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Is the Government's Rail Reform failing? And how do we fixit?Andy Burnham says he'll bring back HS2 to Manchester if he'ssuccessful at becoming PMAnd we catch up with RealTimeTrains founder TomCairns about the new RTT app**Link to download the TicketyBoo app: https://myticketyboo.com/app_download/ Link to TicketyBoo website: https://myticketyboo.com/ Use code GREENSIGNALS5 at checkout toget £5 off your first booking**In this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:29) Is Rail Reform failing?(16:49) Andy Burnham vows to bring back HS2 North(23:22) RealTimeTrains interview(35:11) Railway News round-up(35:17) Bridge strike in Bedworth(37:01) Jacobite derails(38:38) Sinkholes at Purley(39:38) Midland Metro tramlink extension delay(41:38) Stuttgart 21 delay(44:15) East West Rail services to launch?(46:36) Great Central Railway video preview(49:22) TSC follow-up(52:02) Heritage News round-up(52:07) Severn Valley Railway pubs win awards(52:50) Welsh Railbus special trip(53:50) West Somerset Railway mannequin mystery(54:47) Doncaster Works event(56:06) Thanks to supporters(57:20) The Quiz(01:00:49) Northern Explorer ticket launchCredits: Thumbnail image - Department for TransportMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdYou can view our legal disclaimer, copyright information and privacy policy here - https://www.greensignals.org/legal/
HS2 was conceived at a cost of £37.5 billion and originally supposed to link London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. It will now connect only two stations outside London and Birmingham at a projected cost of more than £100 billion, and perhaps won't even be ‘high speed'. To discuss what this failure tells us about Britain's capacity to build things and the consequences for our everyday lives, James is joined by Gillian Plimmer, the FT's infrastructure correspondent, and Matthew Lawrence, director of Common Wealth. They discuss the unique features of the UK's ‘outsourcing state', beset by bloated projects weighed down by the increasing costs of private capital, and the long, corrosive impact of the failure of David Cameron's government to invest in infrastructure when borrowing was cheap. Read more on politics in the LRB: https://lrb.me/lrbpolitics From the LRB Subscribe to the LRB: https://lrb.me/subslrbpod Close Readings podcast: https://lrb.me/crlrbpod LRB Audiobooks: https://lrb.me/audiobookslrbpod Bags, binders and more at the LRB Store: https://lrb.me/storelrbpod Get in touch: podcasts@lrb.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
California's high-speed rail has spent $126 billion and laid zero miles of track. HS2, the UK's high-speed rail project has been under construction since before the iPhone 6. Meanwhile SpaceX is launching rockets for a fraction of the cost of a NASA coffee break. The problem isn't that we can't build things. It's who's holding the shovel. In this episode, Clive and Mark go transatlantic on the great infrastructure disaster of our time. Two countries. Two doomed rail projects. One disease: public sector procurement. Plus what California's housing crisis, Britain's planning paralysis, and the NASA vs SpaceX numbers tell us about incentives, accountability — and why nobody ever gets fired for a cost overrun. They just get a committee. If you enjoyed the show, consider subscribing to our free Substack at insearchofsanity.substack.com.
Richard Bowker and Nigel Harris are the erudite hosts of one of the most respected rail industry YouTube channels: GreenSignals. Richard speaks with Mark about HS2, Heritage Railways and getting great guests!
Rail to nowhere - HS2 - the poster child project of a failed British political classIn this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to author and doyen transport writerChristian Wolmar about the serial UK failed high-speed railway project. HS2 has spiralled to an estimated cost of £87-102 billion pounds due to political fickleness, mismanagement, inefficiency, and excessive environmental requirements. Christian Wolmar, author of "Fast Track: The Extraordinary Story of High-Speed Rail," explains how Treasury interference, lack of coherent government strategy, and environmental concerns (including a notorious £130 million bat tunnel) contributed to the project's catastrophic cost overruns. Nick and Christian compare Britain's failure with successful high-speed rail implementations in Spain, China, and other countries that maintained national strategic vision and better project management. Christian expressed skepticism about current Labour government reforms, noting that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has apparently shown little interest in the Euston station project despite being the local MP.Read all about it! Christian Wolmar Christian Wolmar is an award-winning writer and broadcaster specialising in transport and is the author of a series of books on railway history. He has spent nearly all of his working life as a journalist, and his interest in transport began at The Independent when he was appointed transport correspondent in 1992, a job he did until 1997. Christian's latest book is Fast Track: The Extraordinary Story of High-Speed Rail.Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Recorded at the Battle of Ideas festival 2025 on Saturday 18 October at Church House and the Abbey Centre, Westminster. ORIGINAL INTRODUCTION The UK's infrastructure is at a crossroads. Decades of underinvestment and misdirected investment have left transport networks congested, energy systems under strain, digital connectivity patchy, sewers clogged, towns flooded, bridges crumbling and housing targets seemingly unattainable. The government promises £1.5million new homes and yet we are faced with a major slowdown in the construction industry, a situation not helped by local resistance and bureaucratic inertia. The situation is further restrained by a lack of adequate support systems like schools, colleges, hospitals, and even courts and prisons. Cost overruns on projects like HS2 erode public trust, but day-to-day staff shortages, engineering works, train cancellations and leaves on the line are what really frustrate commuters. Grenfell Tower was a national tragedy, but spending billions on recladding buildings and funding bureaucratic regulators – instead of training builders to construct sufficient, affordable homes for those in need – seems inexplicable. Planning laws, environmental concerns, over-regulation, risk aversion, litigiousness and insurance liabilities have exacerbated the problem. But what is the actual problem? To be fair, this year, Keir Starmer announced that the government would ‘push past nimbyism' to get things done. Although tangible evidence has yet to materialise, recent ministerial pledges have included the desire to streamline planning, kickstart New Towns and boost energy provision. In August, the government announced a £130million package to help create 40,000 jobs in the construction sector So maybe we are not giving credit where it's due. This government has pledged to build nine new reservoirs, expand Heathrow, construct new nuclear and small nuclear reactors, and it has recently announced a £63million investment package to supercharge Britain's electric-vehicle infrastructure. In June 2025, it laid out its ‘10 Year Strategy' for UK infrastructure, whereby the government pledges to deliver growth in roads, railways, airports, water networks, energy grids, digital and housing infrastructure in order to deliver a more productive economy. Maybe we shouldn't grumble. How believable are the government's plans? How do we balance local concerns with national housing and infrastructure needs? If we can't maintain existing networks, how can we possibly create the next generation of infrastructure, like AI networks, smart systems, modular homes, autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, drone deliveries and low-carbon energy systems? SPEAKERS Paul Finch OBE programme director, World Architecture Festival Ben Flatman architectural editor, Building Design and Building; author, Birmingham: Shaping the City Shelagh McNerney head of regeneration, Manchester City Council Christopher Worrall industry fellow, Onward; commentator on housing, planning, and political realignment
