Wake Up to Money

Will Bain gets the latest from the Gorton and Denton by-election and hears about the build-up to the first ever BRIT Awards to be held in Manchester.

Sean Farrington looks into the prospect of robotaxis coming to the streets of London. We also hear from the UK boss of Volvo on what's next after more than 10,000 cars were recalled over a fire risk. And as the UK's first geothermal power plant is switched on in Cornwall, we hear from the man who runs it.

Sean Farrington speaks to an investor and a cab driver about a major funding round for a British autonomous vehicles company, which could be carrying passengers on London's streets this year. And he discusses the significance of Trump's State of the Union address with finance and trade experts.

Sean Farrington reacts to the latest milestone in the Warner Bros mega deal. We reflect on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion on Ukraine. As the British Retail Consortium's latest retail crime report's released, we speak to a shopkeeper on the frontline. And we hear from the president of the National Farmers' Union as they kick off their annual conference.

Felicity Hannah gets to the bottom of President Trump's new global tariffs. What will this mean for businesses and consumers in the US and elsewhere? We assess the fallout with a US business owner and an economist. And we find out why the warehouse and logistics sector is experiencing a fall in recruitment Also, we speak to one of the big homegrown UK winners at the Bafta awards to hear about what it takes to make a film in the UK.

Will Bain hears how thousands of investors risk losing their money if BrewDog is sold. The Scottish craft beer giant is up for sale after five consecutive years of losses.With half-term week coming to an end, we'll be hearing from an independent cinema in Newcastle on whether the school holidays have provided the trade boost they hoped for.And our Friday panel will be summing up the week, from the unemployment figures to how the winter weather has wreaked havoc with Britain's agriculture sector.

Will Bain hears from the designer shaking up London Fashion Week by turning the humble shopping trolley into something chic. We'll also look to the US, where Meta's owner has been in court for a landmark civil trial examining the impact of social media on young people, with reaction from an investor in Silicon Valley. And we'll bring you the latest from New Delhi as tech bosses and world leaders gather for The Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit 2026.

Will Bain has the latest on another twist in the takeover tale of Warner Bros Discovery as talks with Paramount Skydance reopen. The boss of the UK's largest commercial property company Landsec tells us he is more confident about shopping centres than any other part of his business. Plus Carling's iconic Black Label brand is set for a UK revival.

Will Bain checks in with a UK house builder to see if we are building quickly enough to meet the government target of 1.5 million homes to be built over the next decade. Also we will be hearing from a UK chocolate maker on how they will adapt as the price of cocoa drops due to oversupply. Elsewhere we will hear about the Lunar New Year economy as we welcome the year of the Fire Horse.

Leanna Byrne finds out about the latest government online safety powers designed to keep children safe from illegal content created by AI. We hear from a tech journalist on what the measures will mean in practice. Also, farmers are facing bad weather and falling milk prices. We hear from the farming community on the toll it's all taking on their businesses. Elsewhere, we bring you the latest on the civil service pension scheme and hear what Royal Mail staff told the BBC about the service they deliver.

Theo Leggett has the latest as AI doubts continue to rumble around markets. Our Friday panel digests a slightly soggy growth reading to end 2025 and a week of political turbulence. We also take a closer look at a US company's swoop for one of the City's oldest names and how supermarkets look to get Valentine's Day right.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has outlined her intentions bring down barriers to closer integration with the EU's defence industry - with an eye on its huge spending plans. We speak to the UK industry's trade body to discover what's at stake. And ahead of the publication of the UK's GDP figures for the end of last year, we speak to a businesswoman and a finance expert to hear their thoughts on what the economy needs to grow. Also, musical Billy Elliot is going on tour, more than 20 years after it left the West End. We'll be finding out why shows like this are so important to keep the arts alive outside London.

Small businesses are experiencing pressures unseen since the pandemic and the hospitality business is also finding trading tough. Sean Farrington speaks to owners from both sectors to find out why. And we'll finding out more about the latest streamer to land on these shores. What can HBO Max add to our viewing?

