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Join Chris Fletcher and Lucy Mulligan as they dive into the Chamber's critical role in shaping policy — and why it matters to you.
How do you plan for the scientific discoveries of the future? That's the question Chancellor Rachel Reeves had to try to answer with this week's Spending Review. She allocated more than 22 billion pounds a year by 2029/30 for research and development which was described as a boost for science. Robin Bisson, UK News Editor for news website Research Professional News, and Dr Alicia Greated, Executive Director at the charity Campaign for Science and Engineering in the UK, explain where the money will go.As the UN's Ocean Conference continues in Nice, France, we get the latest developments from Science and Climate Correspondent Esme Stallard, before diving into a kelp forest in our own UK waters with reporter Graihagh Jackson. It's hoped that encouraging the seaweed could help sequester carbon dioxide. We hear about the dinosaur discovery that's rewriting the evolutionary story of the Tyrannosaurus Rex with University of Calgary palaeontologists Professor Darla Zelenitsky and Jared Voris.And journalist Caroline Steel is in the studio with her round up of science stories straight from the researcher's labs.
The government has hinted that scrapping the 2-child benefit cap may no longer be possible after Labour rebels forced a u-turn on welfare changes last week. The head of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, has said radical reform is essential - because of what he called the disappointing settlement for policing in the government's Spending Review. And India's cricketers have levelled the series against England at Edgbaston.
The Government's fiscal events have had a shaky start so far. The Autumn Budget unveiled £41 billion of tax rises by 2029-30, while the Spring Statement was dominated by controversial welfare reform that will hit poorer families the hardest. The Spending Review provides a fresh opportunity to focus on growth and living standards, as it sets out the details of over £40 billion additional annual day-to-day public service spending, and over £100 billion worth of infrastructure funding. But with Britain facing the strong headwinds of global economic turbulence and strained public services, will it be third time lucky for the Chancellor? Has the Government boosted public services across the board, or has the NHS taken the lion's share of the cash? Has public investment centred on repairing Britain's fraying social infrastructure – its schools, hospitals and housing stock – or building new economic and energy infrastructure? Have limited resources been effectively prioritised to support growth and improve living standards? And how might the Spending Review shape the upcoming Budget this Autumn?
Streets Ahead's presenters, well at least two of them, have been gallivanting around Europe in recent weeks, coming back together in this episode as a trio to embark on an audio roam through some of the current topics in cycling. From the link between bike racing and everyday cycling, to the spending review's implications, to the rise of 'fake e-bikes', a recent report which Laura and Adam worked on, we have it all here.Links from the show:The Robert Frost poem, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42891/stopping-by-woods-on-a-snowy-eveningCycling superstar, Cat Ferguson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_FergusonThe Spending Review: https://transportactionnetwork.org.uk/spending-review-cuts-active-travel-funding-by-40/Transport for New Homes' research on car dependency in new housing. https://www.transportfornewhomes.org.uk/the-project/building-car-dependency/ and its award for the Bath Riverside housing development: https://www.transportfornewhomes.org.uk/transport-for-new-homes-award-bath-riverside/And the recent e-bike report, by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Walking and Cycling, authored by Laura Laker: https://appgcw.org/resources/inquiries/unregulated-and-unsafe-the-threat-of-illegal-e-bikes/For ad-free listening, behind-the-scenes and bonus content and to help support the podcast - head to (https://www.patreon.com/StreetsAheadPodcast). We'll even send you some stickers! We're also on BlueSky and welcome your feedback on our episode: https://bsky.app/profile/podstreetsahead.bsky.social Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The next two episodes of the #RadicalReformers podcast will be a bit different (and hopefully a treat for the public service reform nerds out there!). They will focus on “Relational practice” and “Place working”. A couple of weeks ago, Andrew spent time with the leading relational practice experts from the UK and further afield at the PERU “Towards Relational Public services” conference in Manchester and recorded snippets with some of the keynote speakers and attendees. Relational practice is fast becoming the foundational element of all sensible public service reform thinking and in this episode you will hear from the best in the field including Rob Wilson, Kathy Evans, Emma Lord, Ron Charlton, Toby Lowe and Wendy Lansdown. The second public service reform special will focus on “Place working” and will unpack the findings of an LGA report the Mutual Ventures team and Re:State were commissioned to produce. Andrew will be joined by Dr Simon Kaye Prof Donna Hall and the LGA's Eve Roodhouse. Keep an eye out for this in a couple of weeks. The team Mutual Ventures believe relational practice and place working are two sides of the same coin and essential if we are to shift towards prevention, reduce demand/cost across the system and re-establish trust between public services and communities. The good news is real progress is being made on the policy front. Throughout both episodes, we reference the “test, learn and grow” principles produced by the Cabinet Office, the Spending Review policy announcement on “Community Help Partnerships” and the recent Public Service Reform Strategy from the Scottish Government. Relational practice and place working feature heavily in the Radical Place Leadership work the MV team have been doing in areas such as South Ayrshire, North East Lincolnshire and Brent and also forms a big part of the reform support we are providing as part of the local government reform process. Enjoy it!
