Should some children be given drugs to stop them going through puberty?
That’s the question the NHS, the government and an independent research and ethics committee have been trying to answer.
The “Pathways” trial, backed by the NHS and led by a team from King’s College London, aims to test the effectiveness and safety of puberty blockers for children experiencing gender dysphoria.
At the end of 2025, the trial was approved to go ahead. Health Secretary Wes Streeting reassured parliamentary colleagues it “could not have received more oversight and scrutiny”.
But now the agency in charge of medicine regulation has U-turned. The study is now paused because of ethical and safety concerns. All of which, Hannah Barnes reports today on the New Statesman website, they knew about when they first approved it.
So how did the study get approved in the first place? And what does this tell us about the systems we trust to ensure medical research is safe and ethical?
Also: Baroness Amos has released the interim findings from her review into England's maternity care, and says the system is "not working".
Oli Dugmore is joined by Hannah Barnes to discuss.
READ MORE Inside the decision to pause the puberty blockers trial England's maternity system "not working" for anyone, report says
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Andrew, Epstein and the crumbling crown
25/02/2026 | 40 mins.
Last Thursday, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has since been released under investigation. The police have searched Andrew’s former home, Royal Lodge.
The former Prince’s relationship to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein is triggering a reckoning for not just Andrew, but the monarchy itself.
Oli Dugmore is joined by Will Lloyd to discuss.
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A three horse race in Gorton and Denton
24/02/2026 | 24 mins.
On Thursday, a by-election in a Southern Manchester constituency, Gorton and Denton, is shaping up to be a seismic litmus test for British politics.
After the previous MP, Labour’s Andrew Gwynne, stepped down in January, an opening for a new MP has set in motion a battle between Labour and their insurgent challengers, Reform and the Green Party.
Oli Dugmore is joined by our senior data journalist Ben Walker to discuss.
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What if Russia wins?
23/02/2026 | 35 mins.
It has been four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war has settled into a grinding and uncertain stalemate.
Despite proving remarkably resilient, Ukraine, and the rest of the world, must face the question: What if Russia wins?
Katie Stallard explores this urgent question with German political scientist, Professor Carlo Masala. SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2
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Labour Together’s attack on press freedom
21/02/2026 | 27 mins.
Why has Keir Starmer ordered an investigation into Labour Together? What the hell is going on with our local elections? And what are we meant to make of Reform UK’s new “shadow cabinet”?
You asked, we’ll answer.
Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Rachel Cunliffe for the listener questions episode of Daily Politics from the New Statesman.
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Helping you make sense of politics – every weekday.Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On Daily Politics, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics.--START HERE:▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK?▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?--LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app to enjoy all our episodes without the ads.--MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question - we answer them on the podcast every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter in your inbox every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday--Hosts:Anoosh ChakelianOli DugmoreRegular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefWill Lloyd, Deputy editorAndrew Marr, Political editorGeorge Eaton, Senior editor, politicsHannah Barnes, Associate editorRachel Cunliffe, Associate political editorWill Dunn, Business editorMegan Gibson, Foreign editorKatie Stallard, Global affairs editorTanjil Rashid, Culture editorKate Mossman, Senior writerProduction team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesVideo producer: Rob Le MareAssistant producer: Biba KangExecutive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland