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Michael Gove, a seasoned politician, shares his insights alongside David Miles from the Office for Budget Responsibility. They delve into Rachel Reeves' recent budget announcement, dissecting the £15 billion in spending cuts and its political ramifications. The discussion highlights the bleak growth forecasts and the impact of welfare reforms. They tackle the moral dilemmas surrounding welfare cuts and the government's heavy reliance on the OBR, raising questions about who truly runs the country and how Labour can drive economic growth.

Katy Balls, a sharp political commentator for The Spectator, joins the discussion on the tense political climate surrounding Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement. She highlights internal rifts within the Labour Party as ministers voice displeasure over potential cuts. The risks of alienating voters through austerity measures are scrutinized, and concerns grow over how to maintain party unity amidst leadership ambitions. The anticipation builds for Reeves' press conference, raising critical questions about the road ahead for Labour.

The discussion kicks off with the British government's consideration of scrapping its digital services tax to avoid looming tariffs from the Trump administration. Experts weigh the effectiveness and desirability of such a move. Delving deeper, they explore the potential fallout on international trade and foreign policy, particularly how this affects key allies. The conversation also touches on the geopolitical implications in light of events in Ukraine, highlighting the ethical challenges leaders face in military support.

In this engaging discussion, Mel Stride, Shadow Chancellor, dives into the UK's ambitious net-zero target and the challenges surrounding its feasibility. He tackles Kemi Badenoch's bold claim that achieving this goal is 'impossible.' The conversation also sheds light on the stark contrasts in economic policies and the impact on small businesses, amid rising scrutiny of the Labour Party's fiscal strategies. Stride emphasizes the need for balancing environmental commitments with economic realities, making for a compelling exploration of current political dynamics.

The podcast dives into the contentious lockdown decision made by the UK government in March 2020. Two leading voices debate whether it was a necessary health measure or a violation of civil liberties. They examine Sweden's strategy of avoiding lockdowns, questioning how different approaches affected public health. A light-hearted discussion on the culinary classification of a Scotch egg adds humor to the serious topics at hand. This debate captures the struggle between safety and freedom while addressing the complexities of crisis management.

Kemi Badenoch takes center stage as she announces a policy review in response to criticism. She declares Britain’s 2050 net zero emissions target ‘impossible,’ stirring reactions within the Conservative Party. The discussion dives into her leadership dynamics and the party's internal factions, especially with local elections looming. Can her proactive stance shift public perception and avoid electoral disaster? Amid political turbulence, the need for effective communication is crucial for the Conservatives' future.

It’s a big day in defence. Keir Starmer began the day in Barrow talking about nuclear subs and will end the day in a meeting of the ‘coalition of the willing’ on the outskirts of London. But that coalition seems like it could be undermined by the European Commission’s decision to exclude non-EU arms makers from the bloc’s new €150 billion defence fund. Officials are keen to stress that this is not a done deal yet, but this would be a massive blow for the UK (and the US) and a big win for France. With Europe rearming, who stands to benefit? And what should we expect from the meeting of military officials later today? Oscar Edmondson speaks to James Heale and Eliot Wilson, former clerk to the House of Commons, including on the Defence Committee. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

The question that everyone in Westminster wants answered is what will actually be included in next week’s Spring Statement. Previously, the Spring Statement wasn’t looking like much to write home about – little more than an update. But with the economy taking a turn for the worse and her fiscal headroom narrowing, it has taken on renewed importance for Rachel Reeves, with the opposition trying their best to brand it as an ‘Emergency Budget’. What does Reeves need to do to calm the markets? Also on the podcast, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell gave an interesting interview to Newsnight last night, defending the government’s welfare reforms. Where are we with the fallout from Liz Kendall’s benefit crackdown? James Heale speaks to Isabel Hardman and Katy Balls. Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

This afternoon we had Liz Kendall’s long-awaited address in the Commons on Labour’s plans for welfare reform. The prospect of £5 billion worth of cuts to welfare has split the party in two, with fears of a rebellion growing over the weekend and into this week. Her announcement was a mixed bag, including: restricting eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) so that only those who have the highest level of disability can claim the benefit and – to sweeten the deal for backbenchers – announcing that the government will not bring in vouchers for disability benefit or freeze PIP. One of the new lines that had not been trailed in advance was that under 22s would not be eligible for the health top-up of Universal Credit (UC). What’s the politics of all this? Will Labour MPs stomach Liz Kendall’s benefits crackdown? Katy Balls speaks to The Spectator's new economics editor Michael Simmons and Stephen Bush, associate editor at the Financial Times. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Cindy Yu.

Bridget Phillipson's schools bill is back in the Commons today. The scope of the legislation is twofold: firstly, looking at the welfare of children in schools and secondly at fundamentally changing the landscape of secondary education by doing away with academies (and with it the legacy of the previous Conservative government on education). The plan has been read by many – including former head of Ofsted Amanda Spielman, who joins today's podcast – as Labour pandering to the unions and perhaps even prioritising the adults (union members) over the children. Amendments to the bill will be debated this afternoon, including a Tory amendment that would ban phones in schools, although it doesn't seem that Labour is in the mood to make any concessions. What is motivating Labour? What's the vision of change here? James Heale speaks to Michael Gove and Amanda Spielman. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Megan McElroy.