What happens when politics clashes with family life? Ed Balls and George Osborne take on big questions this week, starting with Michael Gove's ex-wife, Sarah Vine, who asks whether David Cameron should have stayed on after Brexit. Her daughter Beatrice wants to know if Ed and George would still choose a political career, given its toll on family and friends.The pair also hear from an anonymous listener fighting for answers about the Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash, and discuss why the documents have been sealed for a century and what that means for the families seeking the truth.Plus, a listener challenges the logic of ring-fencing certain government department in the Spending Review. And fellow podcaster Jimmy McCloughlin asks how AI is really shaking up the economy, and what Ed and George have been using it for lately.To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:
One week on from the Chancellor's Spending Review, our Programme Director Stephanie Pollitt is joined by Ian McDermott, Chief Executive of Peabody, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing housing providers in the capital and how the Government's stretching 1.5 million new homes target can be made a reality. The pair discuss all the latest on the Affordable Homes Programme, rent convergence, proposals to extend the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead and much else besides. Follow us on Twitter at @_businessLDN and on LinkedIn at BusinessLDN. Music is provided by Coma-Media.
On this week's episode of Top in Tech, Megan Stagman, Director, is joined by Fergus Cameron-Watt, Senior Associate, to unpack the UK government's recent spending review and its implications for the tech sector. Megan and Fergus explore how the Spending Review reflects the government's shifting priorities, with notable gains for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the backing of the new sovereign AI unit. They assess what these developments mean for start-ups, digital infrastructure, and tech suppliers to the government, and situate this in the context of a flurry of forthcoming strategies (including the Industrial Strategy and the Digital and AI Roadmap). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Naomi Smith and Alex Andreou, with special guest, economist Vicky Pryce take a detailed look at the Spending Review. Does the ambition match the maths? And in Part II, we ask whether, before we have another inquiry, we need to question whether this slow, expensive model achieves change or actually impedes it. Plus 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'. ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** “Infrastructure matters hugely. If you want to be competitive and have an economy with high productivity you have to put the infrastructure in place.” “What this new government really should have done is immediately reversed the National Insurance contribution cut that Jeremy Hunt gave just before the election. That twenty billion accounts for most of the black hole they found when they came into power.” “Public inquiries have become a tool for governments to put distance between themselves and the problem. Instead of being an instrument for change, they are a way to take energy out of a push for change.” “Often, the very people screaming about rape gangs are the same people saying, we shouldn't have age-appropriate sex education, the very people denying children agency over their own bodies, denying them education to give them the language to be able to talk to someone who can help.” “It seems utterly bizarre to end up in a situation where the Prime Minister says: ‘Well, I read the report and it convinced me," and everyone's reaction is: ‘What? This is outrageous!'” CALLS TO ACTION Buy Vicky's books - and support a local bookshop - at our online bookstore. Read about the work of Campaign for The Arts here. Find out more about the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) here. GRIN AND SHARE IT Discover more about nano-needle technology! ***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD*** With Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell. A Cooler Heads production, in cahoots with Sandstone Global. Email us at quietriotpod@gmail.com. Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The NFU has confirmed it sent a private letter to the Prime Minister, raising concerns over a prospective trade deal with the Gulf States. It said the deal could open the UK up to imports of low-welfare meat from the Gulf, and more importantly, many other countries around the world. Although meat from the Gulf States might come up to UK hygiene standards, some welfare groups are concerned about the conditions animals are kept in, and the intensive nature of production, especially poultry.Annual payments farmers in England receive based on the amount of land they have will be capped at just £600 next year. New details have emerged after last week's Spending Review.And there's evidence that humans have been using seaweed as a fertiliser for thousands of years. When chemical fertilisers were developed a century ago, that use of seaweed largely died out, but for some, it's making a comeback.Presented by Anna Hill Produced by Heather Simons
