Bloomberg UK Politics

This week we wanted to bring you something a bit different. We've spent the past month looking into how Britain's defence industry might change as it looks to return to being a war-ready country. Here's a special edition of the podcast we made looking into it:As fighting in Ukraine drags on and Donald Trump demands that Europe take greater responsibility for its own security, the UK is confronting the hard reality of rebuilding its military strength. The challenge lies in overcoming years of underinvestment, failed contracts, and recruitment struggles. While European allies are pledging billions of euros to boost domestic defense manufacturing, the UK is scrambling to catch up in an industry it once dominated.  Caroline Hepker speaks with CEOs and industry experts, along with our Political Correspondent Ellen Milligan and Bloomberg’s Chief UK Economist Dan Hanson, to assess whether Britain has what it takes to realize its ambition of once again becoming a major military power.This podcast was produced by James Woolcock, Frederick Foulston, and Adrian Bradley.Our executive producer is Christopher Pitt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reform are riding high in the polls, with a string of recent surveys giving them the support of about 30 per cent of voters. But with the party talking up the prospect of actually entering government, do they have a coherent economic agenda? We spoke to Reform UK's Chairman Zia Yusef and our Chief UK Economist Dan Hanson to find out. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Lizzy Burden.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keir Starmer made ending antisemitism in the Labour party a core part of turning the page on Jeremy Corbyn's era. But having supported Israel, the Prime Minister's tone has changed as he warned of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and paused trade talks with the country. EMEA News Director Rosalind Mathieson and our Bloomberg Opinion Columnist Marc Champion explain how the international reaction has changed as the conflict has gone on. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and James WoolcockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK is hugely dependent on overseas workers in the social-care sector, supporting the elderly, vulnerable and disabled. After a year-long investigation, Bloomberg has uncovered how potential migrants are being conned out of millions of pounds. Our trade and migration correspondent Lucy White explains how the system is being abused and what it means for a Labour government trying to cut immigration. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts.Read the full investigation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves signed a deal with Britain's biggest pension funds to channel more investment into the domestic economy. The Mansion House Accord will push the sector to invest at least 10% of their funds into private markets by the end of the decade. So, for a special podcast, we went to the signing ceremony to interview the Chancellor about the plan, and the wider UK economy. Hosted by Lizzy Burden and James Woolcock.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crawford Falconer, the former UK's Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser, shares his insights on Keir Starmer's recent trade deals with India and the US. He discusses how these agreements steer the UK's post-Brexit narrative and their potential economic impacts. Falconer delves into tariff reductions in the auto sector and the intricacies of navigating future negotiations. The conversation also highlights the UK's revitalized role in global trade and its implications for relationships with the EU and China.

Nigel Farage's Reform UK has won a fifth seat in parliament after a dramatic by-election. We discuss this week's results, and what Reform's rise means for the UK's political map. Bloomberg Associate Editor Ailbhe Rea and our UK Political Editor Alex Wickham join us. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Caroline Hepker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been making the case for free trade in Washington at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, using Britain's stability as a selling point. But Reeves also said Donald Trump has a point about the global trade system, as she meets key US officials. We discuss the Chancellor's trip and what it means for Britain's international relations with Bloomberg editorial board member Therese Raphael. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Lizzy Burden.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the annual meeting of the National Education Union attracted the ire of Reform's Nigel Farage and millions of parents found out where their children will attend primary school. We discuss the UK's educational landscape and the politics that shapes it with Dani Payne, senior researcher at the Social Market Foundation. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Caroline Hepker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK and European Union are optimistic about striking a deal to reset post-Brexit relations at a summit in May, as President Donald Trump’s tariffs and policy on the Russia-Ukraine war spur calls for greater cooperation and reduced trade barriers in Europe. Bloomberg's Ellen Milligan joins hosts Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.