Politics At Jack And Sam's

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. The UK steel industry – which was on the verge of collapse just weeks ago – will no longer face the heaviest of Donald Trump's tariffs, the US announced overnight. We're the only country spared the doubling of tariffs on steel imports to the US to 50% – ours instead capped at 25%.This sounds great – until you remember last month's UK-US agreement – when the PM negotiated President Trump's 25% tariff down to zero – a deal that is yet to come into force.What's happened? And how big a win is this for Sir Keir Starmer and for Labour in any case? Is this ensuring the revival of British steel, or merely another stay of execution?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.Exclusive polling is announced by Sam and Anne, as they reveal cabinet popularity rating according to the public.Also, why is the Home Office is today releasing a weather report for weather that's already been and gone? They say warm weather impacts the number of small boat crossings.Is this the Labour government laying the turf, readying the British public for a balmy summer, and with that, days of record Channel crossings?

 Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   This time last year, Labour and the Conservatives were in the throes of an era-defining election campaign that would end in Sir Keir Starmer winning an extraordinarily large majority. The Reform Party was little more than a buzzing bee amid the backdrop of the UK political landscape. Spin forward 12 months, and how much things have changed. June 2025 marks the start of a crucial month for Sir Keir's Labour Party, with decisions due across a number of departments that will shape the course of this political era. In the coming weeks, we'll see a security strategy, a 10-year NHS strategy, an industrial strategy, and much more – all tied to next week's spending review. Today, it's the turn of military spending, as Defence Secretary John Healey reveals his 'first of a kind' Strategic Defence Review. But does it live up to the billing? 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   As Sir Keir Starmer waves goodbye to the Chagos Islands and his planned cuts to the winter fuel allowance, Sam and Anne assess what it all means.   How much “backseat driving” on the winter fuel U-turn has come from former chancellor Gordon Brown? And what's the best way to implement a volte face?  And what do the Gauke reforms, set to be accepted by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, mean for our stretched prison and probation services? 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves will have their strategy tested today as Deputy PM Angela Rayner sets out her plan for higher taxes, and questions are raised about their approach to Reform. Is becoming Reform-lite the way to go?   And, as the Prime Minister joins global efforts to put pressure on Israel over Gaza, could more sanctions be next?   

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.  It'll be a day when the PM goes again at selling the merits of his EU deal. One former cabinet minister tells the podcast it's all 'concrete and waffle'. Welfare is on the agenda today too - with a DWP committee session on child welfare. And, did someone mention Nick Clegg? The former Deputy PM has used the c-word about the Lib Dems. Sam and Anne discuss coalition after another favorable poll for them - but it's a poll which really isn't good news for the Tories  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   It's EU summit day – so what will Keir Starmer agree?  It's been described as an historic summit and will be a reset of relations since Brexit. It's expected that the EU and the UK will sign a security and defense partnership.  But so far nothing is set in stone.  Plus, how sincere are Vladamir Putin's interest in a ceasefire?  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   Today, Sir Keir Starmer heads to Albania to announce a crackdown on migrant smuggling gangs in the Balkans whilst internal political unrest continues to brew at home.  Sam and Anne discuss the growing tension inside both the Labour and Conservative parties, and Sam reveals how the first cracks between the chancellor and the PM have started to form. What does this mean for an increasingly under pressure Starmer?  Plus: Tory uncertainty deepens, leaving MPs wondering where Kemi Badenoch leadership is taking them.

