Synopsis
News and views on business and the world of personal finance. Plus the very latest from the financial markets around the globe
Episodes
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Bottom of the class
15/10/2025 Duration: 52minAccording to the IMF, the UK is on course to record the highest inflation in the G7 this year. Sean Farrington talks to a senior economist about what this means for the UK economy in the long term and for Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget plans in the short term. And we'll reporting on the latest round of the US China trade war. The US government is bullish, but are US businesses also up for the fight? We hear the views of a US importer. Also, Soho used to be at the heart of the British music industry. But the owner of a legendary Tin Pan Alley recording studio tells us business rates are making her studio unviable against a backdrop of home recording trends.
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AI tied up?
14/10/2025 Duration: 52minAfter the latest mega-deal tying one AI firm to another, Sean Farrington asks what's behind the spending spree. We also hear from a veteran of reconstruction projects on what it will take to rebuild Gaza. Also, the caravans of love. What's driving our continuing passion for caravans and motorhomes?
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Down to earths
13/10/2025 Duration: 53minFelicity Hannah hears the latest developments in the trade war between the US and China, reignited after Beijing imposed a new round of controls on those rare earths and minerals essential to the production of everything from mobile phones to weapons. Also, a new idea to revive the economies of the UK's former industrial heartlands. But will new incentives to save on taxes for companies willing to invest succeed where other initiatives have failed? And, it's no surprise we're a nation of pasta lovers. But are we really going off the humble spaghetto in favour of pappardelle and tortellini? We talk to a pasta maker about the shape of things to come.
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Pre-flight checks
10/10/2025 Duration: 52minFelicity Hannah hears about the EU's new Entry/Exit System, coming in from Sunday. Plus, a look behind the scenes at the London Stock Exchange.
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Crisis of confidence?
09/10/2025 Duration: 52minWake up with Sean Farrington to get all the latest in the world of business. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales says UK business confidence hit its lowest level in three years in the third quarter. The BBC's Business Editor Simon Jack sits down with Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase. And Sean's been speaking to Stephen Critchlow of Evergreen Life, which has been described as the fastest-growing tech company in Britain.
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PCP payouts
08/10/2025 Duration: 52minDetails have been released of how victims of car finance mis-selling will be compensated. It's affecting millions - we crunch the numbers with an automotive finance lawyer. As the EU steel tariff hike threatens the 'biggest ever crisis' for the UK industry, we get reaction from a producer here about how it's set to impact them. And Sean Farrington delves into the etiquette of after work drinks.
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Trade, travel and turmoil
07/10/2025 Duration: 51minFrance in political chaos after its Prime Minister resigns. France has now had 4 Prime Ministers in under a year.. Sir Keir Starmer flies to India for talks on trade with Prime Minister Modi. And why are more people choosing to go on holiday on their own?
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Jaguar Land Rover: the race to restart
06/10/2025 Duration: 52minFelicity Hannah looks at how JLR is preparing to restart car production after a disruptive cyber incident.And 15 years later, Instagram has transformed into a £40 billion advertising giant, now responsible for well over a third of its parent company - how did it get there?
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Swiftenomics
03/10/2025 Duration: 52minFelicity Hannah delves into the Taylor Swift business empire as the superstar launches her latest album.And our Friday panel unpicks the economic events of the week; including the Labour Party conference, the latest at Jaguar Land Rover, and rising energy bills.
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Will Government's Clean Energy plan lead to more skilled UK workers?
02/10/2025 Duration: 52minEd Miliband wants to see more than 800,000 workers employed in the UK's energy industry by 2030. How do Nottingham's pubs get ready for a big night of European football.
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A Bad Wrap?
01/10/2025 Duration: 53minCosts could rise for many producers today as fees for using certain materials in packaging come in - Sean Farrington one snack company about the impact it's having on them.We speak to the UK boss of British American Tobacco, who says there should be more regulation of disposable vapes.And is an optional footwear policy in the workplace a step too far? One boss tells us why she lets her staff kick off their shoes in the office.
