Wake Up to Money

After the week where the UK government passes its welfare bill, and US President Donald Trump passes his flagship budget bill, Felicity Hannah speaks to a panel to take apart what it could all mean for the local and global economy.Plus, how much is being spent around the Oasis reunion tour, and on what?

Published: 4 July 2025

Following Rachel Reeves' tearful Commons appearance we assess the market impact it made. Will Bain has more on the government’s long-awaited 10 Year Health Plan. And as drinking becomes more prevalent among Gen Z, we get the thoughts of the co-founder of MOTH cocktails.

Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2025

Sean spoke to Padel boss Sam Kemp from R3 Sports, Women's football consultant Andrea Ekblad and Sportswear CEO Mike Tomkins from M&M Direct.

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2025

A look into the welfare bill vote after the government offered more big concessions. Sean Farrington also delves into the recommendations that have been outlined following a review of the UK pensions system. And as YouTube urges the government to acknowledge content creators as a profession, we'll hear from one YouTuber over the impact its having on her.

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2025

As MPs prepare to vote on the revised welfare bill, we delve into what it means. Sean Farrington also has the latest on the Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire after its owner went into administration. And we look at how live music in brought in 23.5 million music tourists across the country last year, as artists played sold-out shows - resulting in a cash boom to the economy.

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2025

The trade agreement signed two weeks ago by the UK and the US has come into effect. We hear from a UK car manufacturer after tariffs were slashed from 27.5 per cent to 10 per cent. Elsewhere, the number of graduate jobs being advertised on one recruitment website is down more than a quarter over the last year. Sean Farrington delves into why that is. And after thousands descended upon Worthy Farm this weekend to enjoy a jam packed line up at Glastonbury Festival we hear how business was for food vendors.

Transcribed - Published: 30 June 2025

Felicity Hannah explores a new energy scheme to help reduce energy bills for manufactures. Also, why is being single is so expensive? Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Transcribed - Published: 27 June 2025

Felicity Hannah looks at what NATO spending pledges mean for the UK sector and looks ahead to the government's trade strategy. Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Transcribed - Published: 26 June 2025

Sean Farrington talks industrial strategy and innovation with a Midlands-based toy company who've just had a major investment boost. Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2025

Sean speaks to the Prime Minister after the government unveils its industrial strategy and we get the latest from the Middle East. Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2025

Sean Farrington has the latest developments between the US, Israel and Iran, including the potential implications on the price of oil if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz. Also on the programme, a panel of experts from the world of business react to the Industrial Strategy, does it go far enough?

Transcribed - Published: 23 June 2025

Felicity Hannah looks at the government's infrastructure strategy and rounds up the week's business news with her panel of experts. Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Transcribed - Published: 20 June 2025

The government is expected to publish it's 10 year, £700bn Infrastructure Strategy today - what can we expect?

Transcribed - Published: 19 June 2025

The government is set to delay the opening of HS2 without saying for how long. Sean Farrington looks at what this means for the UK rail network.

Transcribed - Published: 18 June 2025

Sean Farrington has the latest as the UK and US sign their tariff deal at the G7 Summit. Plus, how will AI affect the future of work?

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2025

Four days after Israel launched an attack on Iran, the two countries keep exchanging blows. Oil prices jumped as tensions rise in the Middle East. We also hear the latest on the search for the causes of the Air India 787 crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.And some Manchester City fans are taking legal action against the club over a new season-ticket policy they claim is discriminatory under the Equality Act.

Transcribed - Published: 16 June 2025

Felicity Hannah speaks to a jewellery business amid warnings of further tax rises this year. Plus, we'll hear how overtourism can actually be costly for cities.

