Wake Up to Money

Hosted by BBC Radio 5 Live

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Aug 2026

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About the show

News and views on business and the world of personal finance. Plus the very latest from the financial markets around the globe

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60 recent

August 18, 202651 min

Farming into the future

Sean Farrington speaks to a farm tech company trying to solve the double-whammy of drought and increasing costs which are impacting farmers this year. Elsewhere, we look at the potential consequences of Meta's child privacy trial, which accuses the owner of Instagram and Facebook of violating federal and state privacy laws for children. Also would you like to have a go at being Prime Minister? Well, a new mobile game has been storming the charts - and it allows you to do just that. We'll hear from the game's designer. Elsewhere we'll hear why declining summer school student numbers might be back for the wider UK economy.

August 17, 202651 min

A summer of wildfires and drought

Will Bain speaks to one man who's been helping his fellow farmers to protect their land from wildfires in Stourbridge as he hopes for rain to save his yield. As the 60-day ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran expires today - we'll find out whether there's any prospect of a solution that would open the key Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. Plus, we'll find out today's changes to national planning rules in Englang which which mean it'll be harder for developers to turn pubs into housing or office spaces. Elsewhere, as things cool down 'on land' we'll hear what impact a marine heatwave is having on the fishing industry.

August 14, 202652 min

Highlights, no camera, action

Odysseus and Spider Man join forces to rescue UK cinemas for the summer. Fans turning up to Phoebe Bridgers' latest gigs won't be able to film her performance on their smartphones, part of a trend pioneered by artists like Bob Dylan, Alicia Keys and Guns n' Roses. We find out what one venue thinks of the ban. And, our regular expert panel looks back over the highlights of the week's business stories.

August 13, 202651 min

Making the grade?

Will Bain looks at the choices facing students as they receive their results - from university to vocational routes. Mike Ashley could be about to add another famous name to the retail group he founded, with reports suggesting he is close to buying Harvey Nichols, and a deal potentially announced today as part of a pre-pack administration. And the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team is to be sold for a reported record-breaking $12.5bn. How has yet another sale come about in less than a year?

August 12, 202610 min

The Andy Burnham Interview

Prime Minister Andy Burnham tells Wake Up to Money that the increase to national insurance has "added pressure" to businesses and tells Felicity Hannah his announcements aimed at tackling the cost of living are not enough on their own and hinted at further support.

August 12, 202651 min

Wake Up to Money: Andy Burnham

Prime Minister Andy Burnham tells Wake Up to Money that the increase to national insurance has "added pressure" to businesses, and tells Felicity Hannah his announcements aimed at tackling the cost of living are not enough on their own and hinted at further support. Elsewhere, we speak to Amy Clayton of Sollunae, who sell glasses for people to watch the solar eclipse.

August 11, 202652 min

Hot and Cold

Will Bain hears how drought conditions are impacting wheat farmers and ice producers. As supply chains in the Middle East continue to be disrupted, a new arctic shipping route is being launched linking the UK to China. Plus, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is getting closer to buying a stake in Liverpool Football Club. We'll find out why US celebs are eyeing up opportunities in the world of sport.

August 10, 202651 min

No Laughing Matter?

Felicity Hannah hears whether the cost of performing at Edinburgh Fringe is getting too high? New data shows the UK jobs market might be getting less gloomy. And as another artificial intelligence agent goes rogue, we'll find out about the security concerns surrounding artificial intelligence models - and what's being done about it.

August 7, 202652 min

Last Pint Standing?

Westminster Council has been accused of trying to put a stop to "vertical drinking" - we get punters' thoughts. Meanwhile, as hundreds of thousands more people are required to submit their tax returns digitally from today, we hear why some are finding it a tough transition. And our expert panel brings you up to speed on everything from bank taxes to AI agents going rogue.

August 6, 202653 min

Beauty and the Feed

TikTok creators will be able to use Disney content in a new deal between the two media giants. A former executive tells us why Disney is moving into short form. Rising fresh produce prices will hit hospitality hardest and first, according to one of Britain's biggest wholesalers. We hear from a gastropub bearing the brunt. And it's the the first time an elite global padel tour has taken place in the UK - but what's behind the rapid growth of the sport?