James O'Brien Daily

Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed calls for an investigation into Chancellor Rachel Reeves after she apologised for breaking housing rules when renting out her family home… Is it just party politics driving this story or should she have known better? Also, Hurricane Melissa has continued its devastating sweep across the Caribbean, leaving dozens dead. The storm was fuelled by warming oceans, while the UN confirms that ‘humanity has missed its 1.5C climate target’... Why aren’t we taking more action on climate change?And, a university academic is to receive "substantial damages" after a portrayal of him in a Steve Coogan film about the discovery of Richard III's remains was found to have a defamatory meaning. Steve joined James in the studio to explain it from his perspective.This episode was recorded on the 30th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Labour's Employment Rights Bill, which would protect workers against zero-hour contracts and unfair dismissals has been sent back to Commons after large defeats in the House of Lords. James digs into the details and asks why employers would vote against this.And, the Government is defending its plan to use military barracks to house asylum seekers, despite these looking set to cost more than the hotels currently in use. They think it’s worth it to quell public disquiet around asylum hotels. But is it, and will it?This episode was recorded on the 29th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

The Treasury is considering a “mansion-tax” for owners of higher-value properties to help pull the country out of its multi-billion pound hole. Is this fair?And, hundreds of asylum seekers could be housed in two military barracks as the government seeks to end the use of “asylum-hotels”. Is this good or bad politics from Sir Keir Starmer?This episode was recorded on the 28th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

“It drives me mad when I see adverts full of black people, full of Asian people”. Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s racist comments have even drawn widespread criticism - but many from her party refuse to label the comments as racist. How can we best discuss the increase of racism in our public discourse?And, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a former asylum seeker and convicted sex offender who was released from prison in error is back in custody and faces deportation. Shockingly, accidental releases of prisoners have doubled in a year - how?This episode was recorded on the 27th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

With a potential tax rise on the horizon, James asked whether Rachel Reeves could handle the political and economic fallout. The UK currently relies on roughly 500,000 taxpayers for a third of all income and capital gains tax revenue, raising big questions about fairness, fiscal policy, and whether Labour risks breaking another key pledge if income tax increases.And, James turned to a stark new finding: the number of 16–24 year olds in England reporting symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has more than tripled in the past decade. But James wanted to open the floor to what it is really like living with obsessive compulsive disorder in today’s world?This episode was recorded on the 24th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10 am on LBC.

The grooming gangs inquiry has been plunged into disarray this week - before it has even started - with four survivors quitting the panel and two frontrunners for chairperson withdrawing. Why is this, and what should the success of the inquiry look like?And, one in 12 secondary pupils report being put into school isolation rooms at least once a week where they often spend in excess of eight hours, missing more than a full day of lessons, according to research. Why is that, and what impact is it having on kids?This episode was recorded on the 23rd of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

The family courts will no longer work on the presumption that having contact with both parents is in the best interests of a child. Campaigners say this will save many children’s lives. James asks his listeners to share their experiences and is joined by Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno, Director and Founder of SHERA, whose research was instrumental for this ruling.Also, Rachel Reeves has stressed the long term damage done to the British economy by Brexit in her remarks to the IMF. When will the government finally start telling the truth about Brexit and its effects?And, President Donald Trump is reportedly demanding the Justice Department pay him $230 million in compensation for the federal investigations into him – a settlement that could ultimately face approval by one of his former lawyers, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche... LBC’s man in Washington, Simon Marks, has the details.This episode was recorded on the 22nd of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in front of the Covid Inquiry today, speaking about the effect of the pandemic and his own policy decisions on young people. How did the lockdowns affect you or the young people in your life?And, The Economist has argued that legalising cocaine would have myriad societal benefits, eliminating the price premium that incentivises dangerous gang activity, freeing up space and resources within the criminal justice system and ensuring the product itself was safe for users. Two questions: Would legalisation of cocaine decrease or increase the amount of peril that we’re exposed to? And, why are drugs illegal?This episode was recorded on the 21st of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Parliament is under mounting pressure to examine what the royal family knew about Prince Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein and strip him of his titles. Why do we care so much about this shameful story?And, Conservative MP Katie Lam says that all immigrants in the UK legally that have indefinite leave to remain should be deported. Her comments have gone largely unchallenged - how do you feel about this?This episode was recorded on the 20th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned a decision banning fans of Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv from supporting their Europa League fixture against Aston Villa in November. The decision has been taken because of the perceived potential for violent clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli fans. Was this the right decision?And, new research shows that millennial fathers want to spend more time looking after their kids - but workplaces are yet to catch up. What’s it like being a Dad that wants to be more present, but with an employer who doesn’t let you?And, James is joined by Simon Marks, who explains why US news outlets are rejecting the Pentagon's new reporting restrictions.This episode was recorded on the 17th of October. Catch James O'Brien weekdays from 10am on LBC.