Podcasts about labour mp

As the UK grapples with cost of living pressures, geopolitical shocks and a shifting political landscape, the case for net zero remains strong - but the story around it seems to have stalled.How can policymakers, businesses and campaigners reconnect climate action with public priorities such as jobs, growth, energy security and household bills?In this episode host Jon Bernstein is joined by Benj Sykes, UK Country Manager at Ørsted, Polly Billington, Labour MP and founder of Climate 100, and Daisy Powell-Chandler, Head of Energy and Environment at Public First, to examine the state of the UK's net zero consensus and what's really driving public attitudes.Their discussion looks at why Westminster debate has become more polarised even as public concern about climate change remains high; whether the language of “net zero” helps or hinders; and how to tell a more compelling, place-based story about the energy transition - from local jobs and warmer homes to cleaner transport and revitalised town centres.The panel also explores how to balance upfront investment with cost of living pressures, the case for an energy social tariff, and why decarbonisation should be framed as a national security priority that reduces exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets and future energy price shocks.This New Statesman podcast episode is sponsored by Ørsted.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Imagine setting up a political party and then boycotting day one of its first conference.It's an unusual thing to do - but exactly what Your Party co-founder Zarah Sultana did last weekend.The former Labour MP isn't the first politician to struggle after defecting to set up a new movement.What's the story behind the left-wing 32-year-old - and how do you successfully set up a new party?Niall is joined by Sky News political correspondent Rob Powell, who attended Your Party's chaotic inaugural conference.Producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Mike Bovill

A group of Labour MPs with rural consitituancies have urged the Government to think again on Inheritance Tax Changes, with some abstaining on a Commons vote on the issue earlier this week. This is the ongoing row over the Government's plan to re-impose inheritance tax on farming and business assets over a million pounds, which was introduced in last year's budget and is due to take effect from April next year. Ministers insist the plan is fair and say its time to move on. The cost to arable farmers of this year's summer drought has been estimated to be £828 million. The think tank the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit says farmers will lose the income as a result of what it says is the second worst UK harvest on record, where crops were hit by a very hot spring and summer as well as the resulting lack of water. A pioneering project to help the crews on fishing boats manage the unpredictability of their earnings has been launched in Cornwall. Weather conditions, fuel prices and market demand can mean that one week crews will earn, but the next they won't, making budgeting tricky.  Citizens Advice Cornwall says its led to problems - which is why, along with other local groups, it's set up Net Savings, a government backed collaboration to help fishing crews with financial advice. And as part of our week-long look at winter jobs on farm, we meet a cider apple farmer who'll be tending his trees throughout the season. Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Sally Challoner.

The budget gave Labour MPs a lift but for how long? They're already getting uneasy, and some members of the cabinet are so cross that they're proactively ringing The Times. Also, Patrick reminisces about his weekend at the Your Party conference...and Brexit makes a comeback.Steven Swinford, political editor, The TimesCaroline Wheeler, political editor, The Sunday TimesPatrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The TimesGabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday TimesProducer: Euan DawtreyExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture credit: Getty ImagesEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.ukThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Coventry MP who left the Labour party and joined Jeremy Corbyn's new left-wing ‘Your Party'. Zarah Sultana's husband and friends tell us how her upbringing shaped her politics and reveal her questionable taste in music. 'I think she would describe her taste as no taste', claims her husband Craig Lloyd. She was born in Birmingham to political parents who were both members of the Labour party. Her father even took her on a Labour party delegation to the occupied West Bank when she was a student, an important trip that inspired her to join those campaigning for a free Palestine and she's continued campaigning ever since. Her political career hasn't always been smooth sailing, leaving the Labour party over a row about lifting the two-child benefit cap. However her friends say she is driven by something deeper than her own career aims, she's trying to reshape British politics.Guests: Craig Lloyd, husband Sienna Rodgers, deputy editor of parliament's The House magazine Ian Byrne, Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill Georgie Robertson, friend and activist Barnaby Raine, friend and activist Production team: Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Sally Abrahams, Mhairi MacKenzie, Phoebe Keane and Tom Farmer Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele Sound: Gareth Jones Editor: Justine Lang Credits: Married At First Sight, CPL productions Ladybarn Primary School, Facebook

As a BBC investigation reveals how many adoptions break down, we ask whether the system gives adoptive parents enough support. Also:We ask a Labour MP whether the Chancellor misled the country over the state of the public finances - and ask our live political panel where her budget has left her authority.And the composer looking beyond the solar system for inspiration.

