Podcast appearances and mentions of Sam Coates

Keir Starmer is on the brink of resigning – the only question left is when does the drama end.After a tense weekend, the Prime Minister remains under intense pressure from his cabinet to quit, with Downing Street braced for the end of another short-lived premiership.Meanwhile, fresh from his Makerfield by-election victory, Andy Burnham returns to Westminster. But can the King of the North pull off a smooth succession to No10?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have inside information from both the Starmer and Burnham camps on whether Labour can manage a seamless transition or whether a brutal leadership battle lies ahead.Plus, if there is to be a handover of power in the coming weeks, what are the pro and cons?

Andy Burnham has secured a thumping victory in the Makerfield by-election – but is it game over for Keir Starmer?With a critical few days ahead, attention now turns to Labour's cabinet ministers, MPs and party members. Who could make the first move to oust the Prime Minister?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have inside information from team Burnham and assess whether a ‘bloodless coup' is really possible or whether rivals like Wes Streeting could disrupt the plan?Is this really Labour's last chance to reconnect with voters and could Andy Burnham reset the party's fortunes?Plus: are the Conservatives showing signs of a comeback after their surprise win in Aberdeen South?Is the SNP continuing to pay the political price for the fallout from the Peter Murrell saga?

With just 24 hours until polling day, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy preview three pivotal by-elections that could reshape British politics.The duo assess the contests in Makerfield, Aberdeen South and Arbroath & Broughty Ferry, exploring:Why Makerfield has become one of the most closely watched by-elections in recent political historyHow the Conservatives hope to capitalise on support for the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen SouthWhy Arbroath & Broughty Ferry is a crucial test of the SNP's ability to fend off Labour's challengeAway from the campaign trail, Anne brings the latest intelligence from the UK-EU summit as political tensions continue to build in Westminster.Plus, is the cabinet starting to forge a path for the future without Keir Starmer?Sam and Anne will return on Friday morning for a special de-brief episode to discuss the impact of the by-election results on British politics.The candidates standing in Makerfield by-election can be found here.The candidates standing in Aberdeen South by-election can be found here.The candidates standing in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election can be found here.

As world leaders gather at the G7 summit – what's Keir Starmer's top priority? With tensions in the Middle East, a trade dispute with China, a continuing war in Ukraine and Russia's apparent involvement in arson attacks on homes and a car linked to Keir Starmer, the PM has his hands full.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy assess whether Starmer can turn high-level diplomacy into meaningful progress.The duo also examine the latest polling data, which suggests Andy Burnham remains the only Labour figure the public sees as a potentially stronger Prime Minister than Starmer. Plus, does Wes Streeting have the support to mount a leadership challenge if Labour's succession debate begins?

Andy Burnham's political opponents are finding plenty of attack lines to throw at him. So, are past comments and policy positions – from WASPI women to calls for an early election – coming back to haunt the Burnham campaign?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy also wonder who is to blame for Keir Starmer's troubles? Well, according to a focus group of Labour members – it's all the media's fault!The duo unpack the mood within the party and the continued paralysis at the heart of government – affecting everything from the delayed reset of relations with the EU to the even more delayed Defence Investment Plan.You can see all the candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

Has the unrest in Belfast sparked a new political battle over Britain's immigration systemPolitical leaders have condemned the violent overnight protest after a Sudanese national was charged with attempted murder of a man in the city.With parties scrambling to seize control of the narrative, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine how the case has reignited questions about immigration, border security and the UK's system of indefinite leave to remain.Elsewhere, Nigel Farage holds his first major news conference since the local and national elections. Will Reform face renewed scrutiny over immigration decisions made by some of its leading figures during their time in Conservative government?You can find the full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

Is Andy Burnham having trouble putting clear teal water between himself and Nigel Farage, following comments calling for a tougher stance on immigration?Sam Coates has more from Manchester on the state of the Burnham campaign and how his movements after the Makerfield by-election remain unclear.Meanwhile, Anne McElvoy delves deeper into the defence dilemma – with military chiefs still reportedly in the dark over the contents of the Defence Investment Plan.As Defence Secretary John Healey prepares to argue that Britain needs to build more military equipment at home, questions remain over whether the government has the money and political will to fund its ambition.Plus, the duo check in on the latest polling numbers – did Reform UK's bold response to the Henry Nowak killing fail to resonate with voters? You can see a full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

