Bloomberg UK Politics

Labour and the Conservatives have both set sky-high ambitions for what artificial intelligence can do for public services and the economy. But are those goals realistic, and will they come quickly enough for voters to see the results? We discuss with Labour MP Josh Simons, and Nic Prettejohn, head of AI for the UK and Nordics at tech firm Palantir, which has several major IT contracts with the government. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Stephen Carroll.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Record levels of pollution have been reported in Britain's water supplies at a time when household bills are skyrocketing. The largest company in the sector, Thames Water, is on the brink of collapse, leaving the Labour government with difficult choices to make. Our reporter Priscila Azevedo Rocha unpacks the debt crisis at the company, and Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney give us her view on what the government should do. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Lizzy Burden.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politics is about perception, and while the most serious crimes have been trending downwards, the British public are concerned about the prevalence of theft and fraud. So how can Labour follow through on its pledge to 'take back our streets' and make Britain feel safer? We ask Bloomberg's UK Politics Reporter Lucy White and Former Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Shabnam Chaudhri. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Stephen Carroll. Produced by Freddy Foulston and Rose Henderson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Parliament is on recess for the summer break. The Labour Party, in particular, may be reflecting on a year that saw them go from a landslide election victory to declining popularity. While Parliament is away, we’re taking a closer look at some of the potential crises the government could face in the coming year. This week, we’re focusing on plans for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Ballooning costs are placing more financial pressure on England’s already-stretched local councils, highlighting the urgency of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s proposed reforms in this area. However, some view this issue as the next major test for Labour MPs, particularly those who rebelled over welfare cuts. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and produced by Harry Black.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keir Starmer has signed the UK's biggest trade deal since Brexit, sealing an agreement with India's Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister has succeeded where predecessors Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson failed, but how quickly will it boost UK growth? We discuss with Bloomberg's London Bureau Chief Ruth David and Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce UK and cross bench peer, Karan Bilimoria. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Caroline Hepker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dramatic revelation of a massive and expensive data breach has blindsided Westminster. It's the first time that a superinjunction, which stops media reporting, has been used by the government. We talk to Sean Humber, from law firm Leigh Day, who specialises in privacy breach compensation claims and is organising a class action in the case. We ask if the government is getting worse at handling data, and how much it might eventually cost. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keir Starmer secured a “one in, one out” migrant-return deal with Emmanuel Macron at the end of the first state visit from a French leader in more than 15 years. The Prime Minister is hoping he can prove his self-styled methodical, pragmatic approach works and can fix an issue which looms large in British politics. But there is much more to this visit. We discuss with our foreign policy and defence correspondent Ellen Milligan and Bloomberg Opinion Columnist in Paris, Lionel Laurent. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Caroline Hepker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this engaging discussion, Danny Sriskandarajah, Chief Executive of the New Economics Foundation and author, evaluates the Labour government's first year in power. He highlights a significant U-turn on welfare plans and mixed performance metrics, raising questions about future challenges. The conversation delves into tax reform complexities and the need for clear government communication. Sriskandarajah also emphasizes the importance of electoral reforms as disillusionment grows among voters, advocating for a more participatory democracy.

Join John Stepek, writer of Bloomberg's Money Distilled newsletter, as he discusses Keir Starmer's recent policy U-turn on disability entitlements. The decision comes amidst mounting pressure from the left of Labour and threats from Reform UK on the right. Stepek dives into how these dynamics affect government stability and the upcoming fiscal challenges. The conversation highlights the complexities within UK politics, including internal divisions and the transition toward centrist policies while coping with public sentiment.

Ellen Milligan, a UK foreign policy reporter at Bloomberg, dives into Britain’s complex stance on Iran amidst escalating tensions. She discusses the UK's diplomatic balancing act in response to recent US air strikes and explores public opinion regarding military support. The podcast also examines historical echoes of the Iraq War, analyzing how past conflicts shape current policies. Additionally, Milligan weighs Iran's potential responses, from retaliation to capitulation, highlighting the risks for regional stability and NATO’s evolving challenges.