Beat the system with TallyMoney. Gold you can spend. Discover more here: https://click.tallymoney.com/A64P/df08xa5e #adIn this episode of Chopper's Political Podcast, Christopher Hope breaks down the Chancellor's latest Budget and examines why Labour is already facing serious political pressures in its aftermath. With bond markets reacting, thresholds frozen, and internal unease simmering, the discussion explores the challenges confronting Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves as they attempt to steady both their party and the public finances.Labour MP for Glasgow South, Gordon McKee, joins the podcast following his unexpectedly viral moment in which he used custard creams and bourbons to explain the UK's debt-to-GDP ratio.The purchase of gold and investment in bullion is not FCA regulated nor do they benefit from the protections of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service. The value of your investment can go down as well as up. Consider the risks involved before choosing to invest. This card is issued by Transact Payments Limited pursuant to licence by Mastercard International Incorporated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced £26 billion of tax increases in a budget that sought to balance the demands of both bond traders and Labour backbenchers. The budget included a more-than-doubled buffer of £22 billion and increased welfare spending by £16 billion, with decisions such as scrapping the cap on child benefits earning praise from left-wing Labour MPs. She speaks on the sidelines with Bloomberg's Lizzy BurdenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a thousand leaks, speeches and u-turns, Rachel Reeves has delivered her budget. As predicted there were a range of tax rises and some significant spending increases, not least on welfare. For all the feverish coverage, how much does the budget really change? Rock & Roll Politics - The Christmas Special is live at Kings Place on the 8th of December for the last show of the year. Tickets are available now at the Kings Place website here. Subscribe to Patreon to take part in my exclusive live event on the 20th November, plus ad-free podcasts arriving in your feed a day early and bonus podcasts and live events.  https://www.patreon.com/RockNRollPolitics  Written and presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver are joined by Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice GoldenIn this episode, we chat about:

Rachel Reeves has told Labour MPs she'll survive Wednesday's budget, and be back for years to come. Is it set to be worse than previous budget disasters, including George Osborne's 'omnishambles' in 2012?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Ed Vaizey and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just 24 hours until the Autumn Budget, desperation appears to have set in, with the Chancellor meeting Labour MPs in a last-ditch attempt to get the party behind her tax-raising plans.Camilla and Tim look at why it's too little, too late for Rachel Reeves; how fiscal drag means her tax raids will hit middle earners; and which Cabinet members will be caught up in Labour's mansion tax.Plus, Tim went to watch Samir Shah's appearance before the culture committee yesterday, and explains why the BBC chairman should step down after “the most astonishingly bad performance” he'd ever seen.Read: Why we'll all be dragged into Reeves's ‘mansion tax' before longWe want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducer: Lilian FawcettSenior Producer: John CadiganVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Andy McKenzieExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The chancellor's called for unity among Labour MPs - 24 hours before she reveals her budget.Meanwhile, the prime minister's hosting a call between European allies to push for a better peace plan for Ukraine.Ofcom's brought in new guidance to protect women and girls online - but will it make those in the public eye feel any safer?And Max Whitlock - Britain's most successful gymnast ever - has come out of retirement.Sophy and Wilf have everything you need to know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.Click here to never miss an episode: https://podfollow.com/cheatsheet/

On the eve of the long-awaited budget, the rhetoric is ramping up and speculation across Westminster is wild – but has the criticism on the Chancellor been fair? Sam and Anne assess Rachel Reeves' position, her pitch roll to Labour MPs and her potential smorgasbord of tax rises. Plus, the duo issue a warning about increased tariffs from China ahead of Christmas.

