How to solve Britain’s growth crisis

Utilities and infrastructure used to be a sector typically associated with producing steady inflation-linked income, but not anymore.That’s according to Jean-Hugues de Lamaze, manager of the Ecofin Global Utilities and Infrastructure Trust, who said there is high demand for capital expenditure in listed infrastructure.Speaking on the latest episode of MoneyWeek Talks, de Lamaze said ageing infrastructure put in place post-World War Two was offering investors plenty of opportunities, while demand to power AI datacentres and electric vehicles is another reason why there are growth prospects in the sector.MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth. Subscribe to the MoneyWeek Talks podcast and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.

The Chinese economy is facing headwinds. There is weakness in consumer spending, its property market is still in a slump, and there’s weakness in business investment.Speaking on the latest episode of MoneyWeek Talks, Dale Nicholls, manager of Fidelity’s China special situations fund says that while there may be negative things to say about the country’s economy, there are also bright spots to look out for – from its world-class artificial intelligence models to cloud computing.

Japan’s story has long been one of deflation. For the last 20 years or so, the country has been plagued by it, leaving its economy stunted.But has the tide finally turned? Deflation has been conquered, and Japanese firms are finally listening to shareholders.In this episode of MoneyWeek Talks, Masaki Taketsume, manager of the Schroder Japan Trust, discusses the initial catalyst, how much of the groundwork was laid under former prime minister Shinzo Abe’s economic vision, and more on the Japanese stock market.MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth. Be sure to subscribe and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.

The Bank of England might be best known for setting interest rates and printing banknotes, but there’s much more going on at the central bank.In this episode of MoneyWeek Talks, Bank of England economists Jack Leslie and Rupal Patel discuss what's kept in the Bank's vaults, the origin of colour banknotes, and how interest rates can be used to tackle inflation.MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth. Subscribe to the MoneyWeek Talks podcast and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.

Almost half of all adults in the UK struggle with financial literacy. Many do not understand the three key concepts – compounding returns, inflation, and risk.Without understanding these concepts, building financial independence becomes harder. Indeed the rising levels of young people not in education, employment or training can be linked back to poor numeracy skills in schools.That presents a “huge national challenge”, says Lizzie Gaisman, chief executive of The Richmond Project, a charity founded by former prime minister Rishi Sunak to champion numeracy.MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth.Subscribe to the MoneyWeek Talks podcast and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.

Asian small caps are often overlooked, but the right opportunities in the space can bring returns for investors, says Gabriel Sacks, manager of Aberdeen's Asia Focus fund.MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth.Subscribe to the MoneyWeek Talks podcast and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.

Biotech has been misunderstood as inherently risky for years. But that is no longer the case, says Ailsa Craig, fund manager of Schroders’ International Biotechnology Trust.

Successive governments have tried and failed to turn the economy around and deliver the type of growth many got used to before the 2008 financial crisis. So what can be done about Britain's growth issue?Independent economist Julian Jessop told the MoneyWeek Talks podcast that part of the answer is boosting productivity in the country.But the best way to do this for Jessop is not necessarily pouring more money into public services, In fact, it may be the opposite.

The UK is obsessed with cash. It's simple, easy to access, and won't crash. Put simply, it's risk-free.But that is not the whole truth, according to Andy Reed, head of behavioural economics research at Vanguard.While, yes investing can be risky. It is also risky not to invest, Reed tells MoneyWeek Talks.MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth.Subscribe to the MoneyWeek Talks podcast and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.

Legendary billionaire investor Jeremy Grantham is an expert in stock market bubbles. In the 1980s, he spotted the Japanese bubble. He also, rightly, refused to rush into the tech bubble that popped dramatically during the dotcom crash.Now, with all eyes on the astronomical valuations AI firms are commanding, does he think a bubble is emerging?MoneyWeek Talks is a podcast that helps you unlock the secrets to financial success, where experts share their top tips on managing money, investing wisely and building wealth. Subscribe to the MoneyWeek Talks podcast and get ready to make it, keep it and spend it.