<description>&lt;p&gt;From humble beginnings in England in the 12th century, to landmark civil rights court cases in the US in the 1960s, class actions are now rarely out of the headlines.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They’re a means of bringing together large groups of people – sometimes millions – under the umbrella of a collective claim for damages.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Their popularity has spread from the US back to Europe and beyond, which is becoming a concern for businesses fearful of finding themselves in multi-million-dollar litigation cases. Now, there are growing calls for legislation to curb their rise.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Ed Butler
Producer: Craig Henderson&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, why bond markets are so powerful, China's property bubble, and Gen Z's experience of the current job market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Starbucks, Brian Niccol.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(Picture: High angle view of lawyers researching at a table in a board room. Credit: Getty Images)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We examine the rise in the number of people collectively fighting legal cases for redress

From humble beginnings in England in the 12th century, to landmark civil rights court cases in the US in the 1960s, class actions are now rarely out of the headlines.They’re a means of bringing together large groups of people – sometimes millions – under the umbrella of a collective claim for damages.Their popularity has spread from the US back to Europe and beyond, which is becoming a concern for businesses fearful of finding themselves in multi-million-dollar litigation cases. Now, there are growing calls for legislation to curb their rise.If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Ed Butler
Producer: Craig HendersonBusiness Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business.Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story.Recent episodes explore the weight-loss drug revolution, the growth in AI, the cost of living, why bond markets are so powerful, China's property bubble, and Gen Z's experience of the current job market.We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and the CEO of Starbucks, Brian Niccol.(Picture: High angle view of lawyers researching at a table in a board room. Credit: Getty Images)

Why are more people suing businesses?

<description>&lt;p&gt;250 years ago, on the 9th of March 1776, a book was published that didn’t just explain the economy, it changed it. The Wealth of Nations, written by "the father of economics" Adam Smith, sparked debates that still rage today, shaping everything from global trade to how much you earn. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Rob Young looks at an original copy from 1776, assesses Smith's importance, and speak to economists about the state of Adam Smith's free market today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Rob Young
Producer: David Cann&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Recent episodes explore the boom in weight-loss drugs, why bond markets are so powerful, China's property bubble, and Gen Z's experience of the current job market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, CEO of Canva Melanie Perkins, and the CEO of Starbucks, Brian Niccol.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(Picture: A first edition of The Wealth of Nations, in two leather bound volumes, with gold lettering on the spine.)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Wealth of Nations 250 years on: what’s the state of Adam Smith’s free market today?

250 years ago, on the 9th of March 1776, a book was published that didn’t just explain the economy, it changed it. The Wealth of Nations, written by "the father of economics" Adam Smith, sparked debates that still rage today, shaping everything from global trade to how much you earn. Rob Young looks at an original copy from 1776, assesses Smith's importance, and speak to economists about the state of Adam Smith's free market today.If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Rob Young
Producer: David CannBusiness Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business.Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story.Recent episodes explore the boom in weight-loss drugs, why bond markets are so powerful, China's property bubble, and Gen Z's experience of the current job market.We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, CEO of Canva Melanie Perkins, and the CEO of Starbucks, Brian Niccol.(Picture: A first edition of The Wealth of Nations, in two leather bound volumes, with gold lettering on the spine.)

The book that built the modern economy

<description>&lt;p&gt;Rahul Tandon talks to a man whose family chocolate business – founded by his father in Syria in the 1980s - was destroyed by war. His family was ripped apart and he had to flee, via a refugee camp in Lebanon, to Canada where he resettled and re-launched the business.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Today, it’s thriving, enjoying global sales. The company is called Peace by Chocolate, and our guest, Tareq Hadhad, is its founder and CEO.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Rahul Tandon 
Producer: Ahmed Adan &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Recent episodes explore the boom in weight-loss drugs, why bond markets are so powerful, China's property bubble, and Gen Z's experience of the current job market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, CEO of Canva Melanie Perkins, and the CEO of Starbucks, Brian Niccol.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(Picture: Tareq Hadhad. Credit: Tareq Hadhad)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

The family that lost its chocolate business in Syria’s war but rebuilt it in Canada

Rahul Tandon talks to a man whose family chocolate business – founded by his father in Syria in the 1980s - was destroyed by war. His family was ripped apart and he had to flee, via a refugee camp in Lebanon, to Canada where he resettled and re-launched the business.Today, it’s thriving, enjoying global sales. The company is called Peace by Chocolate, and our guest, Tareq Hadhad, is its founder and CEO.Presenter: Rahul Tandon 
Producer: Ahmed Adan If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.ukBusiness Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business.Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story.Recent episodes explore the boom in weight-loss drugs, why bond markets are so powerful, China's property bubble, and Gen Z's experience of the current job market.We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, CEO of Canva Melanie Perkins, and the CEO of Starbucks, Brian Niccol.(Picture: Tareq Hadhad. Credit: Tareq Hadhad)

Finding peace through chocolate

<description>&lt;p&gt;From Hollywood adverts fronted by Idris Elba to glittering skylines and global events, Gulf countries have spent decades pitching themselves as stable hubs for international investment. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But as conflict spreads across the Middle East, investors are watching the region more closely. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this edition of Business Daily, Sam Fenwick investigates whether the Gulf’s carefully built reputation for stability can hold — and what rising geopolitical tensions could mean for foreign investment, business confidence and the region’s economic ambitions. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Sam Fenwick 
Producers: Sarah Rogers, Gideon Long, David Cann and Rebecca Smylie&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Recent episodes explore the AI boom, why bond markets are so powerful, China's property bubble, and Gen Z's experience of the current job market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, CEO of Canva Melanie Perkins, and the CEO of Starbucks, Brian Niccol.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(Picture: A green motorway sign points the way to Dubai as smoke rises in the background. Credit: Getty Images)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We explore whether the Gulf can keep its reputation as a safe place to invest

From Hollywood adverts fronted by Idris Elba to glittering skylines and global events, Gulf countries have spent decades pitching themselves as stable hubs for international investment. But as conflict spreads across the Middle East, investors are watching the region more closely. In this edition of Business Daily, Sam Fenwick investigates whether the Gulf’s carefully built reputation for stability can hold — and what rising geopolitical tensions could mean for foreign investment, business confidence and the region’s economic ambitions. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Sam Fenwick 
Producers: Sarah Rogers, Gideon Long, David Cann and Rebecca SmylieBusiness Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business.Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story.Recent episodes explore the AI boom, why bond markets are so powerful, China's property bubble, and Gen Z's experience of the current job market.We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, CEO of Canva Melanie Perkins, and the CEO of Starbucks, Brian Niccol.(Picture: A green motorway sign points the way to Dubai as smoke rises in the background. Credit: Getty Images)

Can the Gulf stay open for business?

<description>&lt;p&gt;In the final episode of our series on the weight-loss drug boom, we explore how the global surge in demand for obesity medications could be reshaping the business landscape. From established companies rethinking their business models, to start-ups seeking to capitalise on shifting consumer habits, the ripple effects are already being felt across several industries.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also examine what the future may hold for the weight-loss market and the wider economy, as this sector continues to grow and evolve. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producer/presenter: Hannah Mullane&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Business Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Recent episodes explore the AI boom, why bond markets are so powerful, China's property bubble, and Gen Z's experience of the current job market.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, CEO of Canva Melanie Perkins, and the CEO of Starbucks, Brian Niccol.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(Photo: Close-up of a woman's hand shopping for yoghurt along the dairy aisle in supermarket, reading the nutrition label on the pot. Credit: Getty Images)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

How a change in habits appears to be opening up new economic opportunities

In the final episode of our series on the weight-loss drug boom, we explore how the global surge in demand for obesity medications could be reshaping the business landscape. From established companies rethinking their business models, to start-ups seeking to capitalise on shifting consumer habits, the ripple effects are already being felt across several industries.We also examine what the future may hold for the weight-loss market and the wider economy, as this sector continues to grow and evolve. If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.ukProducer/presenter: Hannah MullaneBusiness Daily is the home of in-depth audio journalism devoted to the world of money and work. From small startup stories to big corporate takeovers, global economic shifts to trends in technology, we look at the key figures, ideas and events shaping business.Each episode is a 17-minute, daily deep dive into a single topic, featuring expert analysis and the people at the heart of the story.Recent episodes explore the AI boom, why bond markets are so powerful, China's property bubble, and Gen Z's experience of the current job market.We also feature in-depth interviews with company founders and some of the world's most prominent CEOs. These include Google's Sundar Pichai, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, CEO of Canva Melanie Perkins, and the CEO of Starbucks, Brian Niccol.(Photo: Close-up of a woman's hand shopping for yoghurt along the dairy aisle in supermarket, reading the nutrition label on the pot. Credit: Getty Images)

Are weight-loss drugs reshaping business?

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