Sean Farrington speaks with three Manchester business leaders - Laurence Newman of Beauty Tech Group, Shaun Morton of On The Beach, and Emma Thackray of Hip Pop - to discuss why the region is growing faster than the rest of the country.

Sean Farrington weighs up prime minister Keir Starmer's record on the economy - after a nerve-wracking start to the week for the PM. Elsewhere, three Manchester entrepreneurs tell us why they think business is booming in the city. And as Britain chases its first medal, we hear from the Scottish business that manufactures curling stones for the Winter Olympics.

Leanna Byrne finds out how the Japanese economy will fare under PM Sanae Takaichi after her resounding victory in the weekend's snap election. And we get the latest snapshot of the UK's employment figures. Also, what does it take to fill the half-time advertising slot during the US's biggest sporting event? We touchdown with the creative mind behind one of this year's Superbowl ads.

What does success in the Winter Olympics mean for the popularity of the sports in the UK? Will Bain talks to the director of British curling and the managing director of some the country's biggest winter sports venues. We'll also be hearing from the creative director of the opening ceremony in Milan. And it's a hold on UK interest rates and jitters in the US stock markets over AI. Will Bain discusses what it all means on both sides of the Atlantic with our regular Friday panel.

Sean Farrington hears about why some pharmacies are reducing their opening hours. Elsewhere, nearly half of zoos have reported financial struggles since 2022, and we look ahead to the Bank of England's latest rates decision.

As Disney chooses its next CEO, Sean learns what the appointment suggests about the company's focus. Plus, there's more on Elon Musk's mega-merger, and Sean asks what's behind Gen Z's craving for cottage cheese.

Sean Farrington reacts to Elon Musk's merger of Space-X and xAI - making it the most valuable private company ever.And, as the government tackles forever chemicals linked to harm to the environment and human health - Sean Farrington speaks to an outdoor clothing brand that's already developing alternatives.And we discuss the future of Disney as its veteran CEO prepares to leave the entertainment giant.Three coins in the fountain? Why you may need four or five coins in your pocket the next time you visit Rome's world-famous landmark.

Felicity Hannah hears how rising energy prices are affecting the cost of growing fruit and vegetables. And what President Trump's pick for chair of the Federal Reserve could mean for the global economy. Over in Los Angeles, we'll be getting reaction to this year's Grammy Awards. Is the annual music business bash as important to the industry as it once was?

Felicity Hannah rounds up a week in business news that saw the PM travel to China and most of the world's biggest companies revealed their first quarter performance. She also hears from a shoemaker in Leicester who's family business is on the brink, despite their products being worn by the Royals.And she gets some advice for those about to submit their self-assessment tax return ahead of Saturday's deadline.Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Felicity Hannah discusses rising water bills, and the FCA's new fraud-checker. Further from home, Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets President Xi Jinping in China.

Will Bain looks at a long-awaited support package for English pubs. Elsewhere, Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits China, and we hear about financial issues in the world of rugby.

Will Bain takes a look at poverty rates in the UK. Elsewhere, a pub landlord discusses the cost of screening live sports, and we speak to a business helping schools to manage phone use in the classroom.

With demand for rare earths at an unprecedented high, Will Bain speaks to the boss of a UK company which is recycling magnets for the elements contained inside. Also, we hear from a pub boss waiting to learn from the government what help with business rates looks like. And the Sundance film festival, the US's biggest independent movie get-together, is currently happening in Utah. We speak to British producers and cinema bosses about the enduring appeal of the festival.

What does the lifting of the latest threat of tariffs on US imports mean to one our most lucrative exports to the States. Leanne Byrne speaks to a whisky producer. And, we'll be going over the extraordinary turn of events at the World Economic Forum with our regular Friday panel of business and economic experts. What now for trade relations between the EU and the US? And we'll be delving into the runaway success of The Traitors and finding out why some venues are so excited by the final, they're throwing a party.

As Trump backs down on imposing tariffs, we look into the 'framework of a future deal'. Will Bain also looks into why more electricity was generated by wind and solar farms last year than fossil fuels. And we take a look at a new football report, which says commercial revenue - including official merchandise -remains the biggest source of income overall for the top 20 clubs.