The June news podcast for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists featuring Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs. Published 16 June 2025. In our update this month:- What the Chancellor's Spending Review means for speech and language therapy;- Developments across the UK covering children; the Health Select Committee First 1,000 days of Life inquiry; involvement in the UK Parliament modernisation committee; Integrated Care Board blueprint; and the Northern Ireland curriculum.- Voice Box competition in Scotland: winner of the best joke is announced. This year's winning joke came from Ezra: “I bought 10 bees, but I was given 11 bees. So, I said to the beekeeper, ‘Why is there an extra bee?' The beekeeper said, ‘That one's a freebie.'” - #RockingAphasia https://www.facebook.com/RockingAphasia/?locale=en_GB - Inspire Leadership programme for RCSLT members: https://www.rcslt.org/news/rcslt-leadership-programme-applications-open/This interview was conducted by Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at The Royal College of Speech and produced and edited by freelance producer Jacques Strauss.Please be aware that the views expressed are those of the guests and not the RCSLT.Please do take a few moments to respond to our podcast survey: uk.surveymonkey.com/r/LG5HC3R
Pippa Crerar of The Guardian assesses the latest developments at Westminster. Pippa takes a closer look at Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spending Review with the former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Conservative MP John Glen and Labour's Dame Siobhain McDonagh, who sits on the Treasury Select Committee. How to prepare for an ageing society is the subject of an inquiry by the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee and Pippa discusses this with Labour peer, Stewart Wood, who chairs the committee and Daily Telegraph columnist Annabel Denham. Pippa interviews the Big Issue founder and crossbench peer, John Bird about the scrapping of the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act which will decriminalise rough sleeping in England and Wales. And, following the government's u-turn on winter fuel this week, David Gauke who was a Treasury minister at the time of what became known as the omnishambles budget under George Osborne and former BBC presenter Carolyn Quinn discuss famous political u-turns.
This week Roger Holman and Neil Insull discuss the Chancellor's Spending Review and pose the critical question on everyone's mind: "Where is the money coming from?" As opposition parties warn of a "cruel summer" filled with speculation. Roger and Neil also examine the logic and fairness of recovering Winter Fuel payments from pensioners through the tax system. Will HMRC really pursue thousands of small debts? They also look at the case of former darts world champion Rob Cross, who has been disqualified from serving as a company director after failing to pay over £450,000 in taxes. With no further penalties imposed, is this the level of enforcement the public expects?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Economist Andrew Lilico casts a sharp eye over the Chancellor's first Spending Review — and finds it lacking. Beyond the rhetoric, the message is sobering: health spending is set to surge while almost every other department faces quiet, compounding cuts. The NHS will grow to dominate Britain's public finances — even as Rachel Reeves eyes new tax rises to make the numbers add up. So, what happens when the backlash begins? Tune in for a clear-eyed take on the week's most important speech.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The government's Spending Review has been published and Wake Up to Money has been combing through the detail. Will Bain goes through the highlights with Kevin Brundish, chief executive of the battery scale-up company Lionvolt; Emma Wall, head of platform investments at Hargreaves Lansdown; and Simon French, chief economist at Panmure Liberum.With technology, AI and nuclear energy getting boosts in investment in this spending round, we also hear from former boss of both Rolls Royce and semiconductor design firm ARM, Warren East.Plus, a new report from Deloitte suggests that the English football system is "under strain," even though Europe's 'Big Five' leagues are collectively breaking records. Deloitte Sports Business Group's head of insights, Jennifer Haskel, explains why.