Transcribed - Published: 13 June 2025

The government's Spending Review has been published and Wake Up to Money has been combing through the detail. Will Bain goes through the highlights with Kevin Brundish, chief executive of the battery scale-up company Lionvolt; Emma Wall, head of platform investments at Hargreaves Lansdown; and Simon French, chief economist at Panmure Liberum.With technology, AI and nuclear energy getting boosts in investment in this spending round, we also hear from former boss of both Rolls Royce and semiconductor design firm ARM, Warren East.Plus, a new report from Deloitte suggests that the English football system is "under strain," even though Europe's 'Big Five' leagues are collectively breaking records. Deloitte Sports Business Group's head of insights, Jennifer Haskel, explains why.

Transcribed - Published: 12 June 2025

We've had announcements on affordable housing, defence, transport and nuclear power from the government, but today we get the full details of the Chancellor's Spending Review - we get into what it could hold? Sean Farrington speaks to expert voices across economics and housing.Trade talks between the US and China continues for a third day in London - we hear from one expert who explains why rare minerals are at the centre of the negotiations.And with exactly one year until the World Cup starts in the US, Canada and Mexico, one tourism boss in California explains about the opportunities - and challenges - associated with promoting the tournament.

Transcribed - Published: 11 June 2025

What does the new nuclear power station mean for the UK?The government has given the go-ahead for the Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station in Suffolk. Sean Farrington asks Tom Greatrex, chair of the Nuclear Industry Association, what that could mean for jobs, power and energy bills in the UK.A group of Thames Water lenders have put forward a new plan for the water company, just as MPs ask questions about payments to senior management there. Wake Up to Money speak to the chair of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, Alistair Carmichael.Plus, after the Prime Minister Keir Starmer attempts to woo tech giant Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang, we find out how much potential lies ahead for AI in UK business.

Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2025

How much of government spending goes on health? How big a slice of the pie does defence get? To get a feel for what takes up most of the spending, Sean Farrington looks at each government department in turn, dividing up the programme using the same proportions as the spending budget itself.

Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2025

Tensions rise between Elon Musk and Donal Trump, Felicity Hannah takes a look at how it's impacting Tesla stocks. And the UK is cracking down on 'finfluencers'.

Transcribed - Published: 6 June 2025

Barclays looks back at 10 years of spending habits, Will Bain finds out where your spare cash goes. And despite avoiding a 25% tariff, steel leaders say they’re still worried.

Transcribed - Published: 5 June 2025

Sean Farrington brings fresh reaction to Trump's U-turn on UK steel & aluminium imports. And with just a week to go before the Chancellor presents her Spending Review to Parliament, we look at the impact that could have on the NHS. Plus, hours before the launch of Nintendo's new Switch 2 console, we discuss the hype surrounding it.

Transcribed - Published: 4 June 2025

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced an overhaul of the U.K.'s defence spending. And fashion powerhouse Christian Dior gets a new boss who hails from Northern Ireland..

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025

Sean Farrington brings you reaction as the government unveils its major defence review. As part of it The UK will build up to 12 new attack submarines. We also bring you the latest on the Polish election. And we react to it now being officially illegal for businesses to sell or supply single-use vapes.

Transcribed - Published: 2 June 2025

Will Bain hears the latest after courts cast doubt over the President's trade war.With judges questioning the legality of Donald Trump's tariffs, our panel of economists, lawyers and business people discuss what next for US trade policy.

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2025

Will Bain hears how one of the world's biggest companies is performing and asks how changes to 'deminimis' rules have affected businesses like Temu.

Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2025

Sean Farrington speaks to a security firm after we hear the latest updates on the Liverpool parade. We hear from a managing director of a construction and property development company in light of the government's recent proposals around housing. And after record breaking sales over the weekend, what's behind the success of the recent films at the box office?

Transcribed - Published: 28 May 2025

Wake Up to Money carries the latest updates on the Liverpool parade.Also, a discussion with a major sausage producer and a beef farmer about food price inflation reaching its highest in a year, and a look at the tax and spending options the chancellor has in the UK government's upcoming spending review.

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2025

Sean Farrington hears from a holiday letting firm how AI is transforming the way people plan their holidays. And South Western Railway has become the first rail company to return to public ownership since the Labour government took office last year. Is the government on track for its rail renationalisation plan?

Transcribed - Published: 26 May 2025

Felicity Hannah finds out what's making UK manufacturers feel so gloomy about business. Also, she delves into issues of migration and inflation and that deal between the EU and the UK, all with the help of her Friday panel of experts. And why wedding bells in Ireland are ringing in the tills.

Transcribed - Published: 23 May 2025

Will Bain hears what it means as more pensioners to get the winter fuel payment in a surprise move by the government. And the M&S cyber attack could cost the company £300 million.

Transcribed - Published: 22 May 2025

Sean Farrington has the latest on the fallout from cyber attacks targeting the food chain. Plus, we'll find out why some workers don't want to go back into the office full-time.

Transcribed - Published: 21 May 2025

Sean Farrington finds out about the latest in a series of hacks targeting the food chain. He also asks how much the UK will benefit from a new EU-UK trade agreement.

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2025

Sean Farrington has the latest ahead of the UK's first summit with the EU since Brexit. And we hear from an M&S supplier about supply chain challenges following its cyber attack

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2025

Felicity Hannah dissects the week in business with her Friday panel, looking at the UK's GDP growing better than expected, and US retail chain Walmart are raising their prices to mitigate tariffs. We also hear from a business booming because of Eurovision (and their karaoke).

Transcribed - Published: 16 May 2025

The government delivers a strategic steer to competition watchdog CMA, as the Institute for Public Policy Research calls for the regulator to have stronger powers to drive growth. And Goodison Park will now be home to Everton's Women Super League side, what does this mean for the game?

Transcribed - Published: 15 May 2025

US President Donald Trump signs an arms deal with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. What does this mean for the region? And one of the UK's biggest retailers tells the BBC they wear trainers to meetings. Comfy or too casual?

Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2025

Trump reaches a deal with China and the markets breathe a sigh of relief. Will it last? Plus, Sean Farrington speaks to a movie industry player about this year's Cannes festival.

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2025

Sean Farrington hears from a care home owner what a visa ban will mean to his company. And the latest from the China-US trade talks. Will it be back to business as usual?

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2025

The UK and US have agreed on a major new trade deal with tariffs slashed on steel, aluminium and cars. And a new era begins at Reading FC as the club gets a new leader.

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2025

Will Bain reacts to The Federal Reserve keeping interest rates on hold in the US. We also look into why Energy giant Orsted has discontinued plans to continue working on one of the UK’s largest offshore windfarms in the North East. And we meet the manager of one pub selling off VE Day Pints for just 7p - the equivalent of what they'd have cost 80 years ago.

Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2025

Sean Farrington's joined by the founder & chief exec of Fundsmith to talk Warren Buffet. And after India agrees a trade agreement with the UK we find out just what that means. Plus - has Marks lost its 'Spark'?! More than two weeks after that major cyber attack Wake Up To Money looks at what that means for the brand's reputation.

Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2025

Sean Farrington looks into what impact Trump's latest tariff announcement could have. And after OpenAI ditches its plan to convert to a for-profit business, Wake Up To Money digs into the reason behind that decision. We also hear from one UK business on why they won't be using AI in their workplace - and why.

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025

As Microsoft shuts down Skype, Sean Farrington reflects on the internet calling service. And we hear all about Saudi Arabia's involvement in boxing. Plus, following Warren Buffett's announcement that he'll retire as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, Wake Up To Money gets the thoughts of former Unilever boss Paul Polman.

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025

Felicity Hannah dissects the week in business with her regular Friday panel and chats to a 93-year-old shop worker. Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2025

Will Bain looks at the US economy and asks how tariffs are affecting American ports. Plus, we hear from a Marks and Spencer supplier. Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2025

Sean Farrington gets the latest from the US as President Trump passes 100 days in office. We look at M&S and ask whether cash is king? Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Transcribed - Published: 30 April 2025

Sean Farrington has the latest on widespread blackouts on the continent.Elsewhere, Indian and UK trade talks are set to continue today; and we hear from a restaurant about dealing with a delivery culture.

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025