Episode September 5, 2026 47 min 19s

Why the UK has a bond market problem - and what it means for you

From This is Money Podcast This is Money

Is it crunch time on the bond markets or is this just another episode in a long-running soap opera that always leaves us on a cliff hanger?

Turmoil on global bond markets has sent yields soaring on major countries' debt but the UK is suffering more than its rivals.

So, what’s going on with the bond blowout? How bad is it? Why does the UK pay more to borrow than similar countries? And why is it bad news for the Budget and our finances?

On this episode of the This is Money Podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert discuss the bond market, explain what's going on and why it matters to you.

Stoozing is back. Do you stooze, would you stooze, what on earth is stoozing and is it wise?

Plus, could you get duped by the British boutiques that are actually shoddy Chinese shops?

And finally, a property report this week claimed the death of the dining room… but is it time to be contrarian and revive them? Revealing his true identity as a fully paid-up member of the property-owning bourgeoisie, Simon puts up a defence for the dining room - but do Helen and Georgie agree?

00:00 Welcome to the This is Money podcast

00:57 Why are UK government borrowing costs surging – and why should we care?

06:36 Is the world’s debt problem getting out of control?

10:46 What could the bond market turmoil mean for the Budget?

17:35 What does it mean for mortgages, savings and your money?

19:11 Stoozing is back: could you really make £750 from a 0% credit card?

29:46 Fake British boutiques: are you really buying cheap clothes from China?

38:03 Death of the dining room: do we still need one?

45:37 Simon’s stat of the week: more than 1million pensioners paying higher-rate tax

46:37 Podcast close

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