What difference will the healthcare and defence budget increases make?Where does it leave other departments? Will we ever catch up on infrastructure and research investment to be the economic powerhouse we want to be? Robert and Steph discuss the Spending Review and why Robert had to read 7 lengthy documents to get any useful detail. We appreciate your feedback on The Rest Is Money to help make the podcast and our partnerships better: https://opinion-v2.askattest.com/app/41f5060f-0f52-45bc-bf86-bf3c9793618e?language=ENG Sign up to our newsletter to get more stories from the world of business and finance. Email: restismoney@gmail.com X: @TheRestIsMoney Instagram: @TheRestIsMoney TikTok: @RestIsMoney https://goalhanger.com Visit: https://monzo.com/therestismoney/ Assistant Producer: India Dunkley, Alice Horrell Producer: Ross Buchanan Head of Content: Tom Whiter Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Chancellor's been defending the Spending Review, and she's determined not to lose hope despite gloomy GDP figures. But can she escape a summer of speculation about tax rises to come? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Rachel Reeves plans are not a quick fix but thats the point Bus fares to jobs Seven ways the Spending Review affects you UK agrees post Brexit deal over Gibraltar Solar Orbiter spacecraft snaps first images of Suns south pole Ballymena Significant police presence to continue after mob violence Brian Wilson, co creator of iconic 1960s band the Beach Boys, dies aged 82 Israeli forces recover bodies of two hostage in Gaza, PM says Rachel Reeves boosts NHS and housing as some budgets squeezed Harvey Weinstein found guilty of sexual assault after New York retrial Newspaper headlines Spending Review renewing Britain or reckless splurge
It's the morning after one of (perhaps the) most significant days in this government's lifetime to date. Gideon Skinner of IPSOS joins the podcast team to weigh up what Rachel Reeves' Spending Review told us about the government's priorities – and how it has landed with the electorate. Which departments will be happy and which will be feeling hard done by? What does it mean for public service performance across the country? Has the much-heralded vision of mission-led government survived? And how many levers does it leave chancellor – and, of course, for Keir Starmer – to pull if things don't work out? Presented by Hannah White, with Tom Pope and Giles Wilkes. Produced by Candice McKenzie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The political masterminds ask whether Rachel Reeves' Spending Review charts a course to victory at the next General Election, before turning to another set of national elections - can Reform UK win in Labour's heartlands when Welsh voters go to the polls in a year's time?And who will win the Lib Dem KitKat of victory?Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time. Topics covered this week include: Kenneth Gibson To ask the First Minister what the impact on Scotland will be of the Chancellor's Spending Review 2025. Liam Kerr To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on whether the home leave for prisoners system is operating appropriately and as intended. Foysol Choudhury To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is working to ensure that patients are accurately informed of waiting times for NHS treatments following referrals to a specialist. A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions is available here: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-12-06-2025?meeting=16486
Rachel Reeves has finally delivered her much-anticipated Spending Review, but has it done anything to shift Labour's story? George Osborne calls it “continuity Sunak,” arguing that the big spending pledges are less a break from the past and more a continuation of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak's economic path. Ed Balls says Reeves is taking ‘a real gamble' without ‘any insurance', boxing herself in with big promises, uncertain growth, and no room to manoeuvre.With defence and the NHS coming out on top, and departments like the Foreign Office facing deep cuts, what does this Review tell us about Labour's true priorities? And can the party really keep these pledges without raising taxes or breaking its own fiscal rules?Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Donald Trump is making headlines once again, this time for turning on his old ally Elon Musk and deploying troops into LA over immigration protests. Ed and George assess what it all means for the UK's relationship with Trump, the future of US-UK diplomacy, and Starmer's carefully built transatlantic strategy.To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Rachel Reeves boosts NHS and housing as some budgets squeezed Israeli forces recover bodies of two hostage in Gaza, PM says Brian Wilson, co creator of iconic 1960s band the Beach Boys, dies aged 82 Bus fares to jobs Seven ways the Spending Review affects you UK agrees post Brexit deal over Gibraltar Ballymena Significant police presence to continue after mob violence Solar Orbiter spacecraft snaps first images of Suns south pole Harvey Weinstein found guilty of sexual assault after New York retrial Rachel Reeves plans are not a quick fix but thats the point Newspaper headlines Spending Review renewing Britain or reckless splurge
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Israeli forces recover bodies of two hostage in Gaza, PM says Bus fares to jobs Seven ways the Spending Review affects you Newspaper headlines Spending Review renewing Britain or reckless splurge Rachel Reeves boosts NHS and housing as some budgets squeezed Rachel Reeves plans are not a quick fix but thats the point Harvey Weinstein found guilty of sexual assault after New York retrial Brian Wilson, co creator of iconic 1960s band the Beach Boys, dies aged 82 UK agrees post Brexit deal over Gibraltar Ballymena Significant police presence to continue after mob violence Solar Orbiter spacecraft snaps first images of Suns south pole
James and Fliss went live from Westminster on Wednesday (11/06/25) to discuss the UK Government's Spending Review, what's in it for Wales and what it means for the relationship between the two Welsh Labour Governments. They discussed the details with the Welsh Secretary of State, Jo Stevens MP and the First Minister, Eluned Morgan MS. They also spoke to a panel of opposition politicians - Plaid Cymru's Ben Lake MP, Welsh Conservative Lord Davies of Gower and Welsh Liberal Democrat David Chadwick MP. BBC Wales' Political Editor Gareth Lewis also joined the pod to discuss his main takeaways.
