Talkback with Petrie Hosken

Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison following his conviction of raping a fan and sexually assaulting 3 other women between 2004 and 2009, during the peak of his entertainment career. As the judge handed him the sentence, he called him a predatory figure who showed an arrogant disregard for his victims. Previously, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said there’s evidence that what happened with Russell Brand is still happening today and it’s time for the media industry to take abuse more seriously.Comedy and Media Diversity Researcher, Dr Ellie Tomsett, goes through the case and the sentencing of Brand, before Petrie speaks to you and asks if you feel like sexual assault can ever be routed out in society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The sweeping Democratic gains in the US midterms have rippled across British politics, raising hopes in Westminster for renewed transatlantic stability and economic alignment. Reacting to the results, Prime Minister Andy Burnham described Donald Trump’s defeat as a pivotal opportunity "to focus on resolving the Iran war and easing the cost of living”. Are people getting fed up of extremes? Is politics becoming more centralised? Petrie discusses the midterm results and the impact they're having in the UK with Former Newspaper Editor and Political Commentator, David Wooding, and Former Political Editor, Vincent Moss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has dropped plans to make migrant care workers already in the UK wait 15 years for permanent settlement. Addressing the Commons, Mahmood confirmed that care staff earning at least £25,000 who arrived before May 2025 can still secure indefinite leave to remain after five years. The wait for other low-income workers has also been reduced from 15 to 10 years.The concession follows intense pressure from Labour backbenchers, who warned the changes would severely impact social care. However, the Conservatives condemned the retreat, calling any watering down of settlement rules a "slap in the face to British taxpayers."What kind of immigration system would you deem to be fair. What is an acceptable level of migration? Petrie gets your thoughts after first discussing these plans with Journalist and Migration Campaigner, Savan Qadir. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chancellor John Healey unveiled his first Autumn Budget with a pledge to give British households and businesses “breathing space” amid mounting global cost pressures. Headline measures focus heavily on everyday expenses: gas standing charges to be phased out next year, import tariffs are scrapped on over 100 goods, fuel duty to remain frozen, and the national living wage to rise by 3.9%, among others.Head of Consumer Finance at Moneyfacts, Adam French, breaks down all of the announcements and takes your questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Cruise's latest film Digger marks a major departure from his familiar action blockbusters. Playing a corrupt oil tycoon who triggers an environmental catastrophe, Cruise traded signature stunts for prosthetics and dark satire. However, reception has been brutal: despite praise for his daring artistic swing, it bombed at the box office, polarized critics and is tracking to be one of the costliest misfires in modern studio history. But is it really THAT bad?Filmmaker, Broadcaster and Talk Film Reporter, Jonnie Hurn, gives his review of Digger and talks about some of the worst movies ever, before asking you; what's the worst movie you've ever seen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.