Boats and the Budget: the battlelines are drawn
Political Fix
Budget U‑turn: what happened
George and David explain Rachel Reeves' retreat from planned income tax rises and the political drivers behind it.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a tough set of measures overhauling immigration policy this week, in a bid to deter illegal boat crossings and tackle the thorny issue of asylum seekers that dominates the news agenda. But how did the announcement go down with a divided Labour party?
And, just days away from the Budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves is under huge pressure after a series of U-turns and leaks on taxation policy.
Host George Parker discusses whether anything can be done to reverse the fortunes of the government with the FT’s deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, political columnist and writer of the Inside Politics newsletter Stephen Bush, and Whitehall correspondent David Sheppard.
Follow George on Bluesky @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social; Miranda @greenmirandahere.bsky.social; David @oilsheppard.bsky.social
What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com
Want more? Free links:
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Why the small boats won’t stop
High earners to be eligible for UK settlement within 3 years of arrival
UK asylum seekers face seizure of jewellery to pay for accommodation
Covid response of ‘toxic’ UK government was ‘too little, too late’, inquiry finds
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The FT is hosting a live webinar on November 28 on what the UK Budget will mean for your money. You can put questions to FT journalists Claer Barrett, Stuart Kirk, Tej Parikh and special guest, tax expert Dan Neidle. Get your pass now at ft.com/budgetwebinar.
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To sign up for free to the new FT Alphaville newsletter on substack, go to ftav.substack.com
Presented by George Parker, and produced by Lulu Smyth and Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music by Breen Turner, mix by Odinn Inigbergsson. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.
Clips from BBC
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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