Bloomberg UK Politics

Five candidates remain in the Conservative Party leadership contest after former Home Secretary Priti Patel was eliminated in the latest ballot. Those vying for the top job are focused on the future, but how can the eventual winner reinvigorate the party's base? We discuss with Chris Wilkins, former chief speechwriter for Theresa May, now CEO of Audley Advisors. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Stephen Carroll.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chair of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry has delivered a damning conclusion after years of gathering evidence about the fire at the high-rise block in 2017 which saw 72 people lose their lives. The report concluded the deaths were 'all avoidable', blaming the construction industry, government and others for a litany of failures. We discuss the findings with Bloomberg's Jack Sidders who covers the building industry. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts. This episode contains distressing audioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has come in for criticism from Israel and the UK's Chief Rabbi, as well as those opposed to Israel's military action in Gaza, after suspending 30 of the UK's 350 arms export licenses to the country. We discuss the implications of the decision with Bloomberg Opinion columnist Marc Champion. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Caroline Hepker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House of Commons Leader Lucy Powell says there could have been a "run on the pound" had Chancellor Rachel Reeves not taken the decision to means test the winter fuel allowance for pensioners. Her assertion is the latest in a series of gloomy warnings from government over the last few weeks. As parliament reconvenes today we ask Bloomberg's senior economics reporter Philip Aldrick if things are really as bad as they say and how Labour can negotiate the path ahead. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Stephen Carroll.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 After Brexit reshaped the agricultural landscape, UK farmers face a new reality.  EU subsidy payments are being phased out and  replaced by a new Sustainable Farming Incentive. We discuss the impact of these changes, rising production costs, and the challenge of maintaining food security with David Exwood, Deputy President of the National Farmers' Union. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and James Woolcock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister Keir Starmer has escaped his gloomy budget outlook in search of a brighter future relationship with the UK's neighbours, starting with Germany's Olaf Scholz. We discuss with our Germany Correspondent Oliver Crook and Evie Aspinall, Director of the British Foreign Policy Group. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and James Woolcock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keir Starmer took on the job of Prime Minister with a message of hope and optimism, but less than eight weeks later, he's warning of a "painful" budget to "get the rot out". We discuss the tone and content of the Prime Minister's speech with Philip Collins, former chief speechwriter to Tony Blair and founder of communications advisers The Draft. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and James Woolcock.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest Home Office migration figures show a drop in the number of people moving to the UK for work and study, as well as a fall in asylum applications. Public concern over migration remains high, leaving Keir Starmer’s government facing a complex array of challenges. We discuss the political and economic ramifications of the data with Ben Brindle, a researcher at the Migration Observatory. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and James Woolcock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colder months are on the horizon and Rachel Reeves' decision to means-test the winter fuel allowance has stirred up controversy. With over 400,000 signatures on a petition against the move and growing concerns about rising heating bills, we explore the challenges of stretched public finances and meeting manifesto pledges with John McTernan, former political secretary to Tony Blair and current Senior Adviser at  communications agency BCW. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and James WoolcockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour announced a success last week: a 15% pay deal for train drivers to end their dispute. But within a day, some were back on strike with a new grievance. We explore the political and economic implications of Labour's different approach to the unions, with UK Associate Editor Ailbhe Rea and Peel Hunt’s Chief Economist Kallum Pickering. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.