Rachel Reeves may have appeased Labour MPs but at what cost? We exclusively reveal just how bad relations are between Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana. We also discuss whether recent allegations against Nigel Farage are a big problem for him, and the political fall-out from Gabriel's story that West Midlands Police acted on false intelligence when they banned Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an Aston Villa game.Steven Swinford, political editor, The TimesPatrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The TimesGabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday TimesProducer: Euan DawtreyExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture credit: Getty ImagesClips: Times RadioEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.ukThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shabana Mahmood was back in the Commons today outlining her controversial immigration plans.Meanwhile, Clive Lewis said he'd give up his seat for Andy Burnham and a Labour MP defects to the Greens.In the second half of the podcast, Calum Weir from Labour Together tells us what really matters to Britain. Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe and Ailbhe Rea.LISTEN AD-FREE:

Over in the UK, some Labour MPs claim they've got the necessary numbers to roll Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer's popularity has been declining and Reform remains a consistent threat in the polls - and there's clear mood for change. UK correspondent Enda Brady explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was outrage from Labour MPs on Monday evening as Shabana Mahmood outlined her plans to shake up the asylum system. Will these policies be watered down? John Harris finds out what is happening behind the scenes with Kiran Stacey. Plus, now that Labour has adopted Reform UK rhetoric on immigration, where does the party go from here? John talks to Guardian columnists Gaby Hinsliff and Rafael Behr. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspod

#Starmer #Labour #UKPolitics #LabourCrisis #JonGaunt #AndyBurnham #CliveLewis #ReformUK #Greens  Keir Starmer is finished. The most unpopular Prime Minister in British history has not only lost the country – it now looks like he's lost his own party too. Around 80 Labour MPs are plotting to get rid of him, and Clive Lewis is even willing to give up his seat so Andy Burnham can swoop in and run for Leader. Next week's Budget will be another nail in Starmer's coffin. The real question now isn't just whether Starmer can survive – it's whether Labour itself can survive, with the Greens and Reform surging and voters turning their backs in disgust. Join Jon Gaunt  and have your say: Is Starmer toast? Is it curtains for Labour too?  #Starmer #Labour #Politics #UKPolitics #LabourCrisis #JonGaunt #AndyBurnham #CliveLewis #Budget2025 #ReformUK #Greens #StarmerCrisis #StarmerOut #LabourMPs #PoliticalShow #LiveStream #Gaunty  Starmer, Labour, UK politics, Labour crisis, Jon Gaunt, Andy Burnham, Clive Lewis, Budget 2025, Reform UK, Greens, Starmer crisis, Starmer out, Labour MPs, political livestream, UK government, Labour leadership, Gaunty, live. This is political blogging and hard-hitting social commentary from Triple Sony Gold Award-winning talk radio legend, Jon Gaunt — former host on BBC, Talk Radio, and Sky News. On Jon Gaunt TV, we cut through the noise and say what others won't. No political correctness. No censorship. Just real conversations that matter.

In the second episode of our mini-series, "We Are Free to Change the World," inspired by Hannah Arendt's call to action, Dash Arts' Artistic Director Josephine Burton is joined by Labour MP for Norwich South, Clive Lewis. From his House of Commons office, Clive Lewis discusses the struggle for freedom within contemporary politics. The conversation explores his belief that the "only real freedom we have is the freedom to... find out about the world around us," and his concerns about the "grim authoritarianism and a culture of fear" stifling creativity and genuine engagement in the Labour Party.Join Josephine and Clive as they discuss the essential role of imagination and art in shaping political visions—from science fiction to the NHS, and the loss of social democratic parties' ability to “dream big.” They also explore the difference between optimism and pragmatic hope as a driving force for political change, Clive's experience as a participant in Dash Arts' speechmaking workshops and the need for collaboration and solidarity to counter increasing polarisation and fear.Get your tickets for the live events for We Are Free To Change The World by going to the Dash Arts website : https://www.dasharts.org.uk/we-are-free Our intro music is Fakiiritanssi by Marouf Majidi Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#Starmer #Labour #UKPolitics #MigrationCrisis #Asylum #JonGaunt #LiveShow #deport  Britain is facing a political and social crisis — from the asylum and immigration system to pressure on housing and public services.  The Home Secretary's latest speech has ignited a fierce backlash, with Labour MPs describing parts of the Government's approach as "cruel" and "inhumane". A rebellion is now openly brewing inside the party. And yet… where is the Prime Minister? In tonight's live show, we ask the questions millions are wondering:  

