Politics At Sam and Anne's

Are domestic political battles about to collide with a diplomatic storm for the Prime Minister?
As Andy Burnham jets off to the Caribbean, Home Secretary – Shabana Mahmood – prepares to unveil one of the most contentious policies of his premiership: a major crackdown on legal migration.
But, a year after the plans were first proposed, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at whether Labour have quashed the internal rebellion and how much influence Angela Rayner has had on the PM’s position.
Plus, as the Commonwealth Summit gets underway in Antigua, is the Prime Minister facing a series of challenges on the international front – from potential reparations for slavery to US-China influence on the region.

So was that it? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have slept on it – and are feeling the budget may have landed with a whimper rather than a bang.
They weigh up the case for the defence: has John Healey played it safe to reassure the markets, keep Labour onside and give households some immediate relief on energy bills? Or has he ducked the big decisions, leaving families facing a cost-of-living squeeze and businesses distinctly underwhelmed?
Plus, it’s not just Sam and Anne’s reaction. Friends of the podcast have been sending their messages as they mull it over too.
And if you missed it, our full 30-minute Budget debrief with Sky News’ Economics and Data editor Ed Conway is already in your feeds, offering a deeper dive on John Healey’s statement.

A breathing space budget or a look into a new bleak economic reality?
Chancellor – John Healey - delivered a no thrills budget but with grim warnings on the economic dashboard from the Office for Budget Responsibility can he deliver the “breathing space” he wants to give people?
With growth downgraded, borrowing set to rise and taxes heading for a post war high did he deliver any hope or has he simply pushed the problem down the road.
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy are joined by Sky News’ Economics and Data Editor – Ed Conway – to go over the big decisions, examine what the numbers mean for households and ask if Labour still has “fresh hope for the future.”
Want to ask Sam and Anne a question – email them at samandanne@sky.uk

It’s budget day and it’s a critical moment for Chancellor and the UK economy.
So, what are the plans to ease the squeeze on household bills and the cost-of-living crisis?
Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the high-stakes decisions facing the government and how John Healey plans to raise billions in additional revenue through increasing tax.
With tough choices delayed, fiscal headroom shrinking and Whitehall budgets stretched to breaking point, will this budget fix Britain’s problems or simply kick them down the road?
And, will this budget reveal who really runs the government - No 11, No 10 or the markets?

It’s budget eve but can the Chancellor really deliver a ‘breathing space’ budget?
With living standards under pressure, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy explore the trade-offs John Healey must balance between the cost-of-living crisis, the government’s plan for growth and whether ministers can convince voters that they’re easing the pressure.
Plus, Sam heads to Doncaster-Sheffield Airport where a bold bet on devolution could deliver where the private sector failed.