Wake Up to Money

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.