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Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy with what you need to know about the day ahead in British politics. All in under 20 minutes and in your feed around 7.30am.
They're across the key interviews, the main stories and what the parties are saying.
Whatever they're talking about, Westminster will be talking about today.
They're across the key interviews, the main stories and what the parties are saying.
Whatever they're talking about, Westminster will be talking about today.
304 Episodes
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1How vulnerable is the British state from Russian attacks?Sam and Anne discuss how the government will fund the additional defence spending and the rumblings of some unhappiness in the British deep state.Away from defence, Sam hears of some tensions building between No10 and No11 over the handling of the budget as a formal leak inquiry is launched.Plus, is the government machine grinding to a halt?
With reports that Nigel Farage expects to do a deal, or even merge, with the Conservatives before the next election – is it game over for the Tories or Reform? Sam and Anne discuss what this potential pact could mean for the right of British politics and whether the move will be seen as weakness from Mr Farage, in essence admitting that he can’t sweep to power alone. Away from party politics – Anne has the latest on the seemingly never-ending talks to stop the fighting in Ukraine.
It’s almost a decade since the referendum on leaving the EU – and it feels like Keir Starmer has turned up the dial on his Brexit rhetoric.He said it would be “reckless” to use Brexit as a template for foreign policy.Sam and Anne discuss what the PM had to say. Elsewhere, how good is the UK-US zero tariff-drugs deal really and how are voters feeling about Labour as the budget dust starts to settle?Anne has some intel on the race to replace Lord Mandelson as the UK’s Ambassador to the United States.Plus, a listener asks why the PM didn’t dress properly for the Guildhall last night.
The budget fallout continues but did the Prime Minister and the Chancellor exaggerate the size of the blackhole?Sam and Anne question whether Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves misled cabinet and the country to justify the smorgasbord of tax rises as pressure mounts across the political divide. Elsewhere, has the reset talks with the European Union hit the buffers over defence?Plus, the spotlight is on the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility as the investigation into the budget leak is given to the treasury.
After all the drama can MPs, the markets, business and voters stomach Rachel Reeves’ budget? Sam and Anne look behind the headlines and dive deeper into items which were not noticed as much in the Chancellor’s budget, questioning whether it could be seen as a return to austerity. Plus, the duo also consider the practicalities of some of the new taxes and how they will be collected and monitored. Away from Westminster, Anne has an update on Ukraine and the push for a peace deal.
Has the chancellor done enough to save the government after weeks of official and unofficial briefings of the "most trailed budget in history"?We knew Rachel Reeves was taking taxes to an all-time high before she was even on her feet in the Commons - thanks to the full budget being published by mistake on the Office for Budget Responsibility’s website - but what else was announced, and what didn't she say? Sam and Anne break down the budget and talk about:• The smorgasbord of tax rises - taking it to an all-time high • Britain's economic outlook and downgrading of growth • The opposition's response to "the worst chancellor in history"• A potential rebellion from her own MPs
Mansion tax, gambling tax, milkshake tax, scrapping the two-child benefit cap – today we finally get all the details of the most trailed budget in political history. So, who is the 2025 Rachel Reeves budget for and why? Sam and Anne assess how MPs and the markets will feel against voters and businesses. Politically, the giveaways look like they’re worth every penny – but, ultimately, it’s a tax raising budget that will hit everyone somehow. There are two episodes for budget day - Debrief on what’s happened in the budget without episode out around 6.30pm on Wednesday.
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.
As Business leaders gather for the CBI conference will the Chancellor be on their side? Sam and Anne consider whether Rachel Reeves could make this budget for business a “death by a thousand taxes.” Elsewhere, Sam has a scoop on the OBR’s growth forecasts and how they could impact the budget. Plus, Anne has the behind the scenes take from the talks to end the war in Ukraine.
As the Prime Minister heads to the G20 in South Africa, could international support for the Ukrainian war effort be under threat as an alleged corruption case rocks the Zelenskyy government?Back home, is a massive political row about to erupt over the use of single sex spaces?Plus, there could be some uncomfortable reading for some in Westminster later, as Baroness Hallet presents her report into the UK’s decision making and governance during the Covid pandemic.
