06/01/2026

Government backtracks on a planned pub business rates rise after industry backlash. Our Friday panel unpacks this latest government U-turn along with the big stories from this week.Plus, January is traditionally the most popular month for holiday bookings. We speak to one of the UK's leading independent travel agents to find out where's hot and where's not in 2026.

Sean Farrington brings you the latest news and insight from the business world.He'll find out how markets are reacting to the possibility of more global instability after the United States seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the AtlanticAnd as Warner Brothers tells it's shareholders to reject Paramount's 'inferior" deal - Sean checks in on where this blockbuster saga goes next.Elsewhere, he'll find out what a surplus of milk has done to prices - and find out from producers about what those squeezed margins could mean.And he'll look back at another retro favourite - this time Gola trainers, the 120 year old British sports brand that's just been sold to Japanese owners.Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Sean Farrington talks to a former postmaster for his thoughts on Horizon computer boss's appearance before MPs yesterday. Why won't Fujitsu say how much they'll contribute to the Post Office redress scheme? South East Water was also in front of MP's yesterday following a water outage in Tunbridge Wells which left thousands of homes without drinking water. We check back in with a business owner whose bar was left high and dry. And, the physical music market continued its resurgence in 2025. We talk to one of the UK's only cassette shops, to see what they think of the comeback.

News and insight from the business world. Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

The US has pledged billions of dollars to revive Venezuela's ailing oil industry, but what do the experts think of the plan's chances of success? Plus, Will Bain finds out what impact a junk-food TV advertising ban will have on the food industry. And, it's time to start that gym membership, but will you stay the course? We hear from a gym owner about their busy time of the year.

Leanna Byrne looks at what's in store for the UK's economy in 2026 and asks what the next 12 months might bring for London's financial markets.Elsewhere - she'll hear from a tech boss about where AI development will go after last year, where the technology went mainstream.And one pub owner tells us why they're not looking forward to 'Dry January'.Download the podcast via the BBC Sounds app.

Tens of thousands of passengers on the Eurostar have been unable to make their journeys after a power outage - Sean Farrington hears how it's been impacting travellers and businesses.The legendary investor Warren Buffett is to step down as head of his company Berkshire Hathaway - another top investor tells us what legacy the 95-year-old leaves.And as it's New Year's Eve, we go to Edinburgh where one tour and pub crawl company will be painting the town red for Hogmanay.

On Wake Up To Money, we talk a lot about jobs, wages and the labour market. And we often hear from the bosses of some of our biggest recruitment firms.One of those is the Reed Group.Sir Alec Reed started the company 65 years ago and made it into one of the UK's biggest private businesses. He was knighted for his services to business and charity in 2011.He'd long stepped down as Chief Executive of Reed by then, handing over the reins to his son, James, in 1997.Sean Farrington sat down with James to look back on the life of his Dad - and how they navigated being part of the same team at work as well as at home... something that will sound familiar to so many across the country.

Sir Alec Reed, who passed away earlier this month, started the Reed Group 65 years ago and made it into one of the UK's biggest private businesses. He was knighted for his services to business and charity in 2011.Sean Farrington sits down with his son, James Reed, who took the reins of the company as chief executive in 1997, and looks back on the life and work of his dad.

It's been a tricky year for many hospitality businesses; Will Bain hears from a panel of pub and restaurant owners to look back - and forwards - on how they've been handling trade.In an exclusive interview, the boss of Puregym tells Wake Up to Money that pharmaceutical companies and health professionals need to be clearer on the need for exercise alongside weight-loss drugs.