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McEvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   It might be PMQs and there might be a big announcement about moving civil servants out of London but this episode also looks at the day in the backrooms of Westminster.  There's more to nail down ahead of Monday's EU summit – the announcement of a state visit for the Macrons might be a clue on where talks on things like fisheries are at. So what else is going on to prepare for next week?  Plus, what's in this morning's story about NHS reform? 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics.  After Labour's migration plans were announced yesterday, Sam and Anne reflect on the Prime Minister's rhetoric and its populist overtones. But how authentic is it?   Also, the Tories launched their own deportation bill in parliament yesterday. What's in it and is it all a bit of a stunt?  And Sam's reflecting on his interview with Nigel Farage, where he pressed the Reform leader on a loophole in the party's manifesto which could allow an unknown amount of people to come into the country.  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics.  Today's the day when Keir Starmer finally reveals his big shake-up of migration laws. Sam and Anne discuss the focus on low-skilled workers that'll be big for the social care and university sectors, and how there's a growing concern in government that the benefits of migration are being overstated.  That's how the PM wants to start the week, but his agenda might be overshadowed by international events. The Foreign Secretary will be part of today's efforts to make sure Putin shows up to meet Zelenskyy in Istanbul on Thursday. 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics.Overnight, reports emerged of a UK-US trade announcement being hours away. Sam and Anne discuss the significance of this political win for Sir Keir Starmer "at a time he needs it most".The pair discuss what detail is expected to be in the pact and what it means for the 'special' relationship between the two countries.Plus, the Bank of England is expected to announce a cut in interest rates. Sam and Anne ask whether things are looking up for the prime minister?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics.  As the fallout continues to grow following the local elections, Keir Starmer faces a challenge to his plan for change from his own MPs – are things going to get worse for Labour, before they get better?   And while Number 10 thought the India trade deal was going to be a good news story for them, Sam and Anne disagree on its value.  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy preview how the day will play out in British politics. As Westminster gets back to work after last Thursday's election results, is there the least surprising briefing ever to start the week? There's a new crackdown on asylum claims days after Reform's by-election and council victories. We focus on the Labour reaction to those results this morning – from rumours of a reshuffle to shooting down stories about winter fuel changes. What is the best way to face down a very happy Nigel Farage?  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have a Friday episode to take stock of the by-election, mayoral and local election results so far. Sam's pulled an all-nighter to cover Reform's victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election – it won by just six seats. It won the Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty too.  So it's a morning of questions to ponder – how do bigger parties respond to the Reform victories?Could a Starmer visit to Runcorn have secured the few votes needed for victory there? And is Labour focussing on Reform voters at the expense of people at the other end of the political spectrum? Plus, with lots of councils that were controlled by the Conservatives still to declare, at what point does someone mention Boris Johnson? 

The morning political podcast which gives you all need for the day ahead in 20 minutes, with Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy.  Back on British soil, Anne joins Sam to talk about Trump's 100 days in office and whether the President is really in a tough spot.  And there are reports that the US has decided a UK trade deal is a second or third order priority. Anne and Sam discuss why there has been a slowing down of the trade deal and - if and when it comes - will it be worth the wait?   Also, Sir Tony Blair has made a public intervention on Ed Miliband's green agenda – he says there needs to be a radical reset of “irrational” net-zero policies because they are “doomed to fail”. But why is he doing this? 

As Trump's 100 days in office edges closer, Anne checks in from DC to bring us all the latest on a domestically difficult week for the President.  Also, will the upcoming Canadian elections be a referendum on Trump from its biggest neighbours? Sam and Anne discuss what the global ramifications of that result might be.   And back in Blighty, local elections are nearing and Sam explains how they might shine a light on a tension in Labour between Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Will their briefs demand they push in opposite directions?        To find lists of candidates in all the local elections, you can search here: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information 

The podcast is transatlantic for this episode – with Politico's Anne McElvoy now in a hotel cupboard in Washington and Sky News' Sam Coates still in his kitchen in London.  Anne's headed to DC to cover Rachel Reeves' visits to the States and wonders how the Chancellor will fare on the MAGA-favoured TV channels when she does interviews today.  And with a week to go, it's a chance to look at how the local election campaigning is shaping up – and what this set of results might change, if anything.      To find lists of candidates in all the local elections, you can search here: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information

With news overnight that a peace conference in London today would be going ahead without UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy or US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are peace talks over Ukraine going backwards? Sam and Anne discuss what's going on.   And Rachel Reeves is landing in Washington today for what promises to be one of the most important IMF spring meeting in years – will she make any progress on a trade deal for the UK?   Also, Sam has obtained a leaked recording of former Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick vowing to “bring this coalition together” to ensure that Conservatives and Reform UK are no longer fighting each other for votes.

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy look at the day ahead in British politics. Returning from an Easter break for a new season, Sam and Anne begin by discussing how British and global politics will react to the death of Pope Francis. They discuss the Pope's own role in politics around the world and the legacy he leaves behind.Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves is heading to Washington ahead of her first IMF spring meetings, amid pessimistic predictions for the UK's own economy. Sam and Anne discuss if the chancellor can bring Trump's tariffs on the UK down and keep hopes high for a US-UK trade deal.

It's the Monday after a dramatic weekend in the House of Commons and Sam and Anne are here to bring you up to speed on the race to keep the furnaces on at the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe.  So what happens now after emergency legislation was passed on Saturday to give the government control of the plant and stop its Chinese owners from shutting it off?  And does the UK have a future as a serious manufacturing country?  Also, a new report from MPs hits back at claims of "two-tier policing" during last summer's riots - calling them "disgraceful".  

