Understand: The Economy

Understand the Economy

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Adam Fleming unpicks some of the key elements of the UK election.

Adam Fleming, host of Newscast and AntiSocial, unpicks some of the key elements of the UK election.

The Economy

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Understand: The Economy: The Economy: 8. Pensions

The Economy: 8. Pensions

BBC Radio 4 - Understand, The Economy, The Economy: 8. Pensions

Why is it so hard to save for when we’re older?

Why is it so hard to save for when we’re older? Will future generations even be able to retire?

Why is it so hard to save for retirement? Will future generations even get a pension? Why is the pension age rising and what is the state pension age? Tim Harford explains the problem an aging population is causing for the state pension and explores the gender pension gap. Economic historian Victoria Bateman tells the story of the very first pensions in the UK. 

Everything you need to know about the economy and what it means for you. This podcast will cut through the jargon to bring you clarity and ensure you finally understand all those complicated terms and phrases you hear on the news. Inflation, GDP, Interest rates, and bonds, Tim Harford and friends explain them all. We’ll ensure you understand what’s going on today, why your shopping is getting more expensive or why your pay doesn’t cover your bills. We’ll also bring you surprising histories, from the war hungry Kings who have shaped how things are counted today to the greedy merchants flooding Spain with Silver coins. So if your eyes usually glaze over when someone says ‘cutting taxes stimulates growth’, fear no more, we’ve got you covered.

Guest: Dr. Rajiv Prabhakar, The Open University

Producer: Phoebe Keane

Researcher: Drew Hyndman 

Editor: Clare Fordham

Theme music: Don’t Fret, Beats Fresh Music

A BBC Long Form Audio Production for BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Factual: Money

Tim Harford cuts through the jargon of the economic terms and ideas dominating the news.

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