Best UK Economics Podcasts (2024)

1
Swamp Notes: Democrats find a feeling at the DNC 18:22

2h ago18:22

18:22

Democrats from across the US gathered in Chicago for their presidential convention this week, promising to move past the Donald Trump-era of American politics. But if their newly-minted nominee, vice-president Kamala Harris, wins November’s election, she’ll have her work cut out to keep her party together. The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief, L…

1
KamaChameleon: What does Harris stand for? 26:34

1h ago26:34

26:34

After an electric week at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Kamala Harris now faces the real test in her bid to be president. Can she convince American voters? In the third part of our series on dating apps, we visit Brazil, China and Pakistan (10:24). And our obituaries editor celebrates the life of Wally Amos, the American king of co…

1
A soft landing at Jackson Hole 12:02

12h ago12:02

12:02

Kamala Harris made a bid for national unity at a rapturous Democratic National Convention. Plus, all eyes are on Jackson Hole today, where the Fed will reveal how it will lower US interest rates without triggering a recession. Meanwhile, investors are hedging their bets on these cuts coming soon, sending gold soaring. Mentioned in this podcast: Kam…

1
Electric eye: AI is helping fight terrorists 26:19

27m ago26:19

26:19

Predicting political violence is a painstaking job. Now AI is helping analysts look for clues and throwing up fascinating insights into the shifts that may indicate a strike is coming. Why Cuba could be heading towards economic and social collapse (11:01). And our correspondent visits Odessa where Ukrainians are rediscovering the beach (18:54). Lis…

1
Japan opens for (foreign) business 11:30

1d ago11:30

11:30

PwC faces a six-month business ban in China, and Mexico’s Supreme Court judges go on strike. Plus, a potential takeover of 7-Eleven may set the tone for a new era of Japanese acquisitions. Mentioned in this podcast: PwC expects six-month ban in China over Evergrande audit Mexico’s judges to strike over López Obrador’s plan to fire them After 7-Elev…

1
The human strain: can mpox be contained? 25:18

38m ago25:18

25:18

Mpox is spreading fast across Africa, yet public information campaigns are scant and vaccines in short supply. Is a new pandemic in the offing? Strategists are pondering a new potential threat from Russia: the possibility that it could detonate a nuclear weapon in space (09:42). And an Economist correspondent answers another of your questions about…

1
Saudi Arabia is keeping it in the kingdom 11:06

3d ago11:06

11:06

China’s flagship fund to buy up unsold housing is off to a limp start, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is to prioritise domestic spending. Plus, a growing number of Americans are suffering from tip fatigue. Mentioned in this podcast: China’s landmark property rescue plan limps off the starting line The US tipping system is teetering Saudi…

1
Byte by byte: Iran and Israel’s escalating cyberwar 22:26

1h ago22:26

22:26

While many people fear the risk of a wider war breaking out in the Middle East, a parallel battle is already ongoing – in the digital sphere. Can China challenge a long-standing duopoly in the airline industry (10:16)? And the latest Carrie Bradshaw index tells us where Americans can afford a solo apartment. Just don’t set your heart on New York… (…

1
Kamalanomics goes on defence 11:04

1h ago11:04

11:04

The US dollar sinks to its lowest level since the start of the year and Democrats are rushing to defend vice-president Kamala Harris’s economic road map. Plus, rising US-China tensions could threaten a decades-old science and technology pact. Mentioned in this podcast: Dollar hits 8-month low as US stocks start week higher Democrats on defensive af…

1
Hail Harris: the Democratic convention begins 23:21

18m ago23:21

23:21

As Democrats convene in Chicago, polls suggest Kamala Harris is ahead by a whisker in the US presidential race. Can the party sustain the momentum? In hospital, your recovery may depend not just on diagnostic technology or the drugs you take, but whether your doctor is a woman (10:11). And new research into elephant communication suggests the creat…

1
The Democratic convention kicks off in Chicago 12:12

41m ago12:12

12:12

Start-ups, legacy groups and policymakers are working out how to operate in areas of rising weather risks, and start-up failures shot up 60% in the past year. Plus, top international fashion brands are shifting orders away from Bangladesh because of recent political turmoil. Mentioned in this podcast: FT series: the Uninsurable World Global fashion…

1
Swamp Notes: Why more Latinos are voting Republican 15:56

1d ago15:56

15:56

Latino voters were once considered a reliable bet for Democrats. But with each passing election, Republicans are making more inroads with them. The FT’s Houston correspondent, Myles McCormick, and Republican political strategist, Mike Madrid, join this week’s Swamp Notes to unpack this shift. Mentioned in this podcast: The Latino swing voters who c…

1
Landing padded: the global-recession risk 26:33

16m ago26:33

26:33

Inflation, interest rates and jobless numbers are on healthy trends; markets are gaining back ground. As the spectre of global recession fades we ask why fear has persisted. In the second instalment of our series on dating we look at what singles are doing beyond the apps (10:23). And a tribute to Joss Naylor, Britain’s legend of fell running (18:5…

1
Bonds are back, baby! 11:23

22m ago11:23

11:23

A huge US-based oilfield services company is expanding its Russian business, investors are piling into US treasuries, and US retail sales saw their biggest jump in a year and a half in July. Plus, a decade-long dispute between Coca-Cola and federal tax authorities has escalated to the point that the company could owe $16bn in back payments. Mention…

1
One peace at a time: Gaza, Israel and Iran 23:52

28m ago23:52

23:52

Peace talks in Doha have a chance at progress even in Hamas’s absence. The outcome could determine the scope of Iran’s promised retaliations against Israel. New research suggests Mars may have an ocean’s worth of water deep in its crust (10:30). And Colombia’s bid to sate the global hunger for more sources of vanilla (18:14). Get a world of insight…

1
US inflation hits lowest rate in 3 years 10:37

2h ago10:37

10:37

Peace talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza start up again today, US inflation fell to 2.9 per cent in July, and Ukrainian forces are looking to hold on to newly-seized Russian territory. Plus, Germany’s chief prosecutor has issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian man suspected of blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Mentioned in this podcast…

1
Bait the hook! Fishing in the global talent pool 25:25

6d ago25:25

25:25

Skilled immigrants bring more than just their expertise to job markets. But governments miss opportunities to attract them—or make them feel entirely unwelcome. In America it seems like the standard tip fraction just keeps going up and up (11:36). Where will it end? And as part of our “schools briefs” primer on AI, we answer your questions, startin…

1
Are companies bailing on fossil fuels or doubling down? 11:25

7d ago11:25

11:25

US stocks and Treasuries rallied as traders assessed lower than expected wholesale inflation data, and investors hope that abundant electricity in northern Sweden can power a new wave of industrialisation. Meanwhile, the world’s biggest publicly listed coal producer is dropping plans to ditch the commodity. Mentioned in this podcast: US stocks clim…

1
AIOU: what if the AI boom busts? 24:02

2h ago24:02

24:02

Corporate investment in artificial-intelligence infrastructure reaches $1.4trn by some estimates. We ask what might threaten the expected windfalls that justify the spending. A Japanese mine’s bid to be listed by UNESCO was made harder because it ignores South Korean wartime forced labour (10:49). And why a nicotine pouch has so many fans on Americ…

1
Delays hit Biden’s signature manufacturing laws 10:58

7h ago10:58

10:58

Russia has trained its navy to hit European targets with nuclear-capable missiles, and 40 per cent of the biggest US manufacturing investments announced in the first year of Joe Biden’s flagship industrial and climate policies have been delayed or paused. Plus, we ask the FT’s Tom Hale if there could be a light at the end of the tunnel for China’s …

