Politics At Sam and Anne's

As Andy Burnham hops around on the world stage is Alan Milburn about to cause the Prime Minister’s biggest political storm yet?
With less than a week until the long-awaited Milburn Review is released, the former Health Secretary is proposing a welfare revolution with a radical overhaul of the current system – including, stripping under 24s of existing disability benefits as well as imposing tighter and tougher conditions.
With billions at stake, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at the looming upheaval, the political cost and whether it could trigger a fresh Labour rebellion.
Plus, as the PM visits the European Political Community in Ireland, the duo look at the latest efforts to stop the war in Ukraine and whether the UK will align more or less with the European Union.

As the prime minister heads to COP, does the government have a coherent message on climate change?
With the cost of the green transition taking priority, the government faces tough questions on its policy decisions and delays around oil, gas and electric cars. Are Labour’s climate ambitions slipping because of hard economic choices?
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the political divisions and why COP could matter far more for Labour than it first appears.
Elsewhere, Nigel Farage appoints a new policy chief – but was Amar Johal already pulling the strings?
Plus, Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo delivers a brutal lesson in Whitehall hierarchy, following a run-in over chairs.

Is the battle over welfare reforms about to intensify?
With the Milburn Report just a week away, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the growing pressure on Labour to tackle the issue as the head of the civil service – Antonia Romeo – prepares Whitehall for a spending squeeze.
But, as costs spiral, the Conservatives are circling and plan to lay out their plans on how they would reduce £36bn from the benefits bill - Where will the money come from and who will bear the costs?
Elsewhere, Sam hears some rumblings that No10 North is already being branded as a “government think tank.”
Plus, does the weekly polling show signs of a Tory fightback and are Reform beginning to suffer?

Andy Burnham has a vision but with a mountain to climb where is his premiership heading?
With the 10-year plan, controversial welfare reforms and a UK-EU summit on the horizon, can the Prime Minster turn his political ambition into real change.
In a special episode, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy are joined by Paul Ovenden, Keir Starmer’s former director of strategy, to deep dive into the thinking of the Burnham government.
Has the PM learnt from Starmer’s failures, how far will he push welfare reform and could Britain eventually rejoin the EU?

It’s been a bruising night for Donald Trump at the midterm elections - losing both the House and the Senate – but what does it mean for Britain?
In a special edition, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy hear from a variety of experts – on both sides of the Atlantic – as the balance of power shifts in Washington.
So where does the President go from here - will he double down or change course?
Could he relaunch an offensive in Iran? What will happen to the world economy? And could the fallout fundamentally reshape Britain’s relationship with its closest ally?