Political Fix

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said net migration is too high following data showing that it hit a record last year, but he insists it’s not out of control. The FT’s Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher digs into the political debate over immigration with columnist Stephen Bush and chief political commentator Rober Shrimsley. Also, what to make of the Cabinet Office referring Boris Johnson to the police over further potential breaches of coronavirus regulations? Plus, Northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams gives an update on her scoop about the government’s flagship regeneration scheme - now under scrutiny amid allegations of cronyism and waste.Follow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_FisherWant more?  UK net immigration hits record high of 606,000The old cycle of British immigration policy is unwindingYes, Suella Braverman should go, but not for the reason you thinkSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Audrey Tinline. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Mix by Jake Fielding and Breen Turner. Original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Critics claim the Tories lack an industrial strategy and three former business secretaries have said that this fails to prepare Britain for the future. George Parker, the FT’s political editor, hears from Greg Clark, one of those former ministers, and industry correspondent Sylvia Pfeiffer. Plus, Labour leader Keir Starmer’s recent speeches reveal much about the conservatism of the country - an issue that will be key in the general election expected next year. Chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and the FT’s new Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher discuss.Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 Best Newsletter award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Presented by George Parker. Produced by Anna Dedhar. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer is Breen Turner and the FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Follow @GeorgeWParker on Twitter Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cutting inflation and stopping small-boat migration are two of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s five core priorities, but there's no let-up in inflation or unhappiness with the government's policy on asylum seekers. George Parker, the FT’s political editor, discusses with economics correspondent Delphine Strauss and economics editor Chris Giles how far off target the government is. Plus, the UK’s stretched public finances are braced for a hit of up to £10bn in compensation claims for those affected by a decades-long NHS contaminated blood scandal. How did it happen? George hears from global health editor Sarah Neville and Barry Flynn, one of the victims who has severe haemophilia A and was infected with hepatitis C.Want more?UK faces bill of up to £10bn to cover blood scandal compensationInflation and NHS waiting lists threaten Rishi Sunak’s five-pledge strategyUK borrowing costs increase to their highest level in almost 15 yearsUK plans curbs on visas for overseas students’ family membersSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Presented by George Parker. Produced by Anna Dedhar. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer is Breen Turner and the FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Follow @GeorgeWParker on Twitter Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For Prime Minister Rishi Sunak the results were ‘disappointing’, Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer claimed his party was heading for power and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey wore a ‘Cheshire cat’ grin. What do this week’s local elections in England show about the likely direction of the next general election? Host George Parker discusses with columnist Stephen Bush, Northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams and the FT’s new Whitehall editor Lucy Fisher.Presented by George Parker. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh Gabert-Doyon. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer is Breen Turner and the FT’s head of audio is Cheryl BrumleyNews clips: Sky, BBC, GB NewsSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Follow @GeorgeWParker on Twitter Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak has launched a charm offensive to win back the support of business while Labour wines and dines the financial community. Are their efforts to connect with corporate Britain convincing? Host George Parker discusses with the FT’s markets editor Katie Martin and deputy political editor, Jim Pickard. Plus, we look ahead to next week’s local elections. George and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe compare notes on the mood they found on the doorsteps around the country and columnist Robert Shrimsley provides his analysis.Want more?Why the Tories worry about Labour’s charm offensive with businessJeremy Hunt admits UK business taxes too high as government pressed on strategySunak aims to woo Britain’s business leaders in corporate resetSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Presented by George Parker. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh Gabert-Doyon. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer is Jan Sigsworth and the FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Follow @GeorgeWParker on Twitter Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re bringing you an extended edition of the podcast recorded during a webinar from the FT Live events team. Host Miranda Green is joined by FT columnist Stephen Bush, the FT’s public policy editor Peter Foster and Jane Green, professor of political science at Nuffield College, University of Oxford, to answer subscribers’ questions on factors that will shape the outcome of 2024’s UK general election. How much will Brexit matter, who will be more convincing on law and order and immigration, and how will the generation divide play out? Presented by Stephen Bush. Produced by Anna Dedhar. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer is Breen Turner and the FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Follow @greenmiranda on Twitter Sign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com View our accessibility guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Biden’s visit to Northern Ireland was designed to mark the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. But it was brief compared with his stay in the Republic of Ireland. Did the US president's presence help or hinder the prime minister’s efforts to restart power-sharing self-government in the Northern Ireland Assembly? Host Miranda Green discusses US-UK relations with Ireland correspondent Jude Webber and the FT’s chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley. Plus, sewage again and everywhere: it's in the UK’s rivers and seas. Is there a risk it could sweep away Conservative councillors and MPs? Columnist Stephen Bush and Gill Plimmer, the FT's expert on the privatised utilities, are on hand to discuss.Presented by Miranda Green. Produced by Anna Dedhar. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer is Breen Turner and the FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.News clip: BBCWant more?Joe Biden’s long Good Friday Joe Biden in Ireland: ‘Your feet will bring you where your heart is’ Biden’s ‘homecoming’ Ireland visit mired in post-Brexit politicsOfwat has fined just one water company over 1994 sewage spill rulesTwo water groups blamed for 40% of England’s sewage spills in 2022Join a panel led by award-winning columnists Miranda Green and Stephen Bush, who writes the daily Inside Politics newsletter, for an FT subscriber webinar on the factors that will shape the outcome of next year's general election hereFollow @greenmiranda on TwitterSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politicsRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Getting out of the UK - and indeed getting in - is becoming more difficult. Host Miranda Green unpicks home secretary Suella Braverman’s tough talk on British borders with FT columnist Stephen Bush and Rhys Clyne, the Institute for Government’s home affairs expert. Plus: this week marked the death of Nigel Lawson, one of the most consequential and longest-serving British chancellors of the 20th century. Miranda discusses his highs and lows with FT economics editor Chris Giles and Patience Wheatcroft, veteran business journalist.Presented by Miranda Green. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Persis Love. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer is Breen Turner.News clips: Sky, BBCWant more?Dorset residents unite against plan to moor asylum seekers in port UK passport delays hit ‘unacceptable level’ in 2022, says report Nigel Lawson, chancellor and journalist, 1932-2023Brexit gives us a chance to finish the Thatcher revolution - by Nigel Lawson, September 2016 Follow @greenmirandaSign up for a free 90 days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politics Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK government unveiled a new net zero plan this week after the High Court ruled last year that existing plans were not enough for the UK to reach net zero targets. So is the new plan up to scratch? Host George Parker discusses with the deputy political editor Jim Pickard and climate reporter Camilla Hodgson. Plus, campaigning has kicked off for the May local elections. Labour and the Liberal Democrats have been out on the road but where were the Conservatives? Deputy opinion editor Miranda Green and columnist Stephen Bush look ahead to a vital test of public opinion.Presented by George Parker. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer was Breen TurnerNews clips: BBC-Follow @GeorgeWParker -Sign up for Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter - free for 90 days -Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com -View our accessibility guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson testified for his political life this week but was it enough to save his political career? George Parker discusses the former prime minister's future with the FT’s political commentator Stephen Bush and political correspondent Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. Plus, while the Tory Eurosceptics may have been crushed after Rishi Sunak won a vote on a new post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland, the Democratic Unionist party is still saying it won’t return to power-sharing in Stormont. The FT’s Ireland correspondent Jude Webber and public policy editor Peter Foster give their analysis.Produced by Anna Dedhar and Manuela Saragosa. The sound engineer was Breen Turner  -Follow @GeorgeWParker -Subscribe to FT UK politics newsletter -Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com -View our accessibility guide  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.