1
The boot is on the other foot: Ukraine’s surprise incursion 25:18

1d ago25:18

25:18

Part of Russia is under foreign control for the first time since the second world war. We ask about the strategy behind the surprise raid—which may not be the last. The Paris Olympics were, all told, a tremendous success, with some lessons for future games (11:47). And the 3-D holographic displays coming to a car dashboard near you (20:35). Get a w…

1
Western companies hit by Muslim country boycotts 11:13

1d ago11:13

11:13

More Americans trust Kamala Harris to handle the US economy than Donald Trump, European traders this summer are using only a fraction of Ukraine’s vast natural gas storage, and boycotts of western food and drinks brands in Muslim countries are hitting the revenues of multinationals. Plus, we look into why mid-tier US accounting firms are under incr…

51
Swamp Notes: Another brick in the (blue) Walz 15:22

3d ago15:22

15:22

Kamala Harris has supercharged Democratic party voters’ enthusiasm in the weeks since President Joe Biden stepped down as the nominee. Can Tim Walz, a little-known Midwestern governor with an everyman appeal and a progressive agenda, help maintain that excitement as her vice-presidential pick? The FT’s global business columnist, Rana Foroohar, and …

1
Expelling mistake: the costs of hardline immigration policy 25:06

4d ago25:06

25:06

The rich world is experiencing record migrant flows—and the attendant social upheaval. Finding immigration policies that are not economically ruinous is damnably hard. Our three-part series starts to unpack why people are so fed up with the big dating apps (11:10). And the head-spinning history of how break(danc)ing became an Olympic sport (18:44).…

101
US consumers start pinching pennies 11:28

4d ago11:28

11:28

The stock market sell-off earlier this week may have been a bit of an overreaction, and overall consumer spending has been struggling recently. Plus, the FT’s Christopher Miller explains what Ukraine’s surprise counteroffensive in Russia means. Mentioned in this podcast: Everyone calm down US consumer spending slowdown weighs on travel and leisure …

101
Arrivals haul: anti-tourism’s folly 21:28

5d ago21:28

21:28

Tourists are getting decidedly less-warm welcomes in popular spots, but blunt anti-tourism policies are self-defeating. We look at how to maintain benefits for both the visitors and the visited. As Russia tries to avoid another military draft, a slick recruitment drive seems to be bringing in new troops (09:22). And fatigue with smartphones is lead…

101
Google and Meta’s secret deal 10:35

5d ago10:35

10:35

Google and Meta struck a secret ads deal to target teenagers, and the FT reports that the UK’s biggest private pension fund dumped £80mn of Israeli assets. Plus, the FT’s Benjamin Parkin updates us on the situation in Bangladesh. Mentioned in this podcast: Google and Meta struck secret ads deal to target teenagers UK’s biggest private pension fund …

1
Walz onto the stage: Kamala Harris’s VP pick 26:17

7d ago26:17

26:17

Tim Walz, a folksy Midwesterner who came late to politics, is on the Democratic ticket. We ask how he got there and whether he was the best tactical pick. A visit to Lebanon reveals a sense of foreboding, as a sharper war between Israel and Hizbullah seems inevitable (11:04). And the executives who just don’t know when to quit (19:53). Get a world …

151
Can athletics vault into profitability? 11:45

6d ago11:45

11:45

Wall Street stocks rebounded yesterday as the markets stabilised from a global rout, Disney is raising its streaming prices and Chinese bonds are causing a lot of anxiety for the country’s lawmakers. Plus, the FT’s Sara Germano talks about the effort to make track and field more popular outside the Olympics. Mentioned in this podcast: Wall Street s…

1
More than Sheikh could stick at: Bangladesh’s PM resigns 24:16

7d ago24:16

24:16

Sheikh Hasina, who led the country for 20 of the past 28 years with an increasingly authoritarian grip, was ultimately undone by student protests that would not be quelled. China may be world-leading in autonomous taxis—but our ride in one is not without complications (9:00). And remembering Thomas Neff, who rid the world of a third of its nukes (1…

