Politics At Sam and Anne's

More than 50,000 migrants have arrived on small boats across the English Channel since Labour came to power, but will Keir Starmer’s plan to smash the gangs and the ‘one in, one out' scheme solve the issue?    In this episode, Sam and Anne are joined by Danny Shaw, a former journalist and adviser to Yvette Cooper, to discuss the Home Office’s biggest priorities.  They discuss:   If more needs to be done to stop migrants crossing the Channel.   What policing reform could look like.   Whether there is a plan to lower violence against women and girls.   Sam and Anne’s weekday morning episodes return on 1st September.

Education, education, education' was how Tony Blair set out New Labour's priorities in the early noughties. A quarter of a century on, what story is Keir Starmer trying to tell about schools under his premiership?In this episode, Sam and Anne are joined by Laura McInerney, a former teacher and co-founder of Teacher Tapp, to break down the government's plan for education as we head into a new school year. They ask:•  What will be included in the education white paper?•  Can there be further devolution within the education system?•  Will Bridget Phillipson remain as the education secretary? Sam and Anne are getting a lie-in over summer recess, but they'll be in your feed with special episodes every Monday before normal services resumes on 1 September.

Joining the discussion is Alastair McLellan, the Editor-in-chief of the Health Service Journal, with two decades of expertise in healthcare. He unpacks the government's ambitious 10-year health plan aimed at revamping the NHS. The conversation highlights significant trends in health service funding, the transformative role of technology and AI, and the ongoing workforce crisis exacerbated by strikes. They also delve into the political maneuvering surrounding crucial policies like assisted dying and the broader implications for public health.

Sir Keir Starmer is a prime minister who is arguably more comfortable abroad – and has spent his first year in office putting Britain front and centre on the world stage. So, in this episode, Sam and Anne are joined by Politico's editor-in-chief, John Harris, to discuss the major international issues facing the government in the coming parliament.With trade deals and ongoing conflicts across the globe dominating the agenda, the trio ask:• Is the UK living in Trumpland?• How will relationships abroad impact Britain's role in the world?• And does Starmer have the political strength to put pen-to-paper on some upcoming deals with the EU? Sam and Anne are getting a lie-in over summer recess, but they'll be in your feed with special episodes every Monday, before normal service resumes on 1 September.

It is arguably the number one issue facing the government – how do they get the economy thriving and growing again.  Sam and Anne are joined by Sky News’ Economics and Data Editor, Ed Conway, to weigh up the options on the table for Rachel Reeves.  Ahead of a crucial budget in the autumn, the trio address:  How will the Chancellor fill the black hole in the public finances? Are tax changes on the horizon? Will there be more nationalisation?  Plus, there is still some time to predict if Rachel Reeves will remain in Number 11 Downing Street, after a tumultuous year in office.  Sam and Anne are getting a lie-in over summer recess, but they’ll be in your feed with special episodes every Monday before normal services resumes on September 1st. 

We couldn’t get to recess without a reshuffle after all. Standby for movements on the Conservative frontbench today.  It sounds like Sir James Cleverly is on his way back to shadow cabinet. Sam and Anne discuss how Kemi Badenoch will feel about the optics of that return.  Also, on the day MPs leave Westminster for summer, the Chancellor faces the Treasury Committee after an eventful couple of weeks.

The Government announces the “Reed Reforms” to fix Britain’s water system, but will it make a difference?  Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy consider if customers' bills will go down and what practical changes will be made.  The Prime Minister meets with two world leaders later this week ahead of the parliamentary summer recess.  Plus, we hear about an unexpected visitor in the Coates household.

The Prime Minister suspends four Labour MPs for “persistent breaches of discipline” as the fallout from the welfare reforms continues.  Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy discuss who they are, why now and what was the point, as the government attempts to restore order on the backbenches.   Keir Starmer also welcomes German Chancellor – Friedrich Merz – to London, in the hope of signing a wide-ranging bilateral cooperation treaty.  Plus, the PM’s missions reappear on the agenda as he makes a speech at the first Civil Society Summit. 

Now details of the enormous accidental data breach by a British soldier that put thousands of Afghans’ lives at risk can be discussed publicly – Sam and Anne try to address some of the biggest questions on this episode. They include: Why did the government break the glass on using a superinjunction? Has anyone been sacked? Why did the Labour government keep the superinjunction in place for so long?  There’s still a bit of time to go over Rachel Reeves’ Mansion House speech. Did it reassure financiers and investors? 

With the Chancellor set to make a keynote speech to the City at Mansion House - are her fiscal rules as iron clad as we thought?  Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy explore what options are on the table for Rachel Reeves to fill the large black hole in the public finances.  Across the pond, Donald Trump says he “likes” Keir Starmer, even though “he’s a liberal” - as he puts pressure on Vladimir Putin to sign a ceasefire agreement.  Plus, the government pushes a new scheme to promote the purchase of electric cars, but it will make a difference?