The Home Secretary's new asylum plans are facing backlash from Labour MPs, including one who told Times Radio the government is trying to "appease the electorate" - is that the job of politicians, or not?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood announced sweeping changes to the asylum rules yesterday; the largest overhaul since the Second World War. The changes have apparently been inspired by Denmark but will they work or are they - as one Labour MP said - ‘repugnant'?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Ben Clathworthy, Whitehall editor, The Times.Fraser Nelson, columnist, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson, Harry Stott. Read more: Shabana Mahmood speech: Asylum policy to cope with ‘volatile' worldFurther listening: Doomed to fail? Labour's asylum u-turnClips: Sky, Times Radio, parliamentlive.tv.Photo: Andrew Fox for The Sunday Times.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has launched a crackdown on illegal migration, with new reforms aimed at stopping the UK being seen as a ‘golden ticket' for asylum seekers. They include fast-tracking the deportation of illegal migrants, an overhaul of human rights law and changes to refugee status. The Home Secretary's proposals are based on those adopted by Denmark, which has seen the number of illegal arrivals in the country plummet in ten years. The plans have been billed as the most radical since World War II, but have proven controversial, especially with backbench Labour MPs. As ministers face a growing revolt over the sweeping immigration changes, The Standard's Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is defending asylum reforms some Labour MPs are calling "cruel and inhumane". Also, the UN has passed Trump's peace plan for Gaza.And the government is set to ban ticket touts reselling tickets way above face value. Sophy and Wilf talk about how that's happened following a Competition and Markets Authority report which said Ticketmaster "may have misled Oasis fans" with unclear pricing. Although not about reselling, it did lead to promises to make sales more transparent. Everything you need to know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.

Today, the home secretary Shabana Mahmood announced sweeping changes to the UK's asylum policy, including plans to return asylum seekers to their home country if it is deemed safe. Under the new plans, most people will have to wait 20 years to apply for settled status, and the deportation process will be sped up for failed cases, including for families with children. The reforms have recieved tentative support from the oppostion but will likely face resistance closer to home, with a number of Labour MPs publicly criticising them.Adam and Chris break down the politics and director of the Migration Observatory Madeleine Sumption joins Adam to dive deep into the white paper. 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 Anna Harris with Shiler Mahmoudi and Adriana Urbano. The social producer was Beth Pritchard. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

To submit your urgent questions to Michael and Maddie, go to: spectator.co.uk/quiterightThis week on Quite right! Q&A: Could Britain see a snap election before 2029? Michael and Maddie unpack the constitutional mechanics – and explain why, despite the chaos, an early vote remains unlikely. They also turn to Labour's troubles: growing pressure on Keir Starmer, restive backbenchers, and whether Angela Rayner's sacking has boosted her chances as his successor.Plus: should the Scottish Parliament be abolished? And on a lighter note, if you won a free holiday but had to take one Labour MP, who would you choose?Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shabana Mahmood has announced a major asylum crackdown, in a clear attempt to pacify the Right of Labour and the country at large.The Home Secretary's plans, based on a model successfully implemented in Denmark, include a 20-year wait for refugees to apply for indefinite leave to remain, reviews of refugees status every 30 months, and legislation that will promote British law over the ECHR.Camilla and Tim ask whether a policy that Labour MPs are calling “divisive” and “cruel”, and that Reform's Richard Tice says sounds like “an application for vetting to join Reform”, will actually end up pleasing no one.We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducer: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia CoanSenior Producer: John CadiganVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Home Secretary is putting her new hardline immigration plans before parliament - saying if Labour doesn't do something drastic then worse will come. The new policy includes returning asylum seekers to their home country once it's deemed safe. And quadrupling the amount of time they will have to spend in the UK before earning indefinite leave to remain. Some Labour MPs are already queuing up to call it "performative cruelty" and unworkable - but she's found a fan in one Tommy Robinson who hailed the shifting of the Overton window in an unlikely weekend Tweet. Will that cheering send shivers down the spines of Labour MPs? And is the policy workable? Jon and Emily speak to the senior backbencher Stella Creasy about her concerns.Later, Trump has had a change of heart on releasing those potentially incriminating Epstein files - why?!The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal -> https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee

The Guardian's political editor Pippa Crerar assesses the latest developments at Westminster. Following a turbulent week for the government, with talk of plots to replace the Prime Minister and speculation over the budget, Pippa speaks to two Labour MPs, Chris Curtis and Rachael Maskell, about the mood on the Labour backbenches.To discuss the challenges for BBC following the resignation of its director general, Pippa speaks to Conservative peer Tina Stowell, a former Head of Corporate Affairs at the BBC and Anna Sabine, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport.To discuss the state of the prison system, Pippa is joined by former Conservative Justice Secretary David Gauke who, earlier this year, carried out a review into sentencing for the government. And, to give their take on a difficult week for the Prime Minister, Pippa is joined by the political editor of the News Statesman magazine Ailbhe Rea and Luke Tryl the Managing Director of the polling company More in Common.

The Chancellor has scrapped plans to raise income tax in the Budget because of improved economic forecasts and fears over the reaction of mutinous Labour MPs - is she right to change course? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an effort to curb illegal migration, the government is planning the biggest shakeup to asylum rules since World War Two - inspired by Denmark. We examine what lessons the UK can learn from the Danish system - and ask a Labour MP if these sweeping changes will work.Also on the programme:A British journalist detained by US immigration officers for more than two weeks has returned to the UK. We speak to him. And a pub quiz has banned a team for cheating. Are smartphones are spoiling all the fun?

There's universal consensus that the briefings from Number 10, warning of a leadership challenge from Wes Streeting and the conduct of "feral" Labour MPs, have rebounded badly on Starmer and those involved. Yet the briefings against key Labour figures are part of a pattern under Keir Starmer's leadership… even if he is the biggest victim of these operations and is now in greater danger. Plus brilliant questions on the BBC and much more. Rock & Roll Politics - The Christmas Special is live at Kings Place on the 8th of December. Tickets are available now at the Kings Place website here. Subscribe to Patreon to take part in my exclusive live event on the 20th November, plus ad-free podcasts arriving in your feed a day early and bonus podcasts and live events.  Written and presented by Steve Richards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anonymous briefings that Keir Starmer would fight a leadership challenge have fuelled speculation about discontent with the prime minister among the parliamentary party. We hear that Labour MPs are increasingly openly contemptuous of the PM in their briefings to journalists. Also on the programme: the Democrats release emails suggesting Donald Trump was aware of sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein; and the knitters of the Shetland Islands tell us they've been stitched up by a TV portrayal of their craft.

