Sunday March 26/2000 17.30, BBC2

Sunday March 26/2000
17.30, BBC2

Over a Barrel
Is the soaring price of oil about to plunge the world into recession? A year ago, OPEC oil producing countries decided to curb sales, resulting in a trebling of prices. Worries are now growing that the pattern of previous oil price shocks may be repeated: inflation, interest rate hikes and, finally, years of painful recession. Sheikh Yamani, former Saudi Arabian oil minister, tells The Money Programme that, unless production rises and prices fall soon, the consequences for the world economy will be severe. But 24 hours ahead of a vital OPEC meeting to decide on output in the coming year, the programme reveals deep divisions among the organisation's leaders about whether to follow his advice. More...

The Budget: a multi-billion pound gamble?
This week's Budget saw the Government act bravely in the eyes of its own supporters, but rashly in the opinion of critics. Many billions of pounds are to be poured into public services over the next few years. But what if the economy begins to cool down? Could what's being described as a prudent investment turn out to be an intolerable burden? Maya Even puts this to Andrew Smith, Chief Secretary to the treasury.

End of the E-Bubble
Could the fall in price of some high-profile internet shares this week be a turning point? Hints are emerging that the frenzy for investing in high-technology companies may be starting to subside. But if the internet share price bubble deflates too quickly, where will that leave the millions of small investors who have been caught up in the euphoria? The Money Programme puts this to Charles Schwab, the man whose rapidly expanding online stockbroking business has helped make it so easy for people to buy shares for the first time.