It's the final episode before recess so Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy wonder, given the turbulent times, who'll be the first to call for Parliament to be recalled?  And talking of the Lib Dems, there's some new polling which might put a spring into the step of Ed Davey – is his party's position on Trump and trade doing them some favours?  Of course, there's plenty of time to talk about the onslaught of US tariffs and implications for the UK – watch out what if the PM is asked about fiscal headroom in the liaison committee later.   Sam and Anne also ponder the PM's response to Sam at a Q&A yesterday.  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy look ahead to the day in British politics.It's the day Sir Keir Starmer is due to deliver a speech which answers if globalisation as we know it is over, as financial markets plummet for a third day in a row following the announcement of Donald Trump's trade tariffs.Sam and Anne discuss what to expect from the speech following the prime minister's weekend at Chequers with other world leaders discussing how to avoid an all-out trade war and the first projections of the impact from tariffs on the UK.They also discuss the prime minister's decision to water down green policy on UK cars and ask if the decision is a 'quick-fix' which could scupper the UK's net-zero plans.

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy present their guide to the day ahead in British politics.      As the world scrambles to react to the biggest single shift in US economic and foreign policy in decades, why are some in No10 feeling ‘vindication' over Donald Trump's new tariffs?   As leaders across the world scramble to pick up the pieces this morning and understand what it means politically as well as economically, Keir Starmer will tell a group of business leaders to keep calm and carry on.   

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy present their guide to the day ahead in British politics.    It's a big day and nobody quite knows how it'll end. President Trump will share the details of his tariff plan about 9pm UK time. As we record, the message from the UK government stays the same – it's a cool and calm approach, talks continue and no retaliation immediately.  But is tonight's Rose Garden moment really about economics - or more about international power dynamics?  Also today, it's the last PMQs before Easter so a chance to seek some clues about how Keir Starmer is feeling about any deal.  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy look ahead to the day in British politics.There's a cabinet meeting this morning - so it's a good time to discuss the dynamics around that table and why who is in what WhatsApp group matters. And what are the potential repercussions of one gang being in favour and another being out of favour?Meanwhile, as Donald Trump's tariffs 'liberation day' looms, what sort of expectation management is the UK government conducting?Are ministers having to water down some of their more hopeful signals on what deal they'll get?

Your morning politics digest with Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy.  Ahead of “liberation day”, when Trump's new tariffs come into effect, how can and will the UK respond? And what does it mean for Starmer's broader relationship with the US president?   And as Donald Trump appears to be changing his messaging on Putin, how much credit can the UK take? And what does it all ultimately mean for a Ukrainian peace deal? 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy debrief on Rachel Reeves's spring statement - with the added twist of Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on all imported cars. The chancellor has planned to get her fiscal headroom back to £9.9bn with warnings that her buffer looks too small against global events - and, right on cue, the US president has upped his trade war.So is the economy stuck in a "doom loop" or is there a narrative that things could still "go okay" for Labour? Sam and Anne also discuss the re-emerging rumour that the prime minister is on the lookout for a senior economics adviser - and if the Labour rebellion gets bigger and louder with those harsher welfare cuts.

It's spring statement day – a bigger day than the Treasury probably ever wanted it to be – but definitely not a budget.With Chancellor Rachel Reeves on course to break her own fiscal rules, she'll lay out how she intends to find billions of pounds of extra savings. At the eleventh hour, it looks like welfare cuts will be tougher than first thought – with a hit on Universal Credit.Sam and Anne outline what the calculations are likely to be and how the chancellor will handle the day. And beyond today – if there's no glimmer of growth by the end of the year, how would she approach the autumn budget? Could that be where raising taxes is the only option?

Your morning politics digest with Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy. The countdown to Trump's tariff ‘Liberation Day' continues with the UK looking at its options ahead of announcing any trade deal. Is abolishing Britain's digital services tax still one of the most likely moves? That'd mean missing out on hundreds of millions from the likes of Meta and Amazon. Elsewhere, with Rachel Reeves struggling to shake off the story about her Sabrina Carpenter tickets before the Spring statement, there's another story to trouble the cabinet this morning. There are reports that Angela Rayner wanted to tag a private safari tour onto an official trip. Does it all matter? Sam and Anne start the morning with a disagreement. 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy present their guide to the day ahead in British politics.    With two days to go until the Spring Statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been fighting off talk that she is taking Britain back to austerity.   Over the weekend she confirmed plans to cut Civil Service running costs by 15% and her statement is expected to unveil further savings.Reeves could also be on course to break the foundational promise of her Chancellorship - her own fiscal rules. What corrective action is she expected to take? And what else can we expect to hear from the Chancellor on Wednesday?  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy present their guide to the day ahead in British politics.  As Kemi Badenoch launches her local election campaign, is Nigel Farage right, would a stint on I'm A Celebrity help the Tories' chances?And, why Keir Starmer is continuing to market himself as the securocrat PM.  

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy present their guide to the day ahead in British politics.  Keir Starmer's team spend the day trying to work out how the Trump-Putin phone call really went down. Could the UK end up sending more military support to Ukraine before any pause in fighting? The idea of an ice hockey game apparently came up on the call – Anne has an important history lesson on that. Around Westminster, it's PMQs but the Labour charm offensive to convince its backbenchers of its welfare reforms goes on.

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy present their guide to the day ahead in British politics.  It's a big day for more than one reason. We know the details of the government's welfare reforms will finally come this afternoon. Before that, this morning, Kemi Badenoch will say the UK's target of hitting net zero by 2050 is ‘impossible'. How will Labour make their arguments in response – and will that be a new test for the Keir Starmer-Ed Miliband dynamic? On welfare, Sam and Anne go through the new details we'll hear today. And it sounds like changes to PIP payments will need legislation. 

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics.With Chancellor Rachel Reeves's spring statement fast approaching, Labour faces a major challenge from its own backbenchers ahead of an announcement to restrict some sickness and disability benefits. Sam and Anne discuss the stakes for Sir Keir Starmer and the plausibility of a party rebellion.Plus, it's classroom war over schools and academies, as Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson comes under pressure over her plans to shake up curriculums. But why is the schools bill causing such a stir?

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics.    It's crunch time for Keir Starmer's government. With rumours of a cabinet reshuffle rife - when might it take place? And who's on the chopping block?  This at a time when a rebellion over planned cuts to the welfare budget is brewing.  Sam and Anne also explain how the subject of civil service reform is in fact very interesting – Keir Starmer will want to take note. Today he'll apparently be announcing changes to defence spending, AI, and radical reform of the state.  WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk   

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics.    Tariffs are back on the agenda for this morning's episode – the US has put them on all steel and aluminium imports, including those from the UK.  How do ministers respond now? Does it go any further than the stiffly worded statement from business secretary Jonathan Reynolds?  And as the US and Ukraine await Russia's response to the proposal for a 30 day ceasefire, what is the role of the Starmer government at the moment – and what are the negotiating tactics at play?    WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk   

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics.    Bats, pylons, and planning reforms - how far is Keir Starmer willing to go to achieve the growth and infrastructure he's promised, and will Labour's new reforms help the UK get there? And what has the fallout been after Mike Amesbury announced his resignation, triggering a by election in Runcorn?  And over in Riyadh, ahead of peace talks over the war in Ukraine, how significant a role has Keir Starmer's National Security advisor Jonathan Powell been playing?  WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk   

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics.    With Zelensky heading to Saudi Arabia to join US sponsored peace talks in Saudi Arabia, Sam and Anne assess the UK's response to any concessions Ukraine might be made to make to Russia.  And with Mark Carney waiting in the wings to take over from Prime Minister Trudeau in Canada, how will his premiership differ and how will he respond to Trump's threat of tariffs?  Domestically, Labour's wish for economic growth is well known, but do their planning reforms go far enough to get it? And speaking of Reform - as their internal rows rumble on, Anne and Sam discuss what the latest intervention from an unnamed KC means for the party.  WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk   

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics.   As Matt Wrack, a former hard-left firefighter is endorsed as the the next leader of one of the two main teaching unions Sam and Anne discuss the fall out for the government. Mr Wrack who is the preferred candidate for the NASWT is a former general secretary of the fire brigade's union, but he has no professional educational background.   They also discuss the ongoing conversations about defence spending and how Europe will protect itself as both Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer spend their day on defence visits.   Plus are there plans to remove President Zelensky from office?  Anne has been speaking to members of the Ukrainian government.  WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk   

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy have their guide to the day ahead in British politics.    The domestic agenda is key today with some hints starting to emerge about what Chancellor Rachel Reeves is planning in her Spring statement in three weeks' time.   Sam reveals details of a four-point plan to get big government announcements out there before the statement itself.  Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, may or may not help her preparations when he appears before the Treasury select committee today.  You can send us a WhatsApp on 07511 867 633 or email us: jackandsam@sky.uk