1
Stock indices get a case of the Mondays 10:01

7d ago10:01

10:01

Major stock indices were significantly down around the world yesterday. Plus, the FT’s Lucy Fisher explains why the far right is rioting in England and what the government is doing about it. Mentioned in this podcast: US stocks finish sharply lower to close out global market rout Why global investors find it so easy to sell Japan Why are the far ri…

351
Enter staged right: misinformation feeds Britain’s riots 22:37

16d ago22:37

22:37

Unrest across the country has been driven in part by the provably false claims of right-wing provocateurs. We examine the real concerns underlying the violence, and how to end it swiftly. Japanese politics had until recently been anachronistically tame; not so now that the social-media populists have arrived (10:18). And the notable parallels betwe…

1
UK leaders court US investors 9:31

8d ago9:31

9:31

UK chancellor Rachel Reeves begins a three-day visit to New York and Toronto on Monday in an attempt to sell Britain as “a stable place to do business,” asset managers fret as high-yield savings and caution over market volatility have left up to $1.5tn out of the market, commodity bulls’ dash for the exit sends prices tumbling. Mentioned in this po…

1
Swamp Notes: The Three Party Problem 12:57

10d ago12:57

12:57

Only two political parties — the Republicans and the Democrats — have controlled the White House since 1853. However, candidates from other parties still run in presidential elections. The FT’s Washington reporter, Steff Chávez, and US business and politics correspondent, Alex Rogers, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain how third-party candidat…

1
Tense exchange: Russia’s prisoner swap 27:40

11d ago27:40

27:40

The biggest exchange of prisoners between Russia and the West since the Cold War included opposition leaders, journalists and prisoners of conscience. Our correspondent accompanies America’s defence secretary on a tour of Asia designed to bolster military alliances (12:17). And why King Charles counts his swans every year (21:15). Listen to what ma…

1
An historic prisoner swap 10:33

11d ago10:33

10:33

Investors were not happy with Amazon’s earnings report and Russia agreed to a historic prisoner swap with western countries. Plus, the FT’s Tommy Stubbington discusses how markets might react to a week of important central bank interest rate decisions. Mentioned in this podcast: Amazon earnings jump on cloud computing strength but margins narrow A …

1
Yuan direction: Chinese firms head south 24:04

12d ago24:04

24:04

As domestic demand in China slows, and the West puts up trade and political barriers, Chinese firms are shifting their focus to poorer parts of the world. After Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure intensify, our correspondent visits a wrecked power plant (9:10). And how the doner kebab became a cultural touchstone (17:00). Listen to …

1
Tensions escalate between Iran and Israel 11:19

22d ago11:19

11:19

An interest rate cut could be on the table for the Federal Reserve’s next meeting, conflict in the Middle East is intensifying, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 2.7% on Wednesday. Plus, the FT’s Barney Jopson explains the recent wave of backlash against tourists. Mentioned in this podcast: Powell says September rate cut ‘on the table’ after Fed note…

1
Struck out: A Hamas leader is assassinated 22:51

13d ago22:51

22:51

After the killing of Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh, what are the prospects for ceasefire talks in the region? In Venezuela Nicolas Maduro has declared victory in presidential elections, but the opposition says the vote was rigged and protests have erupted on the streets (9:41). And why cooking may not be as healthy as you think (18:03). L…

1
Miami: a rare bright spot in US office real estate 11:21

13d ago11:21

11:21

Microsoft’s AI-fuelled cloud growth fell slightly short of investors’ expectations, the cost of a luxury office space in Miami smashed records, and London’s stock market has fallen behind in mining company listings. Plus, the FT’s Humza Jilani explains how Pakistan’s banks are benefitting from mounting government debt. Mentioned in this podcast: Mi…