With just one week until the budget – what levers are left for the Chancellor to pull to plug the black hole in the public finances? Sam and Anne assess the current economic outlook and explore what tax options are on the table for Rachel Reeves and whether a set of announcements could alleviate some of the pressure on her. Elsewhere, the Westminster village braces itself for the political report into the UK’s decision making and governance during the Covid pandemic. Plus, how significant is it that the government has named China in the latest attack on the British political system to recruit potential spies?
The Prime Minister is out of the country again for the first of two overseas trips this week - he's off to Berlin ahead of the G20 in South Africa. Back home, he leaves grumpiness and angst about next week’s budget – Sam tells Anne he’s hearing about the challenges of squeezing every last penny out of Whitehall departments.Is this the first budget that’s unravelled before it’s delivered? And with auditions becoming a theme of the Labour front bench, did the Home Secretary pass on her big day? Plus, is there a quiet man elsewhere in cabinet who is turning up the volume?
Following a briefing war and a budget U-turn last week, can the Home Secretary get the government’s agenda back on track? Sam and Anne discuss Shabana Mahmood’s plan to overhaul the asylum system – inspired by the Danes – and whether it will cut through with the voters. Plus, they also consider the implications of the Chancellor’s decision to not raise income tax and where the ‘smorgasbord’ of other tax rises will come from.
As the fallout from the briefings against Wes Streeting rumbles on - does the PM have more issues behind the door to No10? In a tumultuous 24 hours, Keir Starmer has been forced to refer himself to the ethics advisor over the appointment of the new football regulator. Elsewhere, Sam has an exclusive on the links between a lobbying firm and Downing Street’s chief of communications, Tim Allen. The duo also consider if a former Labour leader could return to the top job and whether calls from cabinet ministers and backbenchers to sack the PM’s chief of staff – Morgan McSweeney – have any substance.
What is going on? Sam and Anne share notes on the late night WhatsApps chats following a day of briefings about Keir Starmer’s future (and the WhatsApps keep coming as we record) The message from the PM’s team was if there’s a leadership challenge (from the someone in his own cabinet or elsewhere) - he’d stand and fight. Allies of Team Starmer have pointed a finger at Wes Streeting. He’s denied any plot and has got an opportunity of the morning round to bolster that. As one government figure said to Sam - “bonkers”. If the PM doesn’t trust the Health Secretary – how does he stay?
With Donald Trump threatening to sue the BBC, will the BBC have to pay out? And how have those across the political spectrum been reacting? And with 15 days until Rachel Reeves’ budget, Matthew McGregor - CEO of campaigning organisation 38 Degrees and a former digital strategist for both Labour and Barack Obama - takes issue with Sam’s take from yesterday and sends in a voice note. And Sam and Anne discuss the latest twist in the Your Party saga, and it’s all about money.
Sam reveals there might be some Traitors style plotting going on behind the scenes in the government. But from who? And how might Keir Starmer see off this challenge? Budget speculation continues, and specifically – who is and is not a “working person”? And, should it occur, what would the consequences be of breaking a manifesto commitment? How perilous a moment for Starmer could this be? And after the BBC’s Director General and CEO of News resign, what does Starmer now say about the organisation? And who will come next in the top BBC job?
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.
The Chancellor breaks the norm by making a speech in Downing Street 22 days ahead of the budget – with everyone closely watching for what exactly she says on tax rises. Sam and Anne consider why Rachel Reeves is doing it now and how budget preparations have changed since Liz Truss’ days. We’re not expecting new policy from the Treasury, more an event which tries to prepare voters for tax changes. Elsewhere in Westminster, Conservative leader – Kemi Badenoch – is out and about attacking the government’s spending on the welfare bill. Plus, we have our weekly check-in on the state of the polls.
As speculation grows as to what could and could not be included in the budget, do Reform UK have a credible and alternative plan for the economy?Sam and Anne discuss how and where Nigel Farage will pitch his party on the economic front ahead of a key speech in the city, described by some as “bombproof."The duo also consider which sectors could be impacted by the upcoming budget and how the government might sell potential tax rises to voters.
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