Wake Up to Money

Will Bain looks at how the US–Israel conflict with Iran is affecting people at home. He examines the latest movements in the energy markets and assesses what rising fuel prices mean for hauliers. We also hear from a media analyst on the reaction to the UK version of Saturday Night Live.

Felicity Hannah learns how surging gas prices are impacting energy intensive businesses in the wake of the US-Israel war with Iran. In the wake of a big week for the UK economy we are joined by the Friday panel to discuss the weeks events. And as millions of Muslims mark Eid al-Fitr we'll speak to a business owner behind a London markets celebration of the end of Ramadan.

The world's biggest facility for producing liquified natural gas in Qatar has been hit by Iranian strikes - Sean Farrington looks at how much it could drive up oil and gas prices.The government launches its strategy for the UK steel industry today - one producer in Cardiff tells Wake Up to Money how it looks from their perspective.And could ube, a sweet purple yam popular in the Philippines, be the biggest viral food craze since matcha?

The country's regional leaders could get a bigger say over what to do with money from central government - Sean Farrington hears what that and some new funding could do for parts of Britain outside London.The meningitis outbreak in Kent has seen pharmacies overwhelmed with demand for vaccines and advice, according to the National Pharmacies Association. Its boss speaks to Wake Up to Money.And as Disney's twice-chief executive Bob Iger makes way for a new successor, we'll find out what that could mean for the global entertainment company.

The cost of fixing potholes in England and Wales has risen to a record £18.6 billion - Sean Farrington hears from a mechanic who's seeing the damage to cars by bad roads.The latest on Iran as we get it.And sales of suits and ties are up on the year at the retailer John Lewis - has the casualness of the pandemic come to an end?

What can the world do to get oil and gas flowing again from the conflict-ridden Gulf? Will Bain discusses plans and prices with an oil industry expert. And we hear from a petrol station manager on what's really going on with fuel prices on the forecourt. Also, we'll be gatecrashing a Hollywood party to bring you the latest from this year's Oscars ceremony.

In a week that's seen the price of oil on a rollercoaster and Iran's new leader says it plans to keep a key shipping route effectively closed, Will Bain is joined by an expert panel to pick over what the consequences could be - and for how long.The boss of Eurostar has called on the government to move quickly on a plan that would accommodate trains for both her company and Virgin at London's Temple Mill depot. Eurostar's chief executive Gwendoline Cazanave speaks to Wake Up to Money.Plus, with Mothering Sunday just two days away, WUTM hears from one grower who's moving half a million flowers a day this week.

Sean Farrington hears about the IEA's release of 400 million barrels of oil reserves. Elsewhere, Sean discusses the largest withdrawal of mortgage products since Liz Truss' mini-Budget, and staff at John Lewis await an update on the reinstatement of their annual bonus payments.

Sean Farrington gets the latest on events in the Middle East and hears from the owner of a barber shop destroyed by the Glasgow fire.

Sean Farrington has the latest on market movements after a shift in the President's tone. And the Government finishes consulting on what it has called the biggest reform to the planning rules in a decade.

Felicity Hannah hears how surging oil and gas prices could affect the global economy, and how energy suppliers are positioned to deal with market volatility.

Felicity Hannah hears from the second-hand-clothes supplier behind Beyond Retro on why he believes a customs loophole for cheap international goods needs to be closed. And one week in, our panel of experts breaks down how the US-Israel war with Iran is affecting the UK and global economy. Also, we talk to the producer of the opening ceremony for the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympic games.

Sean Farrington hears from experts on how the US-Israeli war could hit UK electricity prices and speaks with travellers who have been stuck in Dubai. Elsewhere, we speak with the boss of Holland and Barrett about why the company has changed more than half of its range of wellness products in the last two years.

Sean Farrington examines how the US-Israeli war with Iran is hitting the UK economy, from the FTSE 100 to the pound.And we also hear from some of the 250 thousand British expats in the UAE about their experience of the conflict – and whether it has changed their minds about life in the region.Elsewhere, we digest the chancellor's much-downplayed spring statement.

Sean Farrington examines how the US-Israeli war on Iran is impacting business globally and at home.With a slate of experts, he'll take a look at how the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will impact global shipping, oil prices and logisticsElsewhere, he'll hear from those trying to do business in the Middle East and will find out how the Iranian economy has fared in recent months.Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Will Bain gets all the reaction to the US-Israeli operation against Iran. He'll hear from people across the region and also ask what this might mean for global trade and oil supplies.Elsewhere, we'll look ahead to the upcoming Spring statement get the low‑down on a newcomer to the boxing world who's aiming to take on some of the industry's biggest promoters.

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.