What does success really look like when we get hiring right? In this Oxford+ in Brief, Susannah de Jager puts forward four questions to Riham Satti, co-founder and CEO of MeVitae. Riham describes success as a workplace where people feel they belong, feel empowered, and stay because their work feels like a career worth building. She offers candid advice for anyone entering the Oxford ecosystem, reflects on what the city does brilliantly and where it could connect its specialised pockets more effectively, and imagines what Oxford might look like by 2050. With a recent large-scale study finding that AI hiring tools can systematically reject qualified candidates (Stanford HAI, May 2026), her closing wish, a magic wand for fairness at work, could not feel more timely. Riham Satti: Riham Satti is the co-founder and CEO of MeVitae, an award-winning people intelligence platform that combines neuroscience, behavioural economics, and responsible AI to help organisations make fairer, faster, and fully explainable workforce decisions. A neuroscientist by training, Riham studied medical engineering at Imperial College London before completing her research at Oxford, where she developed a deep fascination with how the brain makes decisions. Through the Oxford University Innovation incubator, she co-founded MeVitae with computer scientist Vivek Doraiswamy to tackle bias and inefficiency in hiring. MeVitae now works with global enterprise clients including Transport for London, HS2, and Taylor Wessing, delivering up to 90% time and cost savings while reducing employee turnover by 25%. The company has been honoured with the Norrsken Impact/100 Award, nominated by Microsoft, and was selected by the UK Information Commissioner's Office to co-develop the national AI Data Protection Audit. Riham is a TEDx and keynote speaker and sits on the TechUK Council, advising on the responsible use of AI in business.Connect with Riham on LinkedInSusannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive ContentOxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.
Recorded at Hay Festival, Andy asks the panel the dreaded question - is Brexit back on the table? Also on the menu is Welsh independence, the National Conversation and an update on just how much money has been wasted on HS2.This week's panellists are Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Robin Morgan, Stephen Bush and Chloe Petts.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Maisie Adair, Catherine Brinkworth, Angela Channell and James Farmer Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc Willcox Recorded at Hay FestivalA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
HS2 planned to use a technology that “hasn't been inventedyet”… Really?GBR's livery begins rolling out on trains, but what happens next?And now Thameslink is following Avanti West Coast's exampleand cancelling some summer services. What is going on?** Find out more about the Emerald Isle Belle here: https://www.belletrains.co.uk/emerald-belle-2027or by calling 01284 330123In this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:56) HS2 at the Transport Select Committee(26:56) GBR livery rollout(33:12) Thameslink cuts summer services(35:50) Railway News round-up(35:55) Operators' names rumour(36:49) Feasibility study to reopen Boulby Line(37:45) Hire a luxury train(39:12) Railways Bill report stage(40:28) £500k station toilets(41:58) Open access news(48:18) Heritage railway news round-up(48:22) VAT cut for tourist attractions(49:31) GCR campaign to clean up Stanford Viaduct(50:41) N2 locomotive passes Steam Examination Test(51:28) Romney Hythe and Dymchurch solar panels(52:36) W H Davis wagon building teaser(55:27) Thanks to Supporters(56:41) The Quiz(01:01:47) Preston Tram Bridge replacedCredits: Thumbnail image - HS2 LtdMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdYou can view our legal disclaimer, copyright information and privacy policy here - https://www.greensignals.org/legal/
Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news. This week:Headlines have claimed that “healthy life expectancy” in the UK has fallen by two years. What does this actually mean?A new government report estimates that HS2 will cost almost double its original estimate. We ask where the money's gone.Chancellor Rachel Reeves has reduced VAT on theme parks, aquariums and other summer fun. But will these savings get passed on to the consumer?And Tim gives a much-anticipated update on his recent marathon.Contributors: Stuart McDonald - actuary at LCP Health Analytics John Burn-Murdoch - Chief Data Reporter for the Financial Times Kate Lamble - journalist and presenter of ‘Derailed: The story of HS2' Dan Neidle - founder of Tax Policy AssociatesCredits: Presenter: Tim Harford Reporter / Producer: Lizzy McNeill Producers: Tom Colls, Nathan Gower and John McMinn Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown Sound mix: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon
What if the key to fairer hiring lies not in better policies, but in understanding how our brains actually make decisions?In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Riham Satti, co-founder and CEO of MeVitae, about her journey from studying neuroscience at Oxford to building an AI-driven platform that transforms workforce decision-making. They explore how cognitive biases shape recruitment, why ten seconds of CV screening can derail a hiring process, and how organisations can use data and responsible AI to make fairer, faster, and smarter people decisions.With recent research showing that recruiters using biased AI tools mirror those inequitable choices up to 90% of the time, the conversation could not be more timely. Riham explains how MeVitae integrates neuroscience, anonymised recruiting, and transparent algorithms to help organisations identify hidden risks, improve candidate experience, and build genuinely inclusive workplaces. From bootstrapping with grant funding to working with global enterprise clients, her story is a blueprint for turning academic curiosity into commercial impact.(00:00) - Welcome to Oxford Plus (01:42) - The Academic Path to Entrepreneurship (03:12) - Stumbling into the World of Startups (04:21) - From a CV App to Uncovering a Broken Industry (06:37) - Funding the Early Days with Grants and Grit (09:59) - How MeVitae Evolved from B2C to Enterprise AI (13:58) - Neuroscience in Action: Eye Tracking and Hiring Bias (15:55) - Practical Steps to Reduce Unconscious Bias (22:16) - The Benefits Beyond Efficiency: Candidate Experience (27:48) - Connecting HR Data to Uncover Hidden Risks (32:12) - Company Retreats and Building Team Culture (37:01) - The Future of MeVitae and Responsible AI Riham Satti: Riham Satti is the co-founder and CEO of MeVitae, an award-winning people intelligence platform that combines neuroscience, behavioural economics, and responsible AI to help organisations make fairer, faster, and fully explainable workforce decisions. A neuroscientist by training, Riham studied medical engineering at Imperial College London before completing her research at Oxford, where she developed a deep fascination with how the brain makes decisions. Through the Oxford University Innovation incubator, she co-founded MeVitae with computer scientist Vivek Doraiswamy to tackle bias and inefficiency in hiring. MeVitae now works with global enterprise clients including Transport for London, HS2, and Taylor Wessing, delivering up to 90% time and cost savings while reducing employee turnover by 25%. The company has been honoured with the Norrsken Impact/100 Award, nominated by Microsoft, and was selected by the UK Information Commissioner's Office to co-develop the national AI Data Protection Audit. Riham is a TEDx and keynote speaker and sits on the TechUK Council, advising on the responsible use of AI in business.Connect with Riham on LinkedIn Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn and Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for Exclusive ContentOxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya, HSBC Innovation Banking, and James Cowper Kreston.Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.
As Andy Burnham is confirmed as the Labour candidate for the Makerfield by-election, George Parker asks whether this signals the start of a long goodbye for Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. He brings together Labour MP, Miatta Fahnbulleh, who resigned as an Energy minister earlier this month, and Jonathan Ashworth, formerly a member of Keir Starmer's Shadow Cabinet.The question of whether Britain should one day rejoin the EU has reared up once again in this shadow Labour leadership contest. To discuss that George speaks to the EU's former ambassador to the UK, Joao Vale de Almeida.Following the Government's confirmation that HS2 could eventually cost over £100bn and may not open until 2039, George turns to Labour MP Ruth Cadbury, who chairs the Transport Select Committee, and Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the Conservative chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.And, is Kemi Badenoch doing a good job as Conservative leader? George speaks to Lee Cain, former Number Ten Director of Communications to Boris Johnson, and Times columnist, Seb Payne.
This week in construction: the official verdict on HS2 landed, and it's worse than most people realise. Cost to complete is now £87.7-102.7bn. First services delayed to 2036. Britain is paying 15-20x the European rate per kilometre for high-speed rail.But the more interesting stories happened underneath it.Owen breaks down what every construction executive needs to know about three things colliding this week.One. The AI cost paradox. Per-token prices have dropped 280x in two years. So why are enterprise AI bills exploding? OpenAI just doubled its flagship rate card. Anthropic raised prices without touching the rate card at all. The pricing page is no longer telling you what your bill will look like. And Jean-Marc Shimizu, who runs open innovation at one of Japan's top five contractors, says the subsidy era is ending.Two. The construction robotics story almost nobody outside venture capital is reading. After sixty years as the last unautomated sector, the robots are finally shipping. Bedrock raised $270m in February. Crewline took $7m as a four-person team with a $26m order book waiting. Rebar tying robots are running at 4-6x human speed. Solar piling, reality capture, and a new category of self-verifying installation robots are all generating real revenue. Plus the corrective on humanoids that most executives haven't heard yet.Three. HS2 and what it actually means. Three reviews, twelve months, same five conclusions. And the uncomfortable question every leader needs to sit with: is your business built like HS2, or like the alternative?If you run a construction business, this is the briefing that will reshape how you read the next twelve months.Plus details on the in-person fireside conversation with Chetan Kotur, the ex-Polestar designer now leading the team rebuilding Laing O'Rourke from the inside. London, 3rd June, evening of Digital Construction Week. Senior exec spaces already filling.Show notes, references, and the link to sign up for the full newsletter and our Physical AI 2026 research are below:------1. Event: Re-Engineering The Main Contractor · Luma2. Physical AI and Robotics Report: https://bricks-bytes.com/downloads/physical-ai-robotics-2026/3. Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/
Listen to Rod Liddle's Times Radio show, Saturdays 10am to 1pm, on digital radio, your smart speaker or by downloading the free Times Radio app. Find out more here: https://www.thetimes.com/radio Ameer Kotecha, Tom Slater and Fraser Myers on the stakes of the Makerfield by-election, why we must never rejoin the EU, and what the HS2 omnishambles reveals about broken Britain. Brendan O'Neill will be hosting a live Q&A on Tuesday 9 June. This event is free and is exclusively for spiked supporters. Find out more here: https://www.spiked-online.com/2026/05/08/brendan-oneill-live-and-in-conversation/ Join us for the spiked summit, our biggest ever live event, on Saturday 27 June in Westminster. Get tickets: https://www.spiked-online.com/event/spiked-summit/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week Tatton and Diane talk a new government appointment, the latest in the long-running HS2 saga and what's promised to change in the youth justice system Who we are Simple Politics does things differently. We exist to help you have better conversations about the issues and the changes that matter. We do so by being clear, accurate and impartial. Also, light-hearted, engaging and occasionally (but not as often as we think) amusing. It's not just about understanding the facts and the topics themselves but also looking at why different people hold the opinions they do. Those with whom you disagree aren't monsters. Understanding and respect are at the core of everything we do. Our core offering will always be free. Unfortunately, giving things away for free isn't a great business model. We've never been business people. But. We do need to make this work. We do so through our amazing supporters, who keep us going by buying stuff in our shop and making monthly donations. This podcast has been Produced by Stripped Media If you want to know more about this podcast and others produced by Stripped Media, please visit www.Stripped.media or email Producers@Stripped.Media to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
HS2's ‘Original Sins'. Up to £102bn cost. Slower speeds.Years late. What went wrong?Avanti West Coast prepares to cut 38 daily weekday servicesfor six weeks.Bristol to Oxford direct services are restored!And Artificial Intelligence is coming to the railway fasterthan ever…**Link to download the TicketyBoo app: https://myticketyboo.com/app_download/ Link to TicketyBoo website: https://myticketyboo.com/ Use code GREENSIGNALS5 at checkout toget £5 off your first booking** **Link to buy BR Times books fromTransport Treasury Publishing: https://ttpublishing.co.uk/product/br-times-issue-1/Use code brsummer26 at checkout to get£2 off**** Book the Green Signals Jolly to theKeighley & Worth Valley Railway here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/green-signals-jolly-to-the-keighley-worth-valley-railway-tickets-1986536021717?aff=oddtdtcreatorIn this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:39) HS2's ‘original sins'(20:02) Bristol-Oxford direct reinstated(26:00) Artificial Intelligence in rail(29:27) Railway News Round-Up(29:57) LNER Flying Scotsman service restored(30:36) TfW service improvements(31:28) Darlington station transformation(32:00) GBR livery applied to Class 387(33:50) GB Railfreight redundancies(34:57) Settle-Carlisle discounted tickets(36:14) Last relay from Siemens historic Chippenham site(49:07) Avanti West Coast cuts services(52:39) Lawrence Bowman interview teaser(57:10) Heritage Railway news round-up(57:16) Pocket Rocket sold to Strathspey Railway(58:19) Bridgnorth Cliff Railway wall dispute(59:30) Stockton & Darlington Railway plan restored(01:00:13) Greatest Gathering Legacy event(01:01:26) Four-coach teak carriages to the NYMR(01:02:04) Thanks to Supporters(01:03:16) The Quiz(01:06:59) Bridal party on a South Wales MetroCredits: Thumbnail image - HS2 LtdMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdYou can view our legal disclaimer, copyright information and privacy policy here - https://www.greensignals.org/legal/
HS2 costs spiral over £100bn as the completion date pushed back, and the trains get slower. Arsenal win the league, and the latest on the Post Office Horizon scandal.
EP — Adam Pope on why Manchester outperforms cities twice its size.Manchester's business culture is built on graft, confidence and doing things without waiting for permission. Adam Pope explains why the city's attitude consistently turns small firms into serious operators and why founders underestimate the Northern Powerhouse region at their cost.The conversation covers how Greater Manchester's geography, talent pool, transport links and industrial heritage shape commercial behaviour, plus the practical realities of scaling outside London. We also look at hiring, governance, legal blind spots and how AI is already changing professional services.What You'll Learn in This Episode:• Spot the cultural traits that drive Manchester's commercial confidence• Judge when to base operations inside or outside the city centre• Avoid common legal and governance gaps that derail SMEs• Use AI without weakening decision‑making or risk controls• Build trust in a region where people value straight dealingThis episode is for UK founders deciding where to build, scale or expand — especially if you're considering life outside the M25.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:0:00 Manchester isn't trying to be London01:34 Industrial heritage and tech investment04:02 Greater Manchester's expansion06:23 Culture, friendliness and swagger10:11 Wealth, influence and the city's vibe15:21 Starting and hiring in Manchester18:10 Northern Powerhouse and regional funding22:47 HS2, infrastructure and wasted budgets24:58 What high‑speed rail would really change32:18 Scaling across the North33:24 Trust, class and regional attitudes39:04 Legal sector differences48:35 AI, law and Adam's Clause platform57:13 Automation, headcount and future roles1:03:43 Where SMEs go wrong legally1:13:33 Business or BullshitWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedInTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.me
As new revelations about the cost and delays to HS2 stun Westminster, the team debates our failures to build. And as the Burnham and Streeting teams gear up for a fight the other side of Makerfield, will the face off deliver substantive plans? Plus: John Swinney is going on. The SNP government is going on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The estimated £100bn price tag for HS2
Today, its been revealed HS2 could cost up to £102.7bn and trains will be slower than first planned. It has been revealed trains will not start running until between 2036 and 2039, up to six years later than the most recent official target of 2033. As of March 2026, £44.2bn has already been spent on the programme. Adam and Faisal discuss how we have got to this point. And, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed that up to 57 individuals and 20 companies could face criminal charges over the Grenfell Tower fire disaster. They say they will submit evidence files to the Crown Prosecution Service who will then make a final decision on whether to prosecute with any trials unlikely to take place before 2029, ten years after the disaster took place. Adam is joined by correspondent Tom Symonds to discuss why the process has taken so long.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
The Metropolitan Police says it is sending evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service for a decision on criminal charges, in relation to the Grenfell Tower fire, for 57 individuals and 20 companies and organisations. Also: The Transport Secretary says the HS2 high speed rail link may end up costing more than a hundred billion pounds. And three presenters have been chosen to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as the hosts of Strictly Come Dancing.
Andy Burnham sets out his mission to change Labour, obsession with speed blamed for HS2 failure, and who stole Gandalf the Goose?!Nick Ferrari at Breakfast is a Global Production.
What does the fiasco surrounding HS2 say about this country's ability to build large projects?Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are the public law barrister and author Marina Wheeler KC, MPs Luke Charters from Labour and Rebecca Smith from the Conservatives, plus the journalist Christina Patterson.
A city soundscape drifts through the open window of Stuart's lounge as we hit record, sirens, engines, and all the usual urban visitors. We never see the questions to be discussed beforehand, we dive in completely cold. That way, when you press play, you're discovering the conversation at the exact same moment we are. Anders, from Kent, England set today's first listener question - “South East Water have been giving out water bottles to the public during the water supply problems in Kent in January 2026, but some of the vulnerable aren't being supported until community spirit kicks in. The CEO has marked the company at 8 out of 10 for how they've reacted to the problems. In this day and age England should be better than this. This isn't a third world country after all!”Stuart and William dive into how societies handle problems, from water companies to community action, arguing that resilience matters more than pretending issues shouldn't exist. Stuart challenges the “third world country” cliché, stressing that real strength lies in how quickly people adapt, while William unpicks why leaders often overrate their own performance. Together, they explore the gap between leadership narratives and on‑the‑ground reality, the limits of CEO perspective, and the power of global localism when communities take action where they live. Ross, from Dublin, Republic Of Ireland set the next question for Stuart and William to delve into - “The Iranian uprising in early 2026 has seen the ruling regime cut off internet access to combat and suppress. Doesn't this show that protests are too reliant on the internet? What did the world's uprisings of the past use before the internet? If peoples want to overthrow, then surely they need to be more adaptive?”Stuart and William, your co-hosts, explore how movements spread ideas, past and present, from the days of couriers and public orators to today's encrypted platforms. Stuart questions whether true secrecy is even possible anymore, while William argues that our sense of “internet dependence” is often exaggerated. Drawing on historic figures like Henry Hunt and modern protests such as HS2, they unpick why challenging systems takes far more than intention, and why resistance can still matter even when it doesn't change the final outcome. What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to thepeoplescountryside@gmail.comSign the Petition - Improve The Oxfordshire Countryside Accessibility For All Disabilities And Abilities: change.org/ImproveTheOxfordshireCountrysideAccessibilityForAllDisabilitiesAndAbilitiesWe like to give you an ad free experience. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we're not after numbers.This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends podfollow.com/ThePeoplesCountrysideEnvironmentalDebatePodcast , support our work through Patreon patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside
Great Western Railway will be nationalised in December… and that much-loved historic green livery will soon disappear HS2's big ‘reset' is delayed AGAIN. Or is it? GB Railfreight's Class 99s take a big leap towards entering serviceAnd… an LNER overspeed incident might have been caused by driver distraction.**Link to download the TicketyBoo app: https://myticketyboo.com/app_download/ Link to TicketyBoo website: https://myticketyboo.com/ Use code GREENSIGNALS5 at checkout to get £5 off your first booking**** Book the Green Signals Jolly to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/green-signals-jolly-to-the-keighley-worth-valley-railway-tickets-1986536021717?aff=oddtdtcreatorIn this episode:(00:00) Intro(01:54) GWR nationalisation date announced(12:24) Is HS2's ‘reset' delayed?(17:45) Railway news round-up(17:52) GSM-R fault causes disruption(18:33) Oxley freight derailment(19:32) British Steel to be nationalised(20:03) Severn Tunnel major work(21:08) Mid Cornwall Metro launch(21:53) ORR rejects Grand Union open access application(24:23) Class 99s gain Statement of Compatibility(30:17) Grantham overspeed caused by ‘driver distraction'?(36:26) South West weather resilience video teaser(42:10) Heritage news round-up(42:19) East Lancs graffiti attack(42:52) Vale of Rheidol Railway Prince of Wales oil conversion(44:06) Talyllyn Railway celebrates 75thanniversary(44:53) Severn Valley Railway platform extension(45:55) Avon Valley Railway £150k fundraising appeal(46:43) Kent & East Sussex Railway Morning Bird-Song Tours(47:32) Museum of Scottish Railways new exhibition(48:35) Thanks to Supporters(50:36) The Quiz(55:24) Wabtec Doncaster Open DayMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdYou can view our legal disclaimer, copyright information and privacy policy here - https://www.greensignals.org/legal/
Paul Sloane joins James Smith to dismantle the myth of bad luck and reveal why the most successful innovations in history happened entirely by accident. A Cambridge engineer, former IBM marketer, and bestselling author, Sloane argues that what most people write off as misfortune is actually a hidden opportunity, and the people who notice it are the ones who change industries.
Chris Gibb is one of the country's most respected and experienced railway operators. His storied career includes a period as Chief operating Officer of Virgin Trains. Few people know how to get the most out of operating the West Coast Main Line as much as Chris Gibb. He's spent time running Scotrail and sitting on the Board of Network Rail. Latterly he's been the Senior NED on the Board of DFTO. He has seen the railway sector from every possible angle. Chris has long been an advocate for taking an holistic approach to maximising the potential of HS2. That extends to taking an integrated approach to rolling stock including how we think about the eventual need to replace the current fleet of tilting trains. Perhaps frustrated by the lack of progress and concerned that decisions may be made that could actually reduce capacity of West Coast Main line services, Chris made a presentation to the All Party Parliamentary Rail Group setting out his ideas. The Government was not impressed and within 72 hours, Chris had been dismissed from his role at DFTO. Green Signals recently met up with Chris to chat about what happened and what happens next. There's no bitterness whatsoever. Just a burning desire that everyone, collaboratively, does the right thing for the future of this most important of rail corridors. It's clear he's not going away.Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdYou can view our legal disclaimer, copyright information and privacy policy here - https://www.greensignals.org/legal/
Are High Speed 2 trains about to get a little bit less ‘high speed'?Glasgow Central reopens and Network Rail make the most of its partial closure to catch up on maintenanceAnd we speak to Liam Johnston MBE from the Railway Mission about their important work**Link to download the TicketyBoo app:https://myticketyboo.com/app_download/ Link to TicketyBoo website:https://myticketyboo.com/ Use code GREENSIGNALS5 at checkout to get £5 off your first booking**In this episode:(00:00) Intro(01:38) HS2 train speed(22:29) Glasgow Central station reopens(26:24) OxRail 2040 video teaser(30:34) Railway Mission interview(40:46) Thanks to Supporters(42:26) Railway News Round-up(42:30) Network Rail employee struck by train(43:10) Secretary of State provides HS2 update(44:51) End of 2028 stop for Scottish HSTs(47:14) Dumfries to Stranraer reopening scheme(49:24) Delay repay to become easier(50:29) Car abandoned on railway line(53:00) The Quiz(56:13) Helston Railway Society buys Cober viaductMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Credits:Thumbnail image - HS2 LtdWebsite -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdYou can view our legal disclaimer, copyright information and privacy policy here - https://www.greensignals.org/legal/
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Stephen McCullagh The undoing of YouTubers live stream murder alibi Like the plane got cut in half Eyewitnesses describe chaos of LaGuardia crash ME Swansea man was active but now he cant walk or talk at 28 Arson attack on Jewish charity ambulances being investigated by counter terror police Moma Foods recalls porridge months after mouse contamination HS2 train speeds could be cut to save money Steve Bruces baby grandson died after unsafe sleeping position Referendum defeat leaves Italys Meloni looking more vulnerable Slovenia becomes first EU state to introduce fuel rationing Danone buys meal supplement maker Huel
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Arson attack on Jewish charity ambulances being investigated by counter terror police ME Swansea man was active but now he cant walk or talk at 28 Danone buys meal supplement maker Huel Referendum defeat leaves Italys Meloni looking more vulnerable HS2 train speeds could be cut to save money Steve Bruces baby grandson died after unsafe sleeping position Like the plane got cut in half Eyewitnesses describe chaos of LaGuardia crash Stephen McCullagh The undoing of YouTubers live stream murder alibi Moma Foods recalls porridge months after mouse contamination Slovenia becomes first EU state to introduce fuel rationing
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Referendum defeat leaves Italys Meloni looking more vulnerable Steve Bruces baby grandson died after unsafe sleeping position ME Swansea man was active but now he cant walk or talk at 28 Danone buys meal supplement maker Huel Stephen McCullagh The undoing of YouTubers live stream murder alibi Slovenia becomes first EU state to introduce fuel rationing Like the plane got cut in half Eyewitnesses describe chaos of LaGuardia crash Arson attack on Jewish charity ambulances being investigated by counter terror police Moma Foods recalls porridge months after mouse contamination HS2 train speeds could be cut to save money
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Referendum defeat leaves Italys Meloni looking more vulnerable Stephen McCullagh The undoing of YouTubers live stream murder alibi Moma Foods recalls porridge months after mouse contamination HS2 train speeds could be cut to save money Steve Bruces baby grandson died after unsafe sleeping position Slovenia becomes first EU state to introduce fuel rationing Danone buys meal supplement maker Huel Like the plane got cut in half Eyewitnesses describe chaos of LaGuardia crash Arson attack on Jewish charity ambulances being investigated by counter terror police ME Swansea man was active but now he cant walk or talk at 28
President Trump has said the US and Iran have found "major points of agreement" and he's called off the immediate threat of strikes on Iranian power plants. Also: The Governor of the Bank of England joins Sir Keir Starmer at emergency Cobra talks to discuss how to tackle the rising cost of living. And trains on the new HS2 rail line between Birmingham and London may run slower than planned.
Israel warns Iran has missile power to hit London, HS2 trains need to go slower, and why did Chappell Roan leave the daughter of Jude Law in tears?
In this episode we are talking about water sector reform with Mark Thurston, chief executive of Anglian Water, arguably one of the most progressive and innovative water companies in the UK.Not without its problems and critics of course, but Anglian is certainly one water company that has really taken on the challenge to work with its supply chain to boost infrastructure productivity and cut out carbon. Mark joined Anglian in July 2024 having previously spent nearly seven years at the helm of the challenging and controversial HS2 project – the subject of our last conversation for the Podcast when he joined me back in 2023 for Episode 5. No question, it's a challenging time for the water sector. After years of public anger over sewage spills, service failures and rising bills, the water industry in England and Wales is facing a once-in-a-generation reckoning.That moment crystallised last summer with the final report of the Independent Water Commission, chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe. This pulled no punches and in it 88 recommendations called for sweeping reform: replacing Ofwat with a single integrated regulator, creating regional water planning authorities, mandating water metering, and embedding a new “public benefit” duty into company licences.At the same time, Ofwat's latest price review has demanded a step-change in asset renewal, resilience to climate change, and service performance - all while keeping water affordable and the sector investable. The stakes could hardly be higher. Without action, the country faces a potential shortfall of around a third of today's public water supply by 2050. Right now, Anglian is responding with plans to deliver new reservoirs in Lincolnshire and the Cambridgeshire Fens, and battling to unlock delivery without compromising environmental protection or public trust.So Mark finds himself once again at the heart of the infrastructure challenge. But his background perhaps brings rare experience of leading mega-projects under intense public and political scrutiny - experience that I'd say the water sector urgently needs right now. So let's explore those challenges.ResourcesAnglian Water websiteAnglian Water annual performance report 2025Independent Water Commission - Cunliffe ReviewOfwat's AMP8 final determination Anglian Water's Business Plan for AMP8HS2 website
HS2 has started excavation of the final tunnel bore on the 140-mile railway between central London and the West Midlands – the down tunnel from Old Oak Common station in west London towards Euston – HS2's terminus. The tunnel boring machine (TBM) is named Karen after Karen Harrison, one of the first female train drivers in the UK, who drove out of Old Oak Common depot.Best of all, Green Signals was aboard to witness the launch of this, the last of 11 TBM's on the HS2 project. Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdCredits -Thumbnail background image - HS2 LtdYou can view our legal disclaimer, copyright information and privacy policy here - https://www.greensignals.org/legal/
Is the £2bn contract for 54 HS2 trains about to be rewritten?And is it true that HS2 is going to ‘end in a field', as was reported last week?Plus, we preview some very exciting upcoming videos, including an interview with Chair of the Transport Select Committee RuthCadbury MP, and a Class 66 cab ride on East West Rail.**Link to download the TicketyBoo app:https://myticketyboo.com/app_download/ Link to TicketyBoo website:https://myticketyboo.com/ Use code GREENSIGNALS5 at checkout to get £5 off yourfirst booking**In this episode:(00:00) Intro(00:30) HS2 rolling stock order(26:08) Will HS2 ‘end in a field'?(32:30) Ruth Cadbury MP interview teaser(36:29) Thanks to Supporters(38:06) Railway News Round-up(38:09) Glasgow Central station closed after fire(39:49) Gloucester to Hereford branch line restorationproposal(42:47) Labour MP calls for Robin Hood Line extension(43:55) RMT members vote for strike action on the Tube(46:21) WSMR charter train(48:17) Avanti West Coast to run on Settle-Carlisle Line again(50:03) East West Rail cab ride teaser(52:22) The Quiz(55:48) LNER celebrates International Women's DayMembership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/joinPatreon -https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignalsGreen Signals: Website -http://www.greensignals.orgMerchandise - http://greensignals.etsy.comNewsletter -http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-listFollow: X (Twitter) -https://twitter.com/greensignallers LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltdYou can view our legal disclaimer, copyright information and privacy policy here - https://www.greensignals.org/legal/
Birmingham isn't just growing; it's getting younger. With major projects and investment including HS2, the BBC at Digbeth and the Birmingham Sports Quarter acting as a massive gravitational pull, the city is transitioning from potential to proven delivery. In this episode, Joanne Roney (managing director, Birmingham City Council) discusses how the city's project pipeline is setting new benchmarks for delivery in the UK. We'll explore why Birmingham's status as one of Europe's youngest and most diverse cities is the ultimate de-risking factor, creating built-in, long-term demand for high-quality urban living. We'll also dive into the exciting plans of the Birmingham Central Heart's prospectus, launching at MIPIM 2026. A bold vision reimagining the connection between the business core and the future HS2 terminus. Spanning eight key sites and a partnership of major landowners, these plans are set to transform the public realm. This isn't just about buildings; it's about a city raising its sights through active travel, culture, and civic pride. If the future of investment is shaped by delivery and operational discipline, Central Heart is where Birmingham is placing its biggest bet.
I've been teasing this one for ages, but we are finally looking at how HS2 gives Birmingham and the West Midlands a metro system, and what its wider suburban railway network COULD look like... Plus there's a bit of news. Support #Railnatter at https://patreon.com/garethdennis. Merch at https://merch.railnatter.uk. Join in the discussion at https://discord.railnatter.uk. You can also buy my book #HowTheRailwaysWillFixTheFuture: https://bit.ly/HowTheRailways
Ten years after I first followed the proposed route, I retraced my steps to see what life was like along the world's most expensive, heavily delayed railway line By Patrick Barkham. Read by Dermot Daly. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Arrests made over Oxfordshires supersized illegal rubbish dump Teen who murdered Leo Ross in Birmingham enjoyed hurting people What did UK and China get out of Starmers reset visit Indonesia Couple caned 140 times each for sex and alcohol offences Donald Trump says very dangerous for UK to deal with China London locksmith secretly filmed charging 10 times original quote Secret warehouse reveals lost world of treasures found on HS2 route Could weight loss jabs be behind rising gallbladder removals Why did China execute 11 members of the Myanmar Ming mafia family Two officers to face court martial over handling of Jaysley Beck sexual assault case
Welcome to Episode 40 of the Talent Intelligence Collective podcast! In this episode, Alan Walker, Alison Ettridge, and Toby Culshaw welcome Jen Allen Jardine, the self-proclaimed "SWP supergeek" and founder of Beyond the Eightball consultancy, who's currently bringing her strategic workforce planning expertise to HS2 after seven years of asking the uncomfortable questions that organisations need to hear.The episode opens with Toby analysing the results of the Talent Intelligence Collective's One and Done Challenge, revealing how AI-generated talent intelligence reports can produce dangerously convincing visualisations whilst harbouring significant data hallucinations. The discussion highlights how tech talent consistently skews results regardless of the actual prompt, and the critical importance of human expertise in validating AI outputs—with Patricia's inclusion of visa lead times demonstrating the nuanced thinking that distinguishes expert analysis from algorithmic suggestions.The news segment examines Saudi Arabia's remarkable skills week initiative, where they've mapped 8,500 skills across just 12 priority sectors as part of Vision 2030—a masterclass in national-level strategic workforce planning that prioritises focused action over comprehensive cataloguing. The conversation explores Mercer's Talent Trends report revealing that only 47% of employees believe their managers understand their skills gaps, whilst job-hoppers receive 16.4% salary increases compared to 5.6% for loyal employees—sparking debate about whether internal talent marketplaces or salary structures are the real retention culprit.Jen shares her unconventional journey from a working holiday visa in New Zealand to becoming one of the UK's leading SWP practitioners, including her experiences with airline scheduling complexities that cross the international date line and staffing hard-to-fill hospitals in rural Invercargill. Her definition of strategic workforce planning challenges conventional thinking: it's not about timeline horizons but about connecting every people intervention across the business to deliver organisational purpose sustainably and effectively.The conversation explores why organisations struggle with true strategic planning, with Jen arguing that both public and private sectors fail by seeking false certainty in an uncertain future. She advocates for scenario planning that embraces radical uncertainty—planning for multiple tomorrows rather than trying to predict a single future, using external market intelligence combined with internal knowledge to build organisational agility through constant iteration rather than perfect predictions.The episode concludes with Jen's three essential tips for SWP success: secure a "badass sponsor" (preferably the CEO) who can drive organisational change, use data to identify and challenge real pain points rather than assumed problems, and critically, start small despite pressure for comprehensive solutions. Her insight that managers often don't understand their teams' skills connects directly back to the Mercer findings, demonstrating how data maturity and decision-making courage are more important than perfect information.Until next time, stay agile, stay evidence-based, and most importantly, stay intelligent!As ever - big thanks to our sponsors: https://lightcast.io
HS2 should have been a symbol of engineering excellence. Instead half of it has been scrapped and it's still running £50 billion over budget. This is the story of how Britain's largest infrastructure project became its biggest scandal.Reporter: Stephen ArmstrongProducer: Jonathan LewisArtwork: Lola WilliamsSound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett This episode is sponsored by The Life of Chuck. Join us across the UK for a preview screening on Wednesday 13 August, before it hits cinemas nationwide on 20 August. Find the locations and book now at SEEITFIRST.COM and enter the code CHUCK.To find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalistsIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today's guest is one of Britain's best-loved and most fearless voices in wildlife and environmental broadcasting - it's the brilliant Chris Packham.Chris first made his name back in the 1980s as a presenter on The Really Wild Show, a programme that inspired a whole generation of children - myself included - to get out into nature. But before that, he was actually behind the camera, working as a wildlife cameraman after studying zoology. And it's that deep understanding of animals, ecosystems and science that still underpins everything he does.Since those early days, Chris has become a fixture on British television. You'll know him from Springwatch, Autumnwatch, and Winterwatch, from his BBC documentaries like The Walk That Made Me and Inside Our Autistic Minds, and from his powerful activism, whether he's leading anti-hunting campaigns, protesting HS2, or calling out the destruction of biodiversity in the UK and beyond.He's won multiple awards for his environmental work and was awarded a CBE for services to nature conservation. But he's also never been afraid to challenge the establishment, and I think that's one of the reasons so many people connect with him. In today's episode, we explore the places that have shaped him, from Kathmandhu to Kashmir, Mauritius to Marrakech. He talks about the awe and purpose he finds in travel, the power of experiencing landscapes that tell stories - whether it's battle sites like Little Bighorn in Montana or the brutalist war memorials of the Balkans - and the importance of discomfort, of being challenged by a place.We talk about being neurodivergent and how that shapes the way he sees the world when he travels - and also the places he'll never return to. Spoiler: it's not a great day for Dubai or Vegas.Destination Recap:White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USABig Bend National Park, Texas, USAEverglades National Park, Florida, USAZion National Park, Utah, USANew Forest National Park, Hampshire, England HondurasBorneoScotlandArles, France MauritiusSeville, SpainKathmandu, Nepal Kashmir, IndiaAntarcticaGalapagos, EcuadorMarrakech, Morocco Bar of sand nr Sanibel Island, Florida, USALittle Big Horn, Montana, USADubaiLas Vegas, USAPhilippines RainforestThe ‘Stans - Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan Finding the Spomeniks With thanks to Airbnb for their support of today's episode.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 14 seasons to catch up on, that's over 155 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv F 35B in Kerala UK fighter jet stuck in India ready to fly Ryanair boss considers raising staff bonus for spotting oversized bags Weak password allowed hackers to sink a 158 year old company Ellen DeGeneres I moved to the UK because of Donald Trump Man wearing heavy metallic necklace dies after being sucked into MRI machine Pension Commission to look at why four in ten fail to save enough Kirkby 1m down the drain as danger flats set to close Protesters gather in Epping as bottles and flares are thrown HS2 was doomed to be a mess, say insiders Bangladesh crash At least 19 dead after air force jet crashes into school
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Battle of Orgreave national inquiry confirmed by Yvette Cooper Ellen DeGeneres I moved to the UK because of Donald Trump Scottish runner finishes ultra marathon two hours ahead of competitors Protesters gather in Epping as bottles and flares are thrown HS2 was doomed to be a mess, say insiders Airport drivers try to beat drop off charges by parking in laybys New water ombudsman will tackle leaks and incorrect bills Performer launches Gaza flag protest on Royal Opera House stage Jess Carter England defender to step away from social media after a lot of racial abuse at Euros British woman dies after rafting incident in French Alps
After successfully defeating a number of fracking projects, a wave of hardened environmentalists join the anti-HS2 protest movement. Locking themselves to fences and ancient trees, civil disobedience arrived at the frontline of building sites. But injunctions and evictions clear the protest camps, and the added cost is a drop in HS2's very large bucket. The bigger threat to HS2's national image arrived in the unlikely form of a notorious environmental mitigation: the Sheephouse Wood Bat Mitigation Structure - or as it's better known, the Bat Tunnel.Presenter: Kate Lamble Producer: Robert Nicholson Executive Producer: Will Yates Sound Design and Mix: Arlie Adlington A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4
The government is set to delay the opening of HS2 without saying for how long. Sean Farrington looks at what this means for the UK rail network.
Rape Gangs, HS2, Dover Crisis: The Political Class Is DESTROYING Britain! #UKPolitics #ReformUK #ImmigrationCrisis #RapeGangs I'm Jon Gaunt and I've had ENOUGH of this circus! Today's Prime Minister's Questions was an absolute joke — screaming, shouting, blaming — while Britain BURNS. Illegal immigration is out of control. Grooming gangs are STILL ruining lives. HS2 is a multi-billion pound disaster. And what do Labour and the Tories do? Throw mud at each other like children. They've BOTH failed us. THEY opened the borders. THEY let the rape gangs go unpunished for years. THEY wasted our money on HS2. And now they have the nerve to sit in Parliament pretending to care. The truth? They're only interested in power, not the people they're supposed to serve. While they hold emergency COBRA meetings about Israel and Iran, OUR country is falling to pieces. This is BROKEN BRITAIN. And it's about time the British people said ENOUGH. We need leaders who actually care about fixing this country — not these career politicians clinging to power. The polls don't lie. The people are done with this lot. Reform is coming. Broken Britain, political class failure, UK politics 2025, Reform UK, immigration crisis UK, Dover migrant crisis, rape gangs UK, grooming gangs scandal, HS2 disaster, government corruption, Westminster circus, PMQs today, Britain betrayed, UK parliament chaos, illegal immigration UK, Britain falling apart, British politics rant, anti establishment UK, British political crisis, UK populism rising, political betrayal UK, voters fed up UK #BrokenBritain #UKPolitics #ReformUK #DoverCrisis #ImmigrationCrisis #RapeGangs #HS2Disaster #GovernmentFailure #PoliticalClass #BritainBetrayed #ParliamentCircus #PoliticalRant #BritainFirst #UKNews #BritishPolitics #Westminster #ImmigrationScandal #UKGovernmentFailure #TheSystemIsBroken #UKBorderCrisis