The Daily T

The Chancellor is set to raise taxes in her autumn Budget – again – despite Labour promising not to, and it’s all to fund £15bn in extra benefits.Rachel Reeves is expected to end the two-child benefit cap, just the latest reversal on a policy unpopular with Labour backbenchers.Camilla and Tim are joined by Telegraph political editor Ben Riley-Smith to explain the thinking inside the Treasury during one of the most chaotic lead-ups to a Budget in memory.Plus, Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake has caused a storm after comparing a Reform football shirt to a Nazi symbol. His Reform counterpart David Bull calls for Hollinrake’s resignation.We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducer: Lilian FawcettSenior Producer: John CadiganVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a Daily T exclusive, Camilla and Tim speak to Princess Diana’s long-time former private secretary, Patrick Jephson.In 1995 the BBC journalist Martin Bashir convinced Diana that the trusted adviser was spying on her, in order to secure the now infamous Panorama interview. Jepshon left his role soon after and the Princess went to her grave believing he had betrayed her.Thirty years on, Jephson tells The Daily T about his relief that the world knows about Bashir’s deception, his regret at never reconciling with the Princess, and the future of the Royal family.We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducer: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia CoanSenior Producer: John CadiganVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Straitjacketed by a manifesto that promised not to raise income tax, National Insurance or VAT on “working people” – and stymied by an exodus of people wealthy enough to seek financial safety elsewhere – the Labour party is scrambling to raise enough revenue to fill a £20bn fiscal black hole.As the 2025 autumn Budget draws ever closer, there is increasing apprehension as to whether Chancellor Rachel Reeves is going to employ a “mansion tax” to help balance the books.In today’s Daily T, Tim is joined by Jacob Rees-Mogg and Allister Heath to preview what’s set to be an “horrendous” upcoming Budget, why time is running out for both Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves and how the right needs to unite ahead of a possible early general election in 2027.Producer: Hugo Verelst-WayAdditonial production from Mikey OlympitisSenior Producer: John CadiganVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A stark new review has found that Britain is not ready for war, warning landing on the same morning the Government unveiled fresh plans to boost the nation’s defences.This morning, Defence Secretary John Healey unveiled a major £1.5bn investment in 13 new UK munitions factories, a bid to ramp up Britain’s defence industry as global threats escalate. The announcement came as Healey revealed that a Russian intelligence-gathering ship, the Yantar, has been skirting the edge of UK waters north of Scotland, allegedly firing lasers at RAF surveillance pilots and mapping Britain’s undersea cables. “My message to Russia and to Putin is this: we see you… and we are ready,” he said.All this lands as MI5 issues fresh warnings about Chinese espionage. Following the collapse of the case against two men accused of spying for Beijing, security officials have now named two Chinese state-linked ‘recruiters’ using LinkedIn to target Westminster insiders.Camilla and Tim discuss the future of Britain’s defence with the former head of MI6, Sir John Sawers, as they ask him about China, the failure of the Prevent anti-terrorism scheme programme and why he thinks Russia is the greatest threat to this country.We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducer: Georgia CoanSenior Producer: John CadiganVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK has set out its plans to plug a £25bn hole in the economy, and the policies essentially amount to one thing: making it more expensive to be a foreigner in Britain.But the press conference got a bit frosty when Camilla asked Nigel Farage who his pick for chancellor would be.Meanwhile, in another central London conference centre, the Conservatives were announcing...not very much at all. But things got interesting when Kemi Badenoch called out a Guardian journalist who was in the room.Camilla and Tim assess the credibility of the Tories’ and Reform’s economic plans and, crucially, bemoan the declining quality of press conference snacks.We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducer: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia CoanSenior Producer: John CadiganVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shabana Mahmood’s bold asylum crackdown draws inspiration from Denmark, featuring lengthy waits for refugee applications. Camilla and Tim discuss the controversial measures, including forcing asylum seekers to sell their assets. They question whether these tactics will truly deter illegal crossings. The conversation also tackles Britain's unique cultural context compared to Denmark and the potential legal challenges from the ECHR. Amidst internal Labour opposition, the hosts ponder the political risks and how this could reshape party dynamics.

In this episode, Andy Webb, an investigative journalist and author of "Dianorama," uncovers shocking tactics used by Martin Bashir to secure his infamous 1995 interview with Princess Diana. He reveals how forgery and manipulation played pivotal roles in gaining Diana's trust, ultimately jeopardizing her safety. The discussion touches on the profound implications of Bashir's deceit and the BBC's cover-up that lasted decades. Webb argues that this scandal may be even more damaging than the notorious phone-hacking incidents.

David Chaudois, a former Newsnight graphic designer and whistleblower, reveals shocking truths about BBC's editorial practices. He uncovers how Newsnight doctored Trump's January 6th speech, mirroring earlier Panorama edits. During a live segment, a contributor boldly challenged the misleading clip, yet the show continued without addressing the splice. Chaudois shares insights into the workplace culture that allowed these incidents, raising concerns about systemic issues and bias within the BBC. The discussion emphasizes the need for accountability and public trust.

Ben Riley-Smith, Political Editor at The Telegraph, dives into the whirlwind surrounding Keir Starmer's leadership in the Labour party. He unpacks rumors of a coup led by top ministers, including Wes Streeting, who jokingly references being a 'Faithful' from The Traitors. The discussion reveals tensions within the party, with allegations of sexist briefings and debates over leadership alternatives. Plus, the panel assesses how recent policy moves are aimed at quelling potential rebellions and the impact of public sentiment on party dynamics.

President Donald Trump has gone to war with the BBC - demanding one billion dollars unless the broadcaster apologises for their Panorama investigation by Friday. The US president is accusing the public broadcaster of a “reckless disregard for the truth” over the selective editing of Mr Trump’s speech on the day of the Capitol Hill riot. Despite the BBC’s current turmoil, outgoing director general Tim Davie has told his staff to “fight for our journalism” and attacked the BBC’s “enemies”. In today’s Daily T, Camilla and Tim unpack why the former US president is threatening legal action and how this fits into Trump’s long history of lawsuits which he is known for using to silence journalists and critics.We want to hear from you! Email us at thedailyt@telegraph.co.uk or find @dailytpodcast on TikTok, Instagram and X► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorProducer: Hugo Verelst-WaySenior Producer: John CadiganVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.