The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed...
Doom, gloom and not much headroom: Spring Statement
Rachel Reeves was forced to slash spending to balance the books in her Spring Statement this week. Welfare spending will be cut more deeply than initially trailed, prompting warnings that 250,000 people — a fifth of them children — could be plunged into poverty. Economists also fear the chancellor will face further tough choices — more cuts or a fresh tax raid — in the autumn. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s George Parker and Stephen Bush, as well as economics commentator Chris Giles to discuss the winners and losers, and the main economic takeaways. The panel also examines the impact of Donald Trump’s escalating tariff war on Britain and the global economy. Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher, Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social, @stephenkb George Parker @GeorgeWParker @georgewparker.bskyb.social, Chris Giles @chrisgiles.ft.comHave a question for our panel? Drop us a line at politicalfix@ft.com. Record a voice note with your name and question, and email it to us. Want more? Free links: From miserable to mediocre: the Reeves challenge continues Spring Statement did not stem the fiscal doom loop Reeves’ repair job avoids tax increases – for now Ministers play down likely rise in poverty from UK welfare cuts, says charity Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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38:13
Austerity redux? Spring Statement lookahead
It’s crunch time for chancellor Rachel Reeves next Wednesday, when she will present her Spring Statement to parliament. Downgraded growth forecasts and deep spending cuts to unprotected departments loom. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by regulars Miranda Green, Jim Pickard, and the FT’s economics editor Sam Fleming to debate whether Labour is ushering in a new era of austerity. Plus, FT Brussels bureau chief Henry Foy joins the panel to discuss Europe’s mounting security crisis and how it’s affecting the UK’s reset with the EU.Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher, Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social @PickardJE, Miranda Green @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, Henry Foy @HenryJFoy, @henryjfoy.ft.com, Sam Fleming @Sam1FlemingHave a question for our panel? Drop us a line at politicalfix@ft.com. Record a voice note with your name and question, and email it to us. Want more? Free links: What will be in Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement? Starmer is zigging where Blair zaggedEU to exclude US, UK and Turkey from €150bn rearmament fundEurope is only half awake from its long sleep Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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44:44
Starmer’s ‘Project Chainsaw’: the NHS, Whitehall, welfare
“The world’s largest quango is scrapped” – that’s how the government framed the abolition of the NHS management body this week. It was the latest target in Sir Keir Starmer’s so-called ‘Project Chainsaw’, his plan to streamline the state. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues Stephen Bush, Robert Shrimsley and Anna Gross to discuss the prime minister’s reforms and whether they will drive any improvement in public services. The team also discusses the Labour rebellion brewing over welfare cuts, plus the latest dramatic developments engulfing the Reform party. Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher, Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social, @stephenkb, Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social, @robertshrimsley, Anna annasophiegross.bsky.social @AnnaSophieGrossWant more? Free links: Starmer to abolish NHS England Starmer to target ‘cottage industry of blockers’ in overhaul of regulatorsSir Keir Starmer suffers cabinet uprising over UK spending cuts Musk expresses support for rival to Reform UK as feud in Farage’s party intensifies Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and mixed by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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47:22
Will Starmer sink or swim in Trump’s world?
Sir Keir Starmer has won plaudits from across the political spectrum for his handling of the rapidly growing rift between the US, Europe and Ukraine – but can the UK prime minister sustain this diplomatic balancing act? George Parker hosts a discussion that brings together US defence and foreign affairs correspondent, Felicia Schwartz, and Political Fix regulars Robert Shrimsley and Miranda Green.Follow George on Bluesky or X: @GeorgeWParker @georgewparker.bskyb.social, Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, Robert @robertshrimsley.bskyb.social @robertshrimsley, Felicia Schwartz @felschwartzWant more? Free links: British politics has yet to catch up with Trump’s new orderFarage may have a Trump problemJD Vance criticised after comments on UK-France peacekeeping planSign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. Presented by George Parker and produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music by Breen Turner. Sound engineering by Joe Salcedo and Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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34:35
The Starmer-Trump love-in
Donald Trump showered praise on Keir Starmer during the UK prime minister’s visit to the White House this week, describing him as ‘special’, a ‘beautiful man’ and a ‘tough negotiator’. Host Lucy Fisher speaks to George Parker — who was there in the Oval Office — plus fellow Political Fix regulars Miranda Green and Stephen Bush about the upshot of the visit, from a potential UK-US trade deal and tariffs exemption to the PM’s failure to clinch a watertight US ‘backstop’ in Ukraine. The team also discussed the government’s changing spending priorities, ahead of development minister Anneliese Dodds’ dramatic resignation on Friday. Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher, Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social, @stephenkb; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, George @GeorgeWParker @georgewparker.bskyb.socialWant more? Free links: Can Starmer rise to meet his Bismarck moment?After chiding US allies, Donald Trump lavishes praise on ‘special’ Keir StarmerWhat is at stake in the US-UK trade talks?Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award. Presented by Lucy Fisher. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Financial Times takes you into the corridors of power to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular lineup of FT correspondents and informed commentators. New episodes available every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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