In this episode, we unpack the government's 2025 Spending Review with analysis from experts at the IFS. Paul is joined by Helen Miller and Ben Zaranko to discuss what the Chancellor's plans mean for public services, government investment, and the broader economic outlook. Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today, Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out the government spending plans until the end of the decade.She says spending on the NHS will rise by 3% a year after inflation. And also confirmed £39bn for social and affordable housing, an end to "costly" asylum hotels by 2029, and an extension of the £3 bus fare cap in England to 2027. You an read the Spending Review here! https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6849171796e63bce58e4e705/E03349913_HMT_Spending_Review_June_2025_Elay.pdfYou 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://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhereNew 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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Josh Jenkins and Julia Webster. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
We've had announcements on affordable housing, defence, transport and nuclear power from the government, but today we get the full details of the Chancellor's Spending Review - we get into what it could hold? Sean Farrington speaks to expert voices across economics and housing.Trade talks between the US and China continues for a third day in London - we hear from one expert who explains why rare minerals are at the centre of the negotiations.And with exactly one year until the World Cup starts in the US, Canada and Mexico, one tourism boss in California explains about the opportunities - and challenges - associated with promoting the tournament.
It's Spending Review day, and MPs were treated to a noisy PMQs after Kemi Badenoch promised to make it less like a courtroom and more like a pantomime.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the action from the Commons with The Times' Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire and the comedian Gráinne Maguire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sean Curran reports on the Chancellor's Spending Review, Prime Minister's Questions - and more.
On this week's MACRODOSE, James unpacks:First, everything you need to know about today's Spending Review from the Labour government. What cuts are coming, and what does this mean for public services? (0:31) Second, the millionaire exodus that never was - new research debunks the myth that higher taxes are driving the rich to flee the UK (7:45). For exclusive content - including our new chat show, The Curve, and Macrodose's monthly newsletter, The Fix - visit: https://www.patreon.com/macrodose.Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk.To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to planetbproductions.co.uk.
Chief Executive Andrew Carter is joined by Paul Swinney, Director of Policy and Research, for the Centre for Cities' first reflections on today's Spending Review. They run through the key statements on economic growth and what they mean for cities including announcements on local public transport, industrial strategy, social housebuilding, local government finance, London investment and the Green Book.
Mark Carruthers discusses the government's Spending Review and Casement Park with John Campbell, Andrew Webb, Jodie Carson and Stephen McGeehan from the GAA.
