LIV - or let die?

This episode of Wake Up To Money explores the UK's economic challenges amid global disruptions, focusing on energy insecurity, rising costs, and policy impacts on businesses and households. Host Sean Farrington examines the Bank of England's cautious stance on interest rates, driven by inflationary pressures from the war in Iran and supply chain risks, while also highlighting how government policies—such as expanded sick pay, employer national insurance hikes, and tax increases—are creating a 'perfect storm' for small and medium enterprises. Business owners like Rachel Waring of Waring's Furniture describe being squeezed by multiple cost burdens, with little support from targeted government schemes that favor large manufacturers over SMEs. The episode also covers the rental market, where flat rents reflect declining tenant affordability due to weak job markets and high taxation, and the Liberal Democrats' economic platform, including plans to halve energy bills, cut VAT for hospitality, and reform student loans. A segment on the potential collapse of Saudi-backed Live Golf highlights the fragility of high-profile sports ventures reliant on sovereign wealth funding, especially amid shifting geopolitical priorities. The overarching theme is the tension between short-term crisis management and long-term economic resilience. While institutions like the IMF warn of the UK being the hardest-hit G7 nation due to energy dependency, the episode reveals a systemic failure to support the backbone of the economy—SMEs—while favoring large industries and political narratives. The conversation underscores a growing frustration among business leaders who feel ignored despite contributing significantly to national output. Ultimately, the episode paints a picture of an economy under strain, where policy decisions are creating unintended consequences, and where the path to recovery requires not just targeted aid but a fundamental rethink of how the UK generates and manages energy, supports businesses, and balances fiscal responsibility with economic vitality.