Podcast appearances and mentions of laura whitcombe

There's an increased focus on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, and we get reaction from Giles Dickson, chief executive of the group Wind Europe. The BBC's Adrienne Murray reports on a scheme to boost North Sea wind energy production. And we hear from Anna Borg, chief executive of Swedish state owned energy company Vattenfall, which is already investing in North Sea wind projects. Also in the programme, a judge in California has thrown out legislation that required publicly listed companies to ensure a certain level of female representation on their boards. We find out more from Laura Whitcombe, global campaign manager of the 30% Club, which campaigns for more gender diversity in companies. Plus, the BBC's Mariko Oi meets some of the young people choosing to engage in high risk cryptocurrency markets. Today's edition is presented by Sasha Twining, and produced by Faarea Masud, Sarah Hawkins and Elizabeth Hotson.

Have you ever dreamed of retiring early, or at least choosing to work on your own terms? There is a niche but growing movement that’s all about financial independence - it’s not necessarily about stopping work completely, but it is about having the choice to do so. So, could you achieve financial independence, how hard would it be and how long would it take? And why would you even want to retire early? On this week’s This is Money podcast, Simon Lambert, Laura Whitcombe and Georgie Frost stick it to The Man and dive into financial independence. They look at a reader’s question on whether he could reinvest profits from his business and property to retire by 50. They also discuss just how much of your income you might need to save to get there and whether that sacrifice is worth it. Also on the show: • How to invest your pension in retirement • We ask NatWest about its dreadful savings rate • The good news on savings rates that are rising And finally, as the UK’s worst places for using a mobile have been revealed, how can you avoid becoming someone who has to lean out the window to call people? Enjoy.

Forget coughing fits, pranksters and tumbling letters for a minute. Along with a car crash speech for Theresa May, the Tory party conference also brought a few policies that might make a difference to our financial lives. Student fees, housebuilding and an energy price cap all came up on the agenda. But was this just tinkering around the edges, or a solid plan to improve three highly controversial areas? Last week, the This is Money Podcast asked what Labour would do to the UK economy and your finances, so this week it seems only fair to ask the question of the Conservatives. Listen to the podcast to join Simon Lambert, Laura Whitcombe and Georgie Frost on a tour through those Tory policies – and whether they have any chance of working – alongside the rest of the money news you need to know about this week. Also on the agenda this week, we talk pensions, discussing why a reader’s state pension has been cut even for the years they were contracted in and whether we need to be worried about final salary schemes paying out what they are meant to. 'Open banking' and whether banks should be allowed to scan your spending habits to then alert you to better deals is also discussed, along with the things you should avoid doing to your home if you ever want to sell it. And finally, in some breaking news we bring you the information you’ve all been waiting for. How much did the top new £10 note sell for at the Bank of England auction? Was it £700, £3,400, or £7,200? Enjoy.

Andy spoke to guests at the 2017 Headlinemoney awards ceremony including Laura Whitcombe, Lotty Burns, Damien Fahy, Faith Archer, Rita Lobo, Lynn James and Bronni Hughes. You'll also be able to find out how Andy and his blog Be Clever With Your Cash did in the Financial Blog of the Year category.

This week might go down as the one Chancellor George Osborne got found out. It’s not the first time one of his Budgets turned into a fiasco, but this time his U-turn – on slashing payments to disabled people - is going to cost £4bn. When Parliament convened to discuss how on earth this was going to be paid for, he didn’t show up. And we’re still without an explanation. We pay our taxes to enjoy a better life in a civilised society – not to allow politicians to play games of political manoeuvring. George forgot that. Taxes should be simple. George forgot that. There were other unfunded tax giveaways in the 2016 Budget all of which appear to rely on tax receipts from a booming economy. But our economy isn’t booming. The latest round of economic data shows that. Growth forecasts are down, Government borrowing is soaring, homes are unaffordable. Luckily This is Money editor Simon Lambert, product and knowledge editor Laura Whitcombe and Share Radio’s money wizard Georgie Frost are on hand to explain the economics in an entertaining way. Also on the show… Capital gains tax just got more complicated. The ‘living’ wage – more complicated And finally… Do not miss the craziest item on financial radio: the famous Easter taste test. Live on air we try to work out which own-brand supermarket hot cross buns and Easter eggs are worth a piece of your disposable income. Will Tesco triumph and Waitrose end up in the bin again? Not a lot of people do this.

Is this the best financial product ever? From a saver's point of view the Help to Buy Isa may just be that. Much of the work at This is Money involves uncovering bad behaviour at banks and other providers of financial products. Anyone would think bankers had no morals. Of course, we also work hard to praise the good stuff. One banker this week, claims a product has been launched that has no downside. Really? Is there finally something too good to be true that is actually true? Editor Simon Lambert and This is Money’s money product expert Laura Whitcombe pore over the new help-to-buy Isa that hands free money to first time buyers. But what’s the catch? Also on the show… It’s going to get tough for home owners for all sorts of reasons. It’s already getting tough for buy-to-letters – but is that such a bad thing? What’s the matter with people and their unhealthy relationship with credit cards? Does anyone care about climate change when you can save a few quid on your ‘lectric? Are you earning less than a tractor driver? Help small shops and small businesses. They’re lovely. And cake. #cake #credit #helptobuy #climatechange #shopping #homes #banks #money #spending

Everyone has a duty to pay tax – it’s the investment that allows democracy and civilised society to function. But have you tried to contact the tax office lately? In good times, it’s tough enough trying to get a tax refund from HMRC but now people are telling us it’s becoming impossible to even pay their bills. A near-hour wait to get through on the phone is the norm. Also on the agenda: The interest rates rise soap opera continues with the latest will-they won’t-they relationship looking like it’s off until further notice. The UK economy is looking healthy but what do investors looking at fragile emerging markets need to know? Parking your car looks likely to get a whole lot more expensive - £85 more to be precise. Did you know you can now chuck all your spare foreign coins into a machine that instantly converts them into British pounds? And finally… Do you really need to pay extra car insurance and fees to amend your policy if you get promoted? Probably not. But it’s fun to hear why with This is Money’s Simon Lambert and Laura Whitcombe, Share Radio’s Georgie Frost and another fascinating hour of money chat.

Women and Money with Sarah Pennells, talking to Laura Whitcombe form Moneywise Magazine, Paula Steele from John Lamb financial planning and Cleona Lira, about financial advisers.

Women and Money with Sarah Pennells, talking to Laura Whitcombe from Moneywise Magazine, Martyn Foulds from Halifax Home Insursance and Simon Bessell from the DIY school, about DIY and what the best options are.