Can Keir Starmer wrestle back the spotlight from the Makerfield by-election?After hosting world leaders in Downing Street and unveiling new plans for social media restrictions on children, the Prime Minister is trying to reclaim the agenda. But is the political attention still fixed on Andy Burnham in Manchester?Sam Coates is on the ground in Manchester where the Labour bigwigs are out in force to support Burnham's campaign. However, can the party balance the message for local voters while appealing to a national audience?Plus, Anne McElvoy has some details on the delayed Defence Investment Plan as ministers race for a solution ahead of a key NATO summit next month. A full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election can be found here.

With two weeks until the Makerfield by-election, does Andy Burnham really have a plan in place to run the country?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the policy ideas – including an ambitious expansion of social housing construction – which could form a future leadership pitch.Back in Westminster, the duo assess the fierce political fallout from the murder of Henry Nowak after a tense PMQs. What does Nigel Farage's intervention mean for the government and policing?Plus, has the Prime Minister's chief ally, Darren Jones, been dragged into the Peter Mandelson scandal – with the release of a series of mysterious texts?You can see the full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

Westminster may look busy but are MPs just waiting for the potential return of Andy Burnham?With the Makerfield by-election just over a week away Burnham insists he's focussed on winning the seat. But behind the scenes allies are already developing ideas that could underpin a future bid for No10.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at who is moulding the Burnham project and why certain plans for the economy and AI are attracting growing scrutiny from Westminster and the City.You can get the full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election here.

What has Starmer loyalist Pat McFadden really been thinking when he's been out defending the PM?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss how the latest Mandelson drop makes for an awkward morning in cabinet.And they've lines from Labour's deputy leader, Lucy Powell, from a podcast recording last night. Was she hinting that a leadership coronation is better than a leadership contest?Plus, our latest voting intention poll shows Labour's Reform challenge isn't going away.You can listen to the Matt Forde Political Party podcast here.

Andy Burnham makes his opening pitch to the voters of Makerfield but is he already in campaign mode for PM, as well as MP? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss his launch video.Back in London, there's a cabinet meeting this morning. Just how awkward will that be for Keir Starmer? Especially with those who were pushing him to have a plan to leave office.And what happens over the next few weeks in government if a minister has said that don't want the PM and the PM doesn't have confidence in a minister?

Will it be a ‘showdown' when Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting meet today? Or does the King's Speech calm Labour's passions for 24 hours?Sam Coates and McElvoy wonder if any Labour leadership has got a bit stuck after a dramatic day of resignations. Because if Streeting doesn't have the numbers and Andy Burnham doesn't even have a Commons seat – what can anyone do?Plus, amongst the pomp and pageantry the duo look at the substance of the King's Speech – what bills are the ones to look out for?

Will today's cabinet showdown push Keir Starmer to make a final decision on his future?And will that mean Wes Streeting starts a leadership campaign?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy go over the dynamics of the cabinet meeting and who of the 32 is thinking what – with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood the most blunt so far about the PM needing to go.They also go over what they're hearing from those who want any contest to be quick – and from those who want a longer game, with Andy Burnham involved.

Is Keir Starmer a passenger and not a driver in his own government? At the end of a week of crisis management - with a sacked official spilling the beans on the grubby business of the Mandelson appointment - the charge against the Prime Minister that's really stuck is that somehow he's never in control of anything within his own government.Can Starmer weather this out? Or are his cabinet colleagues just playing a waiting game until after the local elections two weeks today? We talk to Sam Coates from Sky News who's had his ear to the ground.Later - what did royal protection officers around Prince Andrew actually see? Is it possible they guarded Andrew whilst he was with Epstein without asking any questions? The Crime Agents' Andy Hughes has an exclusive interview.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Top civil servant Olly Robbins has been sacked after his department did not inform the prime minister that Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting for the role of US ambassador.Opposition parties are calling on the prime minister to resign but Sir Keir Starmer is insisting he wasn't told, in an "unforgivable" omission.He's due to speak to MPs in parliament on Monday, and address the accusations he misled them over the process of Mandelson's appointment.But who is Olly Robbins, the man who has lost his job over the latest Mandelson revelation and is he being used as a fall guy? And how toxic will the row be for Sir Keir?Niall talks to hosts of fellow Sky podcast Politics at Sam and Anne's, Anne McElvoy, executive editor at Politico and Sky's deputy political editor, Sam Coates.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

The reinvention of Robert Jenrick reached what could be a career-defining milestone after he was sacked from the Tory party and walked into the arms of Nigel Farage's Reform UK. The manner of his departure created a political earthquake - but his defection will surprise few who have been following his career. From his drastic weight loss to climbing lampposts with flaggers - who is Mr Jenrick and how has he tried to scale the political ladder? Niall is joined by co-host of Politics at Sam and Anne's, Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates, and Nottinghamshire Live editor Natalie Fahy. Producers: Tom Gillespie & Natalie Ktena Editor: Mike Bovill

Some stories don't fit neatly into a redemption arc. Melvin Cole's is one of them.On the latest episode of Drive By with Sam Coates, Cole, founder of PURE Academy in Memphis, shares a raw, unpolished account of growing up in extreme poverty, entering the drug trade at age 11, surviving gun violence and ultimately choosing a radically different path. Raised by a heroin-addicted grandmother in South Memphis, Cole lost his sister as a toddler due to a medical misdiagnosis, experienced childhood sexual abuse and became a father at just 14. Survival wasn't a philosophy: it was daily reality.Football once offered a way out. Cole earned a college scholarship and had NFL aspirations, until a drug deal gone wrong left him shot in the head and back. What followed was prison, where witnessing a brutal assault became a spiritual breaking point. In a moment of desperation, Cole made a promise: if he survived, he would dedicate his life to saving young men headed down the same road.When he was released after serving time for cocaine trafficking, Cole dug up more than $500,000 he had buried during his time dealing drugs, money he once saw as a retirement plan. Instead of returning to the streets, he used it to build PURE Academy, a year-round boarding school for at-risk Black boys in Memphis that focuses on discipline, structure, emotional intelligence, agriculture, academics and faith.Today, PURE Academy serves 61 students on full scholarship, operates on a $3.7 million budget and boasts an 83% college matriculation rate. Cole is candid about the challenges that remain — the temptation of his former life, frustrations with nonprofit systems and the emotional toll of leadership. But his mission is clear: remove boys from environments that trap them in cycles of poverty and give them the tools to build something better.This episode isn't polished inspiration. It's an honest conversation about trauma, responsibility, faith and what it actually takes to change outcomes: not just for individuals, but for communities.Episode Highlights“I Started Selling Drugs at 11 — Not to Rebel, But to Survive”Cole explains how poverty and fatherhood at 14 pushed him into the drug trade as a calculated business decision, not teenage rebellion.The Moment Prison Changed EverythingWitnessing a violent assault behind bars led to a desperate prayer and a life-altering promise that would shape PURE Academy's mission.Burying $500K — Then Digging It Up for a SchoolThe drug money Cole once viewed as his future became the seed funding for a boarding school instead of a return to crime.Inside PURE Academy's Daily DisciplineFrom 6 a.m. workouts and meditation to academics and agriculture, Cole breaks down how structure, not charity, changes lives.“You Feed One of Two Wolves”Cole speaks openly about the ongoing internal battle between his past and present, including why success doesn't erase temptation — but purpose keeps him grounded.

Three things from Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy to start your political day.What the government is having to deal with – the unpredictability of Donald Trump.Just as Britain signs up to troops in Ukraine if there's a peace deal, it's having to use its best diplomatic language on what the President's thinking about Greenland.What the government wants to deal with – publishing the road safety strategy which is something every driver will have a view on.What some government sources are thinking – Sam's got a story about whether AI is to blame for a massive rise in the number of Written Questions in the Commons.You can vote for Politics at Sam and Anne's in the people's choice category at the Political Podcast Awards here - https://politicalpodcastawards.co.uk/the-peoples-choice-award/

The Chancellor's on manoeuvres – talking in a new interview about “necessary choices” around the budget. Rachel Reeves says she needs to be “candid” and doesn't want to “simply accept” forecasts – but to “defy them”. With four weeks to go to the budget, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy ponder what she might be up to. They also have some sums on how the government might fill a black hole coming in above £30bn. Will Labour manifesto pledges be breached?Elsewhere, Keir Starmer chooses a Labour veteran to lead their election campaigns next May. Spencer Livermore will take on the task.

As Labour sinks to record lows in the latest YouGov poll, and the Chancellor wrestles with how to fill a £20billion budget gap, Keir Starmer's government faces fresh pressure on migration, the economy and trust. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy break down the day's biggest stories in British politics.

A bruising weekend for Keir Starmer: Labour loses its stronghold Caerphilly seat to Plaid Cymru in a by-election and faces fallout from the mistaken release and chaotic recapture of a convicted sex offender. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack what went wrong, as a damning report on the asylum system slams the Home Office. Plus, Lucy Powell makes her debut as Labour's new deputy leader Chancellor Rachel Reeves has left the country to try to push through a Gulf trade deal. Will she be successful?

What is parliament's role in what happens to Prince Andrew from here?With Virginia Giuffre's book released today and new reports that he's not paid rent on the Royal Lodge in Windsor for two decades – Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss how uncomfortable Westminster might be feeling about the former trade envoy.  Outside of London, how are the parties feeling about this week's Senedd by-election in Caerphilly?  Plus, in our weekly check-in on polling, are the Greens cutting through with the voters and could that be encouraging Keir Starmer to change his plans for the COP summit in Brazil?  There's a full list of candidates standing in the Senedd by-election in Caerphilly here: https://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/my-council/voting-and-elections/forthcoming-elections-2025/election-notices/senedd-by-election-caerphilly-constituency   

As MPs return to Westminster for a packed autumn term, will the Prime Minister be back with a bang?  Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy discuss what are Keir Starmer's priorities as the so called “reset week” begins.  There's chatter around No10 of a staffing restructure but could this impact the government's message and delivery of their missions?  Back in the Commons, the Home Secretary will lay out the government's plans to restrict family members from joining asylum seekers.   

Reform UK has outlined its plan to tackle the small boats crisis, which would include detaining and deporting all illegal migrants arriving in the UK. Leader Nigel Farage says his party is willing to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, repeal the Human Rights Act and disapply the 1951 UN Refugee Convention for five years to remove barriers to deportations. On today's Sky News Daily, Sophy Ridge is joined by Sky's deputy political editor, Sam Coates, to discuss whether Reform's proposals could work. Producer: Emily Hulme Editor: Mike Bovill 

What is it really like to govern in summer? Who is in charge when ministers leave Westminster? And what happens when, as it so often does, the summer isn't all that quiet?   The Inside Briefing podcast team have headed into the vaults to dig out a special episode from 2021 featuring Sky's Sam Coates, former (and future) minister Jacqui Smith, journalist Steve Richards and former No10 adviser Kate Fall.   So join us we return to a time when Boris Johnson was prime minister, Keir Starmer was barely a year into his tenure as leader of the opposition, and Nigel Farage was a few months into his recently announced retirement from politics and busy making Cameo messages.    Presented by Hannah White and Alex Thomas. Original podcast recording by PodmastersUpdated edits by Candice McKenzie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Government announces the “Reed Reforms” to fix Britain's water system, but will it make a difference?  Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy consider if customers' bills will go down and what practical changes will be made.  The Prime Minister meets with two world leaders later this week ahead of the parliamentary summer recess.  Plus, we hear about an unexpected visitor in the Coates household. 

The Prime Minister suspends four Labour MPs for “persistent breaches of discipline” as the fallout from the welfare reforms continues.  Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy discuss who they are, why now and what was the point, as the government attempts to restore order on the backbenches.   Keir Starmer also welcomes German Chancellor – Friedrich Merz – to London, in the hope of signing a wide-ranging bilateral cooperation treaty.  Plus, the PM's missions reappear on the agenda as he makes a speech at the first Civil Society Summit. 