As Trump heads to Davos, we look into the looming trade war between the US and Europe. Reaction to Netflix reporting their Q4 earnings, and we'll be getting to the bottom of the crisis in the UK's music scene. Why are so many smaller venues struggling to survive?

A year since Donald Trump returned to the White House. How has the US economy fared? Will Bain also lifts the drain cover on the Government's plans for a new water regulator. And the the boss of shoe and handbag maker Kurt Geiger talks education.

Will Bain discusses the reaction from European leaders after US president Donald Trump vowed to impose a 10% levy on goods imported from eight European nations, including the UK, until a deal was reached over the future of Greenland.Plus, Will finds out what's on the agenda at this week's World Economic Forum in Davos, and discusses the many ways weight loss drugs are changing the food industry.

John Vincent of fast food chain Leon tells Will Bain what he sees in the future of the business - including how he thinks weight-loss jabs will be good for the company.Our weekly panel looks back at a week of news that's included announcements on rail in the north of England, another government policy U-turn and charges against the chair of the US central bank.And interest in going vegan for the month of January could be fading - one plant-based food producer tells us why they've moved on from the campaign.

Will Bain gets the latest on South East Water as the Government asks for an Ofwat review.Elsewhere, the Government's latest renewable energy auction round attracts significant investment and Wikipedia turns 25.

Will Bain looks at the Government's plan for the Northern Powerhouse Rail project.Elsewhere, we take a look at the US economy, in light of new inflation figures and the ongoing probe into the Chair of the US Central Bank. We will also hear about the Scottish Budget and the return of KPop group BTS.

Will Bain takes a look at how a probe into the US central bank might unfold.Elsewhere, new figures shed light on a tricky Christmas for retailers and Royal Mail looks to get in on the Stranger Things excitement.

As geopolitics continues to dominate early 2026, Felicity Hannah has the latest on events around Greenland and Iran.Closer to home, we take a look at jobs market, consumer credit card debt, and speak to one of the businesses that's been handling the impact of Storm Goretti over the weekend.

Government backtracks on a planned pub business rates rise after industry backlash. Our Friday panel unpacks this latest government U-turn along with the big stories from this week.Plus, January is traditionally the most popular month for holiday bookings. We speak to one of the UK's leading independent travel agents to find out where's hot and where's not in 2026.

Sean Farrington brings you the latest news and insight from the business world.He'll find out how markets are reacting to the possibility of more global instability after the United States seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the AtlanticAnd as Warner Brothers tells it's shareholders to reject Paramount's 'inferior" deal - Sean checks in on where this blockbuster saga goes next.Elsewhere, he'll find out what a surplus of milk has done to prices - and find out from producers about what those squeezed margins could mean.And he'll look back at another retro favourite - this time Gola trainers, the 120 year old British sports brand that's just been sold to Japanese owners.Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Sean Farrington talks to a former postmaster for his thoughts on Horizon computer boss's appearance before MPs yesterday. Why won't Fujitsu say how much they'll contribute to the Post Office redress scheme? South East Water was also in front of MP's yesterday following a water outage in Tunbridge Wells which left thousands of homes without drinking water. We check back in with a business owner whose bar was left high and dry. And, the physical music market continued its resurgence in 2025. We talk to one of the UK's only cassette shops, to see what they think of the comeback.

News and insight from the business world. Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

The US has pledged billions of dollars to revive Venezuela's ailing oil industry, but what do the experts think of the plan's chances of success? Plus, Will Bain finds out what impact a junk-food TV advertising ban will have on the food industry. And, it's time to start that gym membership, but will you stay the course? We hear from a gym owner about their busy time of the year.

Leanna Byrne looks at what's in store for the UK's economy in 2026 and asks what the next 12 months might bring for London's financial markets.Elsewhere - she'll hear from a tech boss about where AI development will go after last year, where the technology went mainstream.And one pub owner tells us why they're not looking forward to 'Dry January'.Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.