

Bloomberg UK Politics
Bloomberg
Bloomberg's Caroline Hepker, Stephen Carroll, Yuan Potts and Lizzy Burden have your daily guide to British politics. We'll tell you what's happening and explain why it matters.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 22, 2024 • 26min
Speaker Forced to Listen: Hoyle Fights for his Job
Lindsay Hoyle has MPs calling for his resignation after he was accused of giving the Labour party preferential treatment in a debate on a Gaza ceasefire. Our UK Government reporter Emily Ashton was in the Commons and explains how the day derailed into chaos not seen since the Brexit era. Plus, Richard Thomson, the Scottish National Party MP for Gordon, explains why the SNP are so angry about it in spite of getting their motion passed. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Lizzy Burden See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 21, 2024 • 26min
Post Office Questions: Keir Starmer Presses PM Over Badenoch Comments
The Post Office accounting scandal dominates this week's Prime Minister's Questions. Keir Starmer cross-examines the Prime Minister over comments made by Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch about the former Post Office chair Henry Staunton. Plus, a failed Trident missile test raises questions about the efficacy of the UK's nuclear deterrent. We discuss with Andrew Dorman, Professor of International Security at King's College London and editor of Chatham House's International Affairs Journal. Hosted by James Woolcock and Stephen Carroll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 20, 2024 • 26min
Listen, Governor: Bailey Faces MPs Over Haldane's Recession Warning To Us
The Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has faced questions from MPs over what the BOE's former chief economist, Andy Haldane, told us about the risk of deeper recession from keeping interest rates high. Bloomberg Opinion columnist Marcus Ashworth shares Haldane's view, and says the BOE governor signalled an important shift in his thinking. As Birmingham Council announces a cost-cutting plan to tackle its financial problems, we discuss with Iain Murray of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. Plus: business groups have written their wish list for the Chancellor ahead of the Budget. Our reporter Joe Mayes joins us with details. Hosted by Lizzy Burden and Stephen Carroll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 19, 2024 • 26min
Former BoE Chief Economist On Why The Bank Should Cut Rates Now
The former Chief Economist of the Bank of England, Andy Haldane, says the central bank is risking a deeper recession if it doesn't cut rates soon. He says the economy is heading for a year of "at best of anemic growth" given the current outlook. Haldane also tells us that he preferred the original version of Labour's £28 billion green investment plan, and that the government's fiscal rules should be changed to allow more spending on investment. Hosted by Lizzy Burden and Stephen Carroll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 16, 2024 • 27min
'As Bad As It Could Have Been': Labour Landslide Cements Tory Despair
After Labour by-election wins in Kingswood and Wellingborough, election expert John Curtice explains how the results are the worst possible outcome for the Conservatives. Plus, 'Rishi's Recession' makes Jeremy Hunt's March budget even more daunting. Matthew Lesh, Director of Public Policy at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), shares his perspective on whether government tax cuts should still be on the agenda. Hosted by James Woolcock and Caroline Hepker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 15, 2024 • 27min
UK in Recession: Toxic or Technicality?
New data shows the economy dipped into recession in the second half of 2023, but does it really matter? Ana Andrade from Bloomberg Economics walks us through the implications. Plus, Ed Arnold from defence think tank The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) joins us to discuss the NATO meeting and Donald Trump's stance on the alliance. Hosted by Lizzy Burden and Caroline Hepker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 14, 2024 • 26min
Inflation Relief: Can the Government Celebrate Stalling Price Rises?
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has welcomed new figures showing annual inflation was stable at 4 per cent in January, avoiding an increase expected by economists. Bloomberg's Chief UK Economist Dan Hanson talks us through the political implications of the data. Also in the show: another Labour parliamentary candidate was suspended for controversial comments about Israel. Our senior reporter Alex Wickham has the details. Plus, ahead of tomorrow's two by-elections, our resident expert Yuan Potts joins us with a look at what to expect. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Lizzy Burden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 13, 2024 • 25min
Candidate Controversy: How Does Labour Move On From Antisemitism?
After antisemitic comments from Labour's Rochdale by-election candidate surfaced, the party has found itself embroiled in yet another row over the issue. Bloomberg's senior UK government reporter Alex Wickham joins us with details. Martin Forde KC was tasked by Keir Starmer with investigating the issue of antisemitism under his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn - he tells us what Labour should do next. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Lizzy Burden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 12, 2024 • 26min
Trump, Take Two: US Presidential Hopeful's Influence on UK Foreign Policy
Donald Trump's comments about NATO defence spending are sending reverberations around the international community. We ask Evie Aspinall, director of think-tank The British Foreign Policy Group how the UK might fare under Trump 2.0. Bloomberg's EMEA News Director Roaslind Mathieson tells us how European leaders have reacted. Plus, is the UK already in a recession? New economic data coming this week will answer that question. Our economics and government reporter Lucy White discusses what the figures could mean for Rishi Sunak. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Caroline Hepker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 9, 2024 • 29min
It's Not Easy Being Green: Labour's Policy Dilemma
We talk through the challenges facing the Labour Party after Keir Starmer's U-turn on a £28 billion green spending pledge attracted criticism with Labour strategist John McTernan. He says Labour needs to get radical, meanwhile former Tory donor Nick Candy tells Bloomberg its time for a change in government.Plus, Chief Economist at Panmure Gordon and former Cabinet staffer Simon French tells us what he makes of news Jeremy Hunt seems to be coming round to calls for a British ISA. Hosted by Lizzy Burden and Caroline Hepker See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.