With the Chancellor set to make a keynote speech to the City at Mansion House - are her fiscal rules as iron clad as we thought?  Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy explore what options are on the table for Rachel Reeves to fill the large black hole in the public finances.  Across the pond, Donald Trump says he “likes” Keir Starmer, even though “he's a liberal” - as he puts pressure on Vladimir Putin to sign a ceasefire agreement.  Plus, the government pushes a new scheme to promote the purchase of electric cars, but it will make a difference? 

The Chancellor is back out on the road to start the government's re-launch week, ahead of the parliamentary recess.  In today's episode, Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy explain how comments on a proposed wealth tax by Rachel Reeves' cabinet colleagues may have already put her in a tricky situation.   Elsewhere, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Windsor Castle will host U.S. President – Donald Trump – for a second unprecedented state visit in September. 

Ex-Conservative chairman and friend of Boris Johnson - Sir Jake Berry – is defecting to Reform UK, causing more problems for Kemi Badenoch.  On today's episode, Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy discuss if his defection will divide parts of Reform policy.  Elsewhere, the Anglo-French summit gets underway, as the Prime Minister hopes to announce a migration deal with the French President to deter small boat crossings.  Plus, chatter around Whitehall that No10 are considering a pre-summer reshuffle, but will it have any value? 

After yesterday's royal welcome from King Charles, President Macron will get down to business today, meeting the Prime Minister for lunch, after PMQs.  But, as Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy discuss on this episode, away from the pomp, Keir Starmer's in-tray doesn't look any less challenging.   It includes a headache for health secretary Wes Streeting as resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, announce a new strike as well as a punchy warning from the OBR on making promises to the public.  Also today. the Welfare Bill returns to the Commons – with reports of another rebellion brewing.  

The first European state visit since Brexit starts today – as President Macron arrives at Windsor Castle.   On this episode, Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy look at what's on the agenda beyond the pomp and ceremony. Will the government get its “one in, one out” migration deal over the line?  Plus, which one of our presenters needs to make a confession about the 2008 French state visit? 

Could Westminster be on for a quieter week?Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy ponder that as the Prime Minister takes stock after the welfare rebellion - with some in the party telling Sam they're just focussing on getting to recess before a September reset.But the issue they can't shake off - will there be tax rises? With the Chancellor's black hole adding up to far more than £5.5bn - is there any other choice, In fact, could that black hole be more like £20bn?And which taxes would they be?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.   After Chancellor Rachel Reeves was seen visibly sobbing in PMQs, the Prime Minister last night confirmed she would be Chancellor for a long time to come – but will that be enough to calm fears in the markets? And what do we think is really going on with the Chancellor? Sam and Anne discuss.   And what about Keir Starmer's fate – are some in his own party questioning his longevity?  Also, the NHS 10-year plan includes the creation of 200 new neighbourhood health centres as well as improvements to the NHS app – but does it improve the fundamentals?  

The Prime Minister fended off losing a Commons vote on welfare changes but wakes up with a massive repair job to do within his party – and economically.  Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy wonder what the consequences will be after those last-minute concessions to keep Labour MPs on side.   There'll be new ways of balancing the finances (could they be filling a black hole by sending more?) but ALSO a post-mortem of how the government misjudged the mood of its own MPs. 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. Its judgement day for the government's welfare bill and it's unclear from all sides whether the legislation will pass, despite billions of pounds worth of concessions from the Prime Minister to win over his backbench MPs. The bill could lead to Sir Keir Starmer's largest rebellion so far, exactly one year on from the day that he came into power, leaving questions about his credibility and authority to govern. 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. The Prime Minister has made significant concessions on the welfare bill after the threat of a mass rebellion from his own MPs. The changes have left Chancellor Rachel Reeves with another black hole in the public finances and some MPs are still planning on voting against the bill when it comes in front of the House of Commons tomorrow. Also, as Sir Keir Starmer celebrates his first full year in power, has this latest U-turn left him in a vulnerable position with his party and the wider public? 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. In a statement sent to Sam overnight, the government admits that concessions are on their way after an internal struggle over welfare reforms inside the Labour Party. It seems like meaningful talks are under way. Next Tuesday - the day of a supposed crunch vote on disability cuts that could have seen the government lose a vote - could now be just "the start". As Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to row back on savings, how much of the £5bn she wanted to save will she forgo? And why does this government always seem to be U-turning?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.  Today, Labour is still reeling by a rebellion by 1 in 4 of its MPs over welfare cuts, how can Chancellor Rachel Reeves and PM Keir Starmer recover the numbers and avoid a political humiliation?  The government's working majority is 165, so it only takes 83 Labour MPs to vote with a united opposition and this bill is dead, and along with it a lot of this government's political and moral credibility.  And Sam been sent a draft of part of the latest NHS 10-year plan about alcohol treatment. 

