Why is the government bond market so powerful? This is Money Podcast

Published on: May 2, 2025

By THIS IS MONEY

Updated: 23:19 BST, 2 May 2025

When it comes to investing, it’s stock markets that regularly hog the headlines but it’s government bond markets that really matter.

Share prices taking a prolonged tumble is one thing but if bonds take a hammering, the financial world starts to really the notice.

A textbook example occurred a few weeks ago when in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s introduction of US tariffs, stock markets took a dive and the President refused to budge.

But when bond market ructions started to get investors and even central bankers worried, Trump appeared to take heed and introduced his 90 day pause.

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On this podcast episode, Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert discuss government bonds, the basics of how they work, why they matter and what impact they have on ordinary investors and our finances.

Plus, the state pension top-up mess that refuses to go away, how to find the best Sipp to invest for retirement, and is a care annuity the answer to our care costs problems or just a treatment for the symptoms?

And finally, there’s been a mass stampede to cash Isas, what’s going on – and is the tax-free saving allowance still likely to get chopped.

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