1
Down to the wires: Africa’s digital lag 21:22

14d ago21:22

21:22

The dearth of fixed-line infrastructure that allowed the continent to leapfrog into the mobile-phone age now holds it back. We ask how to ensure the even spread of AI’s dividends. A stinking Seine has delayed the Olympic triathlon, but the river could one day help clean up Paris (7:09). And how “The Blair Witch Project” changed horror films (14:33)…

1
The EU’s trade plan for a potential second Trump term 10:04

14d ago10:04

10:04

Britain’s new finance minister blamed the previous Conservative government for a £22bn fiscal hole, and Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro is facing international pressure to back up his claim of winning re-election. Plus, the FT’s Andy Bounds explains the EU’s trade strategy to deal with a potential second Trump presidency. Mentioned in this pod…

1
Warpath: Israel vows revenge on Hizbullah 26:08

15d ago26:08

26:08

After an airstrike killed 12 children in Israel-controlled territory at the weekend, retaliation in Lebanon seems inevitable. The end result could be a war on multiple fronts. British prisons are in crisis, so what should the new Labour government do (10:07)? And for the past 50 years, the Kronos quartet in America has brought together musical trad…

1
Big Tech’s Big Stumble 10:47

15d ago10:47

10:47

Losses in big tech stocks as investors punish companies over earning reports. The Bank of England may vote to reduce interest rates this week. Fallout after a Hizbollah attack on the Golan Heights. Mentioned in this podcast: US markets suffer worst day since 2022 as Tesla and AI stocks fall BoE rate decision hangs on a knife edge as divided policym…

1
Swamp Notes: Should Kamala Harris embrace identity politics? 15:18

17d ago15:18

15:18

If Kamala Harris wins the Democratic nomination next month, she would be only the second woman or person of colour that either major US party has ever nominated for president. On this week’s Swamp Notes, the FT’s US national columnist and editor, Edward Luce, and deputy Washington bureau chief, Lauren Fedor, explain why Harris probably won’t lean i…

1
Field of streams: sports viewing changes 24:11

18d ago24:11

24:11

As the Olympics begin, more people than ever will be watching via streaming services. We examine the changing viewing habits transforming sport’s role in the broadcast business. The sentencing of Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist, reveals the empty, performative nature of justice in Russia today (11:10). And the internet has dubbed Kamala Ha…

1
How the Olympics could reshape Paris 11:48

18d ago11:48

11:48

Elon Musk is looking to inject $5bn into an AI start-up, and Venezuela’s election on Sunday will decide whether Nicolás Maduro will stay in office for more than a decade. Plus, the FT’s Simon Kuper explains how big infrastructure updates in Paris might shake up the cultural and political boundaries of the city. Mentioned in this podcast: Elon Musk …

1
Bibi talk: a speech light on detail 23:45

19d ago23:45

23:45

Anyone hoping to glean hints of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s plans for the Gaza war and its aftermath will have been disappointed: it was a political speech aimed at Israelis. Nigerians spend more than anyone on food, as a fraction of income. We look at the factors making the squeeze even tighter (11:44). And Starbucks franchises as communit…

1
Are Indian investors sitting on a bubble? 12:33

19d ago12:33

12:33

Biden says it’s time to ‘pass on the torch’, China and the Philippines struck a deal to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, and the Nasdaq composite fell 3.6 per cent yesterday. Plus, the FT’s Chris Kay explains how young investors are gambling on Indian stocks. Mentioned in this podcast: The flashpoints that threaten a détente between China an…

1
Destruction instruction: Western armies learn from Gaza 25:34

20d ago25:34

25:34

From tunnels to tanks to drones, Gaza’s horrors provide object lessons in urban warfare. We ask what Western forces will be learning about their own future conflicts. Silicon Valley types may relish the prospect of J. D. Vance, a former tech investor, becoming America’s vice-president—but it should in fact worry them (10:15). And the superstitious …

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UK Economics Podcasts

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