On this episode – what advice is Keir Starmer getting over Britain's potential involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict?  There are reports that the Attorney General's legal advice to the PM is to limit what it does to protect its allies from attack - Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy discuss the implications of that.  Plus, we hear David Lammy will get a meeting with his Iranian counterpart as part of a diplomatic push to prevent war. Foreign ministers from Germany and France will join the meeting in Geneva. 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.  They start by picking over what Keir Starmer had to say about the potential for an American attack on Iran – which sounded rather different from the line his German counterpart was taking. So what was going on there then?  Back in Westminster, the details of benefit cuts which will impact millions get published – the government needs to convince dozens of Labour MPs to back the plan.   And HS2 slows down – we'll hear today that the new line will be delayed beyond 2033. 

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.  President Donald Trump's made a hasty exit from the G7 conference in Canada leaving questions about collective diplomacy and his promise to bring peace to an increasingly violent Middle East.  The White House insists his return is to deal with "important matters", while Mr Trump himself has hinted his swift exit is for something “big”.  How will Keir Starmer and allies navigate talks following the US president's departure? Progress has been made on car tariffs and aerospace, but where does this leave the rest of the US-UK trade deal?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. The prime minister is in Canada at the G7 as conflict escalates in the Middle East. Can Sir Keir Starmer contain any further flare-ups between Donald Trump and other allies and attempt to bring some calm to the region?The prime minister is also set to authorise a national inquiry into grooming gangs, six months after he said people calling for one were "jumping on the bandwagon". It comes after a national inquiry was recommended by Baroness Louise Casey in her 200-page report, which is due to be published today. How will Sir Keir respond to the rapid review?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. Rachel Reeves has said this morning that the latest GDP figures showing the UK economy has shrunk by more than expected are "disappointing".How much will this overshadow yesterday's major spending announcement?Reeves has now planted Labour's fiscal flag in the sand - and spending mistakes from here on in certainly cannot be blamed on their predecessors. How will Labour react to a potential internal revolt over disability benefit cuts? And how will the party manage the politics around expected tax rises in the autumn?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics.After weeks of haggling between government ministers, Labour announce today how they plan to apportion cash around departments for the foreseeable future.Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Labour say this comes as the government has "fixed the foundations" and introduced stability to the economy. They say the economy is "turning a corner". But is that totally true? And which sectors are the big winners and losers from this major statement of intent from Labour?

Sky News' Sam Coates and Politico's Anne McElvoy serve up their essential guide to the day in British politics. Negotiations for the spending review are complete - with reports Chancellor Rachel Reeves has refused to meet Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's demand for extra police funding.We won't have heard the end of this. Reform UK hold (another!) news conference, and the government announces its intentions to go nuclear - "ushering in a new golden age of nuclear [power]".

 The chancellor presents the spending review next week where she will outline how the budget will be divided for government departments between 2026 and 2029. Rachel Reeves says she has an extra £113bn of capital to play with.    But with so many promises and projects dependent on the cash, how does she decide who will win and who will lose?    On today's Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Sky News' deputy political editor, Sam Coates, who has used AI to predict how the chancellor might spend the cash. Producer: Emily Hulme Editor: Rosie Gillot   

As we kick off our new sermon series on 'Small Acts, Big Hearts,' associate Vicar Katherine Chow sits down with Senior Leader, Sam Coates to discuss Jesus' Manifesto.

The prime minister today announced a plan to reduce net migration as he warned the UK risks becoming an "island of strangers".   Sir Keir Starmer wants to bring in tougher English language tests and tighten overseas carer recruitment as part of his policy overhaul to “tighten up” the immigration system.    On this episode of the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson is joined by our deputy political editor Sam Coates to discuss whether this is a change in direction for the government after suffering losses in the local elections.   Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont