

The Briefing Room
BBC Radio 4
David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news
Episodes
Mentioned books

9 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 29min
Should the government worry about debt?
Duncan Weldon, an economist and author, joins Mehreen Khan and Chris Giles, economics editors at The Times and Financial Times respectively. They delve into the UK's soaring national debt, escalating from £1.8 trillion to £2.8 trillion, and the implications for government spending and market trust. The trio discusses how fiscal policies and historical context shape today’s debt landscape, examining the balance between public perception and financial management. They also draw lessons from Japan and the U.S. on handling national debt and its impact on future generations.

Jul 31, 2025 • 29min
Why don't we have ID cards in the UK?
For years there has been an argument, sometimes loud, sometimes subdued, on whether Britain needs an ID card system. One big reason given for wanting them is simply to know who is here legally. With illegal and irregular migration never far from the headlines these days and with President Macron, during his recent visit describing the “pull factor” of illegal migrants being able to work in Britain, the debate is being resurrected. So, what is the history of ID cards in the UK, what form might they take if we have a system and would they work? Presenter: David AaronovitchGuests:Jon Agar, author of The Government Machine
Rainer Kattel, Professor of Innovation and Public Governance, UCL
Edgar Whitley, Professor of Information Systems in the Department of Management, LSE
Rachel Coldicutt, technology specialist and executive director of the research consultancy, Careful Industries. Producers: Caroline Bayley, Kirsteen Knight and Sally Abrahams
Productions co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound engineers: James Beard and Neil Churchill
Editors: Sam Bonham and Bridget Harney

Jul 24, 2025 • 28min
How close is the UK getting to the European Union?
'Britain is back on the world stage' said Prime Minister Keir Starmer in May following the first UK-EU summit since the UK left the EU in January 2020. Outline agreements were reached to remove red tape for British farm exports and energy trading with the EU as well as plans for a security and defence partnership. Then a few weeks later
the Prime Minister held summits in London with first the French President, Emmanuel Macron and then the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz. David Aaronovitch asks whether this is the beginning of a new closer relationship with the European Union and if so, what compromises might need to be made.Guests:
Peter Foster, World Trade Editor of the Financial Times
Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government
Anand Menon, Director of the UK in a Changing Europe
Mujtaba Rahman, Managing Director for Europe at Eurasia Group ConsultancyPresenter: David Aaronovitch
Producers: Caroline Bayley, Ben Carter and Kirsteen Knight
Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Studio engineers: Callum Mclean and James Beard
Editors: Richard Vadon and Lisa Baxter

14 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 29min
Is the tide turning in the Ukraine war?
Paul Adams, BBC World Affairs Correspondent recently returned from Kiev, joins Anton Grushetskyi, Executive Director of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, to dissect the shifting dynamics of the Ukraine war. They discuss the recent change in U.S. policy towards Russia, including potential tariffs and military support to Ukraine. Amid rising pessimism among Ukrainians, they explore the psychological toll of drone warfare and the efficacy of Ukraine's defense strategies. Will these developments alter the course of the conflict?

Jul 10, 2025 • 29min
The Trump hokey cokey is back - what happens to world trade now?
The Trump hokey cokey is back. Tariffs on, tariffs reduced - now they’re heading back up again.
It really got going on April 2nd- President Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” - when he announced a swathe of punitive tariffs on trading partners across the world. The markets tanked and then there was a pause. Countries had 90 days to strike a trade deal - 90 deals in 90 days - we were told. But there weren’t. There were only 2. The deadline was this week but now it’s next month. But in the past few days the White House has been sending out a flurry of letters with higher tariffs for those without a deal - which is almost everyone. David Aaronovitch asks his guests just what is going on, what’s happening to world trade and what happens next? Guests:
Soumaya Keynes, Economics Columnist The Financial Times
Meredith Crowley, Professor of Economics, University of Cambridge
Justin Wolfers, Professor of Economics and Public Professor of Economics and Public Policy, University of Michigan
Philip Coggan, author, The Economic Consequences of Mr Trump: What the Trade War Means for the World Presenter: David Aaronovitch
Producers: Caroline Bayley, Sally Abrahams, Kirsteen Knight
Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele
Sound engineer: Neil Churchill and David Crackles
Editor: Richard Vadon

Jul 3, 2025 • 29min
Why is there a row about disability benefits?
Paul Lewis, presenter of Radio 4's Moneybox, joins the discussion on the recent backlash over disability benefits. The conversation reveals a staggering 40-50% surge in claims since the pandemic, especially among younger individuals facing mental health challenges. They dissect the complexities of Personal Independence Payments and the proposed government reforms, raising critical questions about who qualifies and the potential impacts on support for those unable to work. The episode navigates the intricate balance between financial constraints and the need for a fair benefits system.

Jun 26, 2025 • 29min
Iran: What happens next?
In this discussion, Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor at The Economist, and Dr. Patricia Lewis, an expert in arms control and nuclear physics, dive into the complexities surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions. They analyze how U.S. military actions have impacted Iran's nuclear capabilities and the country's potential for regime change. The conversation also covers the internal turmoil within Iran and the implications of an upcoming leadership succession, alongside Iran's ongoing quest for nuclear materials amid growing international scrutiny.

Jun 19, 2025 • 7min
Explainer: Tensions over Kashmir
Following a deadly terrorist attack in Indian administered Kashmir in April a short military conflict broke out between India and Pakistan. For a brief history of the tensions over Kashmir Caroline Bayley spoke to former BBC India correspondent, Andrew Whitehead, who’s an expert on Kashmir and its history and author of “A mission in Kashmir”.
This is part of a new mini-series called The Briefing Room Explainers. They’re short versions of previous episodes of the Briefing Room.
Presenter: David Aaronovitch
Producer: Caroline Bayley
Editor: Richard Vadon

Jun 12, 2025 • 7min
Explainer: Putin’s motivation for war with Ukraine
As the Ukraine war grinds on with little sign of Russian president, Vladimir Putin agreeing to a ceasefire we trace the evolution of his attitude towards Ukraine. David Aaronovitch spoke to Vitaly Shevchenko who is Russia editor for BBC Monitoring and co-presenter of the BBC’s Ukrainecast.This is part of a new mini-series called the The Briefing Room Explainers. They’re short versions of previous episodes of the Briefing Room.Presenter: David Aaronovitch
Producer: Caroline Bayley
Editor: Richard Vadon

6 snips
Jun 5, 2025 • 8min
Explainer: A history of US tariffs
Dive into the rich history of tariffs in the U.S., starting from the era of President McKinley. Discover how tariffs shaped American industries and government revenues in the late 19th century. Unpack the complex relationship between tariffs and economic growth, challenging the notion that they were the sole path to national prosperity. Explore the political evolution surrounding trade policies and the lasting impact of tariffs, including their relevance in today's economic landscape.