a further significant reduction in employees' NI, is welcome; but his overall strategy is cloaked in disguise. As Michael Gove made clear in February, young people need direct economic encouragement: for example, the omission of any mention of unclaimed adult-owned CTFs indicates more of a studied indifference from HM Treasury. Background music: 'Hidden Agenda' by Kevin MacLeod - http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200102