Coffee House Shots Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 13/07/2025
Jul 13, 2025
Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary and a key figure in UK politics, discusses pressing issues like the shrinking economy and potential autumn tax rises. She sheds light on the controversial migrant deal with France, emphasizing its challenges. The conversation also touches on the Ofcom CEO’s insights into new online safety regulations, aimed at protecting children from harmful content. Additionally, political dynamics stir as more Conservative MPs defect, prompting debates on reform policies and future economic strategies.
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Online Safety Age Checks Mandate
- The upcoming Online Safety Act regulations require social media firms to remove harmful content or implement age checks to protect under-18s.
- Companies must choose their method but face enforcement if checks are ineffective or missing.
Complex Migrant Deal Pilot Limits
- The UK-France migrant deal aims to return some migrants to France and create a legal asylum route through France for others.
- Effectiveness depends on scale and cooperation; initial pilot returns only a small fraction of arrivals.
UK Economy's Mixed Signals
- UK economy briefly outperformed G7 peers in early 2025 despite recent monthly contractions.
- Long-term growth seen through trade deals worth £120 billion and job creation, but challenges remain.