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Reeves Speaks
30/09/2025 Duration: 53minAs the Labour Party Conference continues, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves has given her message to the country - and she's also been talking to business leaders. Sean Farrington finds out whether businesses are feeling any renewed confidence.Jaguar Land Rover could be back on the road to normality as it restarts some of its production this week - we hear how suppliers to the company are coping in the ongoing tricky situation.And the biggest private equity deal - one for 55 billion dollars - has been agreed to take the gaming company Electronic Arts private. One former executive speaks to us.
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Conference Calling
29/09/2025 Duration: 50minThe Labour Party conference gets under way in earnest this morning with speeches from the Chancellor as well as a diary full of events on business and the economy. Will Bain speaks to Catherine MacLeod, a former special adviser to the previous Labour chancellor, Alistair Darling, to talk through the challenges ahead.The government has stepped in to protect companies in Jaguar Land Rover's supply chain - we hear from someone close to them about how those businesses feel about it.Plus, new research suggests Oasis fans spent more than Taylor Swift's on their respective UK tours; Brian Cannon, the man behind the band's artwork, tells us what he thinks the appeal is.
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Britain Gets ID'd?
26/09/2025 Duration: 52minThe government wants to introduce compulsory digital IDs for everyone - Felicity Hannah hears from the company behind the system in Estonia that might be a template for Britain's.Once again our expert Friday panel looks back at the week that was for Jaguar Land Rover, AO.com and Northern Powerhouse Rail.Plus, we raise a glass to the Great British Pub of the Year by speaking to its owner.
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What's Raily Happening?
25/09/2025 Duration: 51minThe BBC understands Northern Powerhouse Rail plans have been delayed again - Will Bain asks businesses in the North what it'll mean for them. Plus, the biggest winemaker in the UK scraps plans for a £32 million winery in Kent and the Ryder Cup has been kicked off with an opening ceremony in New York overnight - but are British businesses feeling the benefit?
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Big Boss Interview - John Roberts
24/09/2025 Duration: 53minWe hear from AO.com's founder and chief executive John Roberts. It forms part of the BBC's new Big Boss Interview podcast available on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p016tl04. Also on the programme, as Jaguar Land Rover confirms production in its factories will remain suspended until at least next month, we get reaction from the CEO of The Black Country Chamber of Commerce.
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Matcha on the menu
23/09/2025 Duration: 52minWith the ink almost dry on the US TikTok ownership deal, Sean Farrington talks to a tech investor to find out who the winners and losers are.We hear from the accountancy boss close to Jaguar Land Rover's suppliers in the West Midlands. How long can the firms who work for the stricken car maker last the shutdown. Also, game, tea set and matcha. How a certain, bright-green beverage is taking on the traditional cuppa.
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Gatwick Plans Take Off
22/09/2025 Duration: 53minAs Gatwick gets the green light for a second runway, we explore what the expansion could mean for businesses around the airport.Plus, if your local pub was about to close, would you buy it with other community members? Sean Farrington speaks to someone in Hull who did just that. And 70 years ago today, the UK’s first television advert aired - for toothpaste. We take a look at how the advertising industry has changed since then.
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Like a breeze
19/09/2025 Duration: 52minWith President Trump's visit over, Felicity Hannah unpicks a week of CEOs and deals.Our Friday panel also takes a look at what interest rate decisions on both sides of the Atlantic mean for markets, businesses and households. And with Pets at Home reporting a slide in shares and the departure of its CEO, we consider what lies ahead for Britain’s biggest pet retailer.
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An AI Superpower?
18/09/2025 Duration: 53minWill Bain hears from another one of the tech bosses who've joined President Trump on his state visit - this time Nvidia. Also, as the President is away, we'll check in on the Fed as it lowers the cost of borrowing in the US. Plus, we'll take a deep dive into the financial performance of Manchester United.