Is the UK economy headed for stability or more trouble? TiM Podcast

There’s a new chancellor in town and he means business. Serious matter.

After Kwasi Kwarteng tried to spread some cheer to fuel growth with tax cuts for everyone, Jeremy Hunt played the fun police and stepped in to keep the markets from freaking out.

The aftermath of Kwarteng’s ill-fated mini-budget has now claimed his chancellorship and Liz Truss’ premiership – with Britain performing the rare feat of losing two prime ministers in less than four months.

But with Hunt’s firm reversal of existing tax cuts and a firm pledge not to develop any more cunning schemes that could anger markets, is Britain now on a firmer economic footing?

Or will our pursuit of another prime minister portend even more trouble?

In this podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert look at Hunt’s quick reversal of Kwarteng’s cuts and whether they will stabilize the ship and prove a good idea.

The team are also discussing the decision to stick with the triple lockdown – an expensive promise the government has decided to keep but really did have a choice after tearing up the guarantee for pensioners last year.

And will the rapid increase in mortgage prices cause house prices to fall? Many think so, but our 18-year-old real estate cycle guru, Fred Harrison, says otherwise.

Finally, how much does it cost you to use your stovetop versus an air fryer or slow cooker, and if you really want to save money then you need an energy saver dad?