The Queen of Westminster returns with unrelenting fury at BBC boss Tim Davie, who—hours after his shock resignation over the Panorama Trump speech scandal—rallied staff to "fight for our journalism" amid damning evidence of bias, including doctored footage falsely framing Trump as inciting the Capitol riot. As Trump threatens a $1bn lawsuit against the Beeb, Julia demands: is this defiance or denial? She also rips into Labour's latest capitulation, with a High Court ruling greenlighting illegal migrants housed at Epping's Bell Hotel despite furious local protests, a migrant sex assault scandal, and costs spiralling to £2.1bn a year. Joined by Spiked Online's Tom Slater and Baroness Kate Hoey (ex-Labour MP and Culture Minister), it's a no-holds-barred dissection of media rot and migrant madness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We reveal how the prime minister intends to fight a leadership challenge that he now sees as inevitable. Meanwhile the chancellor plans to scrap the two-child benefit cap to appease some Labour MPs, even though there are no votes in it. And why are phrases like 'carpet bombing' and 'harassment' being applied to Steve's reporting style?Steven Swinford, political editor, The TimesCaroline Wheeler, political editor, The Sunday TimesPatrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The TimesGabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday TimesProducer: Euan DawtreyExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture credit: Getty ImagesEmail us: thestateofit@thetimes.co.ukThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Trump considers giving Hungary an exemption on Russian oil sanctions Sixth Met Police officer sacked after BBC Panorama investigation DNA pioneer James Watson dies at 97 Algerian man mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth arrested British ex soldier arrested over killing of Kenyan woman in 2012 Whip restored to Labour MPs who rebelled over welfare reforms Stand off over 800,000 Your Party membership fees What does Elon Musk do with all his money Why this woman believed she was Madeleine McCann and what she did next Joey Barton guilty over offensive X posts

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Why this woman believed she was Madeleine McCann and what she did next Sixth Met Police officer sacked after BBC Panorama investigation Trump considers giving Hungary an exemption on Russian oil sanctions Stand off over 800,000 Your Party membership fees Joey Barton guilty over offensive X posts DNA pioneer James Watson dies at 97 British ex soldier arrested over killing of Kenyan woman in 2012 What does Elon Musk do with all his money Whip restored to Labour MPs who rebelled over welfare reforms Algerian man mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth arrested

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Stand off over 800,000 Your Party membership fees Joey Barton guilty over offensive X posts Trump considers giving Hungary an exemption on Russian oil sanctions DNA pioneer James Watson dies at 97 Whip restored to Labour MPs who rebelled over welfare reforms Why this woman believed she was Madeleine McCann and what she did next Algerian man mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth arrested Sixth Met Police officer sacked after BBC Panorama investigation What does Elon Musk do with all his money British ex soldier arrested over killing of Kenyan woman in 2012

Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Sixth Met Police officer sacked after BBC Panorama investigation Stand off over 800,000 Your Party membership fees Whip restored to Labour MPs who rebelled over welfare reforms British ex soldier arrested over killing of Kenyan woman in 2012 Joey Barton guilty over offensive X posts DNA pioneer James Watson dies at 97 Trump considers giving Hungary an exemption on Russian oil sanctions Algerian man mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth arrested What does Elon Musk do with all his money Why this woman believed she was Madeleine McCann and what she did next

Does anyone care about British farmers? Those ploughing the fields and harvesting crops certainly don't feel Westminster pays attention to them. So this week Westminster Insider finds out how the relationship between politics and farming – from post-Brexit trade deals to inheritance tax. She speaks to NFU President Tom Bradshaw about how Keir Starmer set up the promise of hope for farmers, before swiftly letting them down. Michael Gove, editor of the Spectator and former Conservative Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) Secretary, admits the Australia trade deal did betray Britain's farmers. Emma Pryor, former special advisor to Defra Secretary George Eustice, explains how subsidies, which mean farmers can make a profit on producing food, changed after Brexit. And Sascha heads to rural South West Norfolk, where she speaks to Terry Jermy, the Labour MP who ousted Liz Truss. He tells her the new rules on inheritance tax are "unfortunate" and he hopes they are changed. Sascha gets on a tractor harvesting potatoes and speaks to farmers Danielle and Richard Gott. And she visits a farm run by Ed Pope which has turned 170 acres of the property into wildlife conservation. This episode was produced by Robert Nicholson and Artemis Irvine at Whistledown Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PM Keir Starmer flies to the Brazilian rainforest for the COP30 climate conference, a trip he almost biffed off, but the surge in polling support for the Green party may have changed his mind. He'll join Prince William and the King out in the Amazon – at the same time as considering rolling back on some of the government's climate commitments. Back home, Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces criticism over her warnings for the next budget, while she brings in experts to school Labour MPs on how budgets, debts, and deficits actually work. And there's a mini recess for Westminster, so Sam and Anne have an extra few days off. They return on Monday.

With a month to go until the Budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves needs to find a projected £30bn to balance the books. And the forecasts are not in her favour, with the OBR's bigger than expected productivity downgrade dealing another blow to the Treasury this week. So where will the chancellor find the money – and if Labour have no choice but to break their manifesto tax pledge, where will that leave them with the electorate? Host George Parker is joined by associate editor and columnist Stephen Bush, chief UK commentator Robert Shrimsley and the FT's economics editor Sam Fleming.Follow George: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Stephen at @stephenkb and Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social Want more? Reeves faces £20bn hit to public finances from productivity downgrade Keir Starmer puts Labour MPs on notice for Budget tax rises Starmer refuses to stand by manifesto tax pledge Letting agent admits mistake in Reeves' rental tax rowSign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek analysis. Get 30 days free.Plus, the FT is hosting a live webinar on November 28 on what the UK Budget will mean for your money. You can put questions to FT journalists Claer Barrett, Stuart Kirk, Tej Parikh and special guest, tax expert Dan Neidle. Get your free pass now at ft.com/budgetwebinar. Our email address is politicalfix@ft.comPolitical Fix was presented by George Parker and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The video engineers are Bianca Wakeman and Petros Gioumpasis. The FT's acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.Clip from BBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Autumn Budget looming, this week The Rundown takes a look at one of the key players in shaping the government's fiscal policy, but one that we know little about. The forecast on the future health of the British economy delivered to Rachel Reeves by the Office for Budget Responsibility will have more impact on shaping what the Chancellor announces next month than almost anything else, but who are the unelected panjandrums who sit on the independent body known as the OBR, how reliable are their economic estimations, and why do they hold so much sway over the Treasury?Joining host Alain Tolhurst to discuss whether the OBR really runs Britain, and if it needs reform, or perhaps abolition all together as some have suggested, is the Conservative former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, and Ben Zaranko, associate director at the think tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and Jeevun Sandher, a Labour MP and former member of the Treasury Select Committee.To sign up for our newsletters click hereAnd to submit your nomination for this year's Women in Westminster: The 100 list, click herePresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot

Chair of Judges for the 2026 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction, Baroness Thangam Debbonaire explains why the prize is so important; the enduring importance of democracy for women worldwide; and her formative years working in a communist bookshop.  Thangam is a Labour Member of the House of Lords, where her key interests include arts policy, international cultural partnerships and diplomacy, copyright and AI. A former Labour MP, she served as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from September 2023 until May 2024. Before parliament, Thangam worked for 25 years on the protection from - and prevention of - violence against women and girls, both nationally and internationally. She was recently announced as chair of the judging panel for the 2026 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction, sponsored by Findmypast.  Thangam's book choices are: ** The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford ** My Ántonia by Willa Cather ** Democracy: Eleven writers on what it is, and why it matters (ed. Margaret Atwood) ** Looking at Women Looking at War by Victoria Amelina ** My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season eight of the Women's Prize's Bookshelfie Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women's Prize for Fiction is the biggest celebration of women's creativity in the world and has been running for over 30 years.  Don't want to miss the rest of season eight? Listen and subscribe now! You can buy all books mentioned from our dedicated shelf on Bookshop.org - every purchase supports the work of the Women's Prize Trust and independent bookshops.  This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.

The former Labour MP and Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister for the Middle East Dr Kim Howells discusses the chances of the on-going peace process in the Middle East delivering for both the Palestinian and Israeli people. Plaid Cymru's leader at Westminster, Liz Saville Roberts MP looks back at her party's conference - the last before next May's Senedd elections. Paris-based commentator Nabila Ramdani assesses the prospects of France's new PM - who is the same as the old one - bringing political stability to the Republic. And the the UK's Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Eleanor Lyons looks back at 10 years of the Modern Slavery ActNeuroscientist Dr Emma Yhnell and Conservative Senedd candidate Adam Robinson review the papers.