As the government says the Spending Review is settled, ministers are still facing questions about the U-turn on the winter fuel allowance. Should the chancellor just admit she got it wrong?Plus: Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Mariott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Israel is accused of the gravest war crimes in Gaza Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney in surprise Liverpool duet Spending Review to include 86bn for science and tech Miguel Uribe Turbay Colombia presidential candidate shot in head NHS doctor who faked degree told to pay 400k or face more jail time How budget airline baggage confusion triggered EU legal row Prince William calls for protection of worlds oceans in Monaco British army in Kenya Soldier detained over rape allegation Jamie Borthwick EastEnders star suspended over unacceptable language Pontardawe Fraud mum Katherine Hills daughters on inheritance theft trauma
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv NHS doctor who faked degree told to pay 400k or face more jail time Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney in surprise Liverpool duet Prince William calls for protection of worlds oceans in Monaco British army in Kenya Soldier detained over rape allegation Jamie Borthwick EastEnders star suspended over unacceptable language Miguel Uribe Turbay Colombia presidential candidate shot in head Israel is accused of the gravest war crimes in Gaza Spending Review to include 86bn for science and tech Pontardawe Fraud mum Katherine Hills daughters on inheritance theft trauma How budget airline baggage confusion triggered EU legal row
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv NHS doctor who faked degree told to pay 400k or face more jail time Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney in surprise Liverpool duet How budget airline baggage confusion triggered EU legal row British army in Kenya Soldier detained over rape allegation Pontardawe Fraud mum Katherine Hills daughters on inheritance theft trauma Prince William calls for protection of worlds oceans in Monaco Miguel Uribe Turbay Colombia presidential candidate shot in head Jamie Borthwick EastEnders star suspended over unacceptable language Spending Review to include 86bn for science and tech Israel is accused of the gravest war crimes in Gaza
Today, we're looking at what's going on in the Treasury as the final decisions are being made ahead of the government's Spending Review on Wednesday.The home secretary and deputy prime minister are both still in dispute with the department over the amount of cash they'll have to spend.Business editor Simon Jack and Paul Johnson, director of the Institute For Fiscal Studies join Laura to look at the numbers and the politics.And we look at Zia Yusuf's return to Reform just two days after quitting.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://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhereNew 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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg. It was made by Chris Flynn with Adam Chowdhury. The technical producer was Antonio Fernandes. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.
Vaughan Roderick talks to Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake about rail funding, discusses the Spending Review with Baroness Debbie Wilcox and the Institute of Directors' Richard Selby and reflects on 50 years of Parliament on the radio with former Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans. Plus what does the Hamilton by-election mean for Scotland's parties, and Dai Havard discusses what Merthyr's radical political past tells us about its future.
George Parker, the political editor of the Financial Times assesses the latest developments at Westminster.Following the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, George discusses the recommendations made in the Report with its main author, the Labour peer Lord Robertson, who is a former secretary general of NATO and a former Labour defence secretary and with Penny Mordaunt, the former Conservative defence secretary. Amid mounting concern at Westminster over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, George is joined by Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale and Labour MP Jon Pearce, the chair of Labour Friends of Israel, to discuss the latest.To discuss the results of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election in Scotland, George brings together Jamie McGuire, who was a Labour councillor until he defected, a few days ago, to Reform UK and Kezia Dugdale, a former leader of the Scottish Labour Party who is now at the Centre for Public Policy at Glasgow University.And, finally, ahead of next week's Spending Review, George speaks to crossbench peer, Lord Macpherson, who was the Permanent Secretary at the Treasury and to Conservative peer and former Cabinet Minister Michael Gove, who is the editor of the Spectator magazine.
The Spending Review looms large - with Chancellor Rachel Reeves facing some difficult choices in the upcoming Spending Review, which sets the budgets for all government departments over the next few years.Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss that and what next for Reform UK after Zia Yusuf quit as party Chairman.This episode was recorded on Thursday evening. 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://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhereNew 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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Joe Wilkinson and Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.
With just days to go before Rachel Reeves delivers her first Spending Review, Labour is facing an uncomfortable squeeze. NATO wants defence spending ramped up to 3.5% of GDP, but Reeves is sticking to her strict fiscal rules. Can Starmer keep both Washington and voters at home on side - or will the sums simply stop adding up?Meanwhile, Donald Trump is reigniting the trade war - with a 25% steel tariff sending markets wobbling. The UK may have a temporary exemption, but there are warning signs everywhere: surging bond yields, a weakening pound, and talk of a “crack” in the market from Wall Street's biggest voices. What does it all mean for the UK - and could global turbulence derail Labour's investment plans before they've begun?And Boris Johnson's back in the headlines. Could he really be planning a political comeback? With Reform UK on the rise and Conservative nerves showing, some see him as a vote-winner. But under Kemi Badenoch's leadership, would his return solve more problems than it creates?To get episodes early and ad-free, join Political Currency Gold or the Kitchen Cabinet:
Money, Money, Money... James and Fliss speak to three Senedd politicians and two political editors about the UK government's upcoming Spending Review. And... following an inquiry by the Welsh Affairs Committee - what are the challenges facing Welsh farmers in 2025?