It's conference season, and at the Labour conference in Liverpool - flagshagging, snake-oil merchants and leadership jockeying - is it Keir Starmer's final chance for a reset? Nish and Coco are joined by political journalist Zoë Grünewald. And later - as Trump reveals his plans for peace in Gaza, including a bizarre role for former PM Tony Blair - is the UK doing enough for Gaza? Nish speaks to Labour MP for Stroud, Dr Simon Opher, who earlier this month was denied entry into the occupied West Bank. Simon also fills Nish in on an innovative new prescription medicine - Laughter.  Finally - we open the mailbag to share your wonderful stories of immigration in the UK - and Nish furthers his feud with a beloved British comedy icon. CHECK OUT THIS DEAL FROM OUR SPONSOR https://www.shopify.co.uk/podsavetheuk  GUESTS Zoë Grünewald Simon Opher MP USEFUL LINKS I am an Immigrant Podcast https://iceandfire.co.uk/project/i-am-an-immigrant/ Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media. Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.uk BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.com Insta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheuk Twitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheuk Facebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest from around the racing world. With 100 Labour MPs inviting Rachel Reeves to impose much higher taxes on the gambling industry, Nick and Lydia once again consider the extent to which such hikes are inevitable, and explore the consequences in conversation with BetGoodwin boss Julian Head. Also today, Sam Haggas joins the show to discuss the two Book One Bonus winners that he purchased yesterday, with particular focus on his burgeoning association with owner George Waud. Plus, Nick and Lydia put this weekend's big races under the microscope, Timeform's Dan Barber calls for a return of a prize for the winningmost horse of the season, Mark Howard previews his 33rd edition of One Jump Ahead with some names to follow, and Sam Hoskins is the latest ROA board aspirant to attend the NLD hustings. Meanwhile, the BHA's Katie Carr drops in to discuss the sport's recently published environmental sustainability strategy.

More than 100 Labour MPs are calling this morning for the Government to put up gambling taxes to pay for scrapping the two child cap on universal credit. Lifting the cap would cost an estimated £3 billion a year. Chancellor Rachel Reeves already has a £20 to £30 billion deficit to try and balance in the November budget. So, should she do it? Anita Rani talks to Iain Watson, BBC Political Correspondent, and Director of policy, rights and advocacy at Child Poverty Action Group, Sara Ogilvie. Professor Edith Heard is the new Director of the Francis Crick Institute, the UK's flagship biomedical centre. Passionate about women's biology, she's taking over at a time when debates over science seem to get hotter by the day. Resources are under strain too, not just money in the midst of high inflation but also the pressure to keep the best scientists working here in the UK. She tells Woman's Hour about how she got here and her plans for the future.The Librarians is a new documentary examining the rise of campaign groups calling to ban books from school and public libraries in the USA. Anita talks to film maker Kym Snyder and librarian Amanda Jones.Oyinkan Braithwaite's debut novel My Sister the Serial Killer was nominated for the Women's and Booker prizes in 2019. Now she's back with another novel on similarly dark themes but explored in a markedly different way. Cursed Daughters is about a legacy of heartache and broken relationships that comes to define one family in Nigeria. She joins Anita.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Corinna Jones

Nigel Farage has unveiled his most radical immigration plan yet – scrapping indefinite leave to remain for migrants – in a move designed to reverse the so-called 'Boriswave.' James Heale explains how this would affect hundreds of thousands already living in the UK, why the party claims it could save £250 billion, and whether any of it is remotely feasible.Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has formally recognised Palestine as a state, a decision hailed by many Labour MPs but criticised by others as diplomatically reckless. And, to round off a busy political Monday morning, the government has approved a second runway at Gatwick – but will it really boost growth before the next election?Lucy Dunn speaks to James Heale and Tim Shipman. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.