Beth is catching up with Andy Burnham - the Mayor of Greater Manchester – in his office for an extra episode this week, recorded on Tuesday.It's just days to go until the chancellor unveils her Spending Review, and it's set to be good news for the North – they are about to get billions for big transport projects. But is that a good enough offer to keep working-class Labour voters interested? Burnham explains why he thinks the government could be doing better to connect with the working classes and how to keep their votes from going to Reform and Nigel Farage.For him, it's simple – better technical education and more social housing, something he's working on with his extra devolved powers. Will he pave the way for national policy?Also, does he actually want to be the leader of the Labour Party?Remember, you can also watch us on YouTube!
Sean Farrington brings fresh reaction to Trump's U-turn on UK steel & aluminium imports. And with just a week to go before the Chancellor presents her Spending Review to Parliament, we look at the impact that could have on the NHS. Plus, hours before the launch of Nintendo's new Switch 2 console, we discuss the hype surrounding it.
As the clock ticks down to next week's critical Spending Review, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is hitting the road, announcing infrastructure investments and focusing attention on Reform-leaning areas. Is this a last ditch effort to steady the ship?In this episode of The Fourcast, we're asking: Has Labour already lost control, just months into government? And can Keir Starmer turn things around?Joining Matt Frei in the studio is Anushka Asthana, wrapping up two decades at Westminster and releasing a new edition of her insider book Taken as Red. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Starmer's Labour rose - and where it may be faltering. Also joining us is political commentator Andrew Rawnsley, who was there for the early days of the Blair-Brown era. Can any government succeed in today's economic climate, or are the comparisons simply unfair?
There are concerns from wildlife and farming groups that the upcoming Spending Review will see the budget for nature-friendly farming schemes being cut, with money targeted only at smaller farms. We hear from farmers about what that could mean.We visit a falcon breeding facilities which supplies birds to the Middle East for the sport of falcon racing.And £5 million pounds is on offer as part of the Farming Innovation Investor Partnerships competition, which offers government money alongside private investment to agri-tech companies.Presented by Charlotte Smith Produced by Heather Simons
In this episode, a UK farming couple quit the UK to go farming in France, saying they feel more valued by the French government.Defra declines to comment on reports that the government's Spending Review will slash the budget for nature friendly farming.We've the latest on high-profile movers and shakers in the farming sector, as Assured Food Standards appoints a permanent chairman for Red Tractor.And Madame Tussauds waxworks museum in London prepares to celebrate national sausage roll day.This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom.Contact or follow Johann (X): @johanntaskerContact or follow Louise (X): @louisearableContact or follow (X): @sondesplacefarmFor Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow @farmersweeklyTo contact the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0.
The latest episode of the Engineers Collective is out now: listen in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, your usual platform or the player below. This month's guest is WSP associate structural engineer Sally Walsh, who joins the podcast to discuss steel reuse in construction, specifically on the Elephant & Castle Town Centre scheme. The Elephant & Castle Town Centre scheme is regenerating a lively part of central London into a vibrant new mixed-use hub with ample living space, commercial offerings and public spaces. WSP is the structural and geotechnical engineer on the project and Sally has been at the heart of the decision-making, which has seen the firm push the contractor to utilise reused steel in some of the structures – a first for the consultant. In this discussion, we cover how the decision was made to make this WSP's first project to attempt steel reuse, how it was implemented and the learnings – both positive and negative – that have come out of it. Sally and host Rob Hakimian then broaden out the discussion into how steel reuse could become business as usual in the sector – the types of projects where it is most suited, the barriers that stand in the way and the benefits that it could bring to the built environment. Prior to the interview portion, Rob is joined by NCE senior reporter Thomas Johnson to discuss recent revelations about the HS2 “bat shed” and the upcoming outcomes from the government's Spending Review.