Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

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Join Ian Collins on Talk for a lively, no-nonsense look at the day’s biggest stories, from politics and current affairs to culture and entertainment. Ian dives deep with expert guests, outspoken commentators, and compelling callers, bringing fresh angles and sharp analysis to everything making headlines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. vor 5 Std.

    Has University Failed a Generation?

    Has university failed a generation? Andy Burnham has announced a major shake-up of England’s education system, signalling the end of the Blair-era ambition of sending 50% of young people to university and placing greater emphasis on technical and vocational education from the age of 14. Political commentator Charlie Rowley discusses what the changes mean for young people, employers and Britain’s economy. Is Burnham right to move away from a university-first approach, or does the country risk lowering educational aspirations? Rose Stephenson, Director of Policy and Strategy at the Higher Education Policy Institute, argues that the reforms are about expanding opportunities for the half of young people who do not go to university, rather than limiting those who do. Can a stronger technical pathway finally give vocational education the status it deserves? Executive Headteacher Mark Lehain questions whether steering pupils towards technical education from the age of 14 risks entrenching inequality, with children from disadvantaged backgrounds potentially being channelled into lower-quality vocational routes too early. Finally, former Ofsted Chief Inspector Baroness Spielman assesses whether Burnham’s plans can succeed in practice. With high-quality technical education significantly more expensive to deliver, is the Government prepared to invest enough, or is this simply an ambitious vision without the funding needed to make it work? Andy Burnham, university, apprenticeships, technical education, vocational education, schools, Ofsted, higher education and skills. Has Britain finally moved beyond the university-first model? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. vor 1 Tag

    Has the Welfare State Gone Too Far?

    Is Britain rewarding welfare over work? As Andy Burnham prepares to crack down on sickness benefits for young people, a wider debate is growing over welfare, social care, policing and whether Britain is becoming too dependent on the state. Ben Gregg, Head of Welfare at the Centre for Social Justice, discusses Burnham’s plans to tighten eligibility for youth sickness benefits amid concerns that too many young people are being signed off work with anxiety and other mental health conditions. Is the welfare system helping people back into work, or trapping a generation on benefits? Author and sociologist Frank Furedi examines Britain’s deepening social care crisis after calls for the Prime Minister to rule out tax rises to fund reform. Can the sector be fixed without asking taxpayers to shoulder an even greater burden, and is a market-led approach the answer? Former Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector David Spencer, now Head of Crime and Justice at Policy Exchange, reacts to reports that police forces have spent £630 million on anti-racist policies. Has the focus shifted too far away from frontline policing and crime prevention? Finally, Dr David Klemperer, Research Assistant at the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath, discusses proposals for compulsory voting as Andy Burnham considers electoral reform. Would mandatory voting strengthen British democracy, or undermine personal freedom? Andy Burnham, welfare reform, youth sickness benefits, social care, tax rises, policing, anti-racism, compulsory voting, electoral reform and British politics. Is Britain becoming too reliant on the state? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. vor 6 Tagen

    Is Andy Burnham Dividing Britain?

    Is Andy Burnham creating a two-tier Britain? Just days into his premiership, the Prime Minister is facing criticism over a growing North-South divide, a string of expensive spending promises, and mounting questions about how his government will pay the bill. Journalist and author Michael Crick discusses claims that Burnham’s agenda risks deepening regional divisions, why his government is already under pressure over a raft of uncosted pledges, and reports that ministers have now been ordered to find savings despite announcing major new spending commitments. Robert Bates, Research Director at the Centre for Migration, examines the continuing row over asylum accommodation after a village voted on plans to leave the UK over migrant housing proposals, the legal challenge surrounding the use of an army base to house asylum seekers, and his own campaign to force the Government to publish data on serious crimes committed by migrants. Finally, former police officer and Fair Cop founder Harry Miller reacts to the planned early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers and the backlash after Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood apologised for joking about early prisoner releases. Has prison reform gone too far, and is public confidence in the justice system being undermined? Andy Burnham, North-South divide, Labour spending, asylum seekers, immigration, migrant crime, PC Andrew Harper, early prisoner release, criminal justice and British politics. Is Britain becoming more divided under the new government? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. 21. Juli

    Burnham’s New Cabinet: Built to Win?

    Charlie Rowley sits in for Ian Collins. Andy Burnham’s cabinet: Built to win or to fail? On his first full day as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham has unveiled a dramatically reshaped Cabinet, appointing John Healey as Chancellor, Wes Streeting as Defence Secretary, bringing Angela Rayner back into government after her resignation over a tax scandal, and handing senior roles to key allies as he promises the biggest political changes in decades. Sam Lister, Associate Editor at the Express, assesses Burnham’s new top team, the political winners and losers, and whether the Prime Minister has assembled a Cabinet capable of delivering his ambitious agenda or one that risks deepening divisions within Labour. Economist Professor Jonathan Portes examines the economic challenges facing the new Chancellor, with UK public debt nearing £3 trillion and difficult decisions looming over borrowing, spending and the possibility of future tax rises. Former Conservative Defence Minister Sir Gerald Howarth gives his verdict on Wes Streeting’s appointment as Defence Secretary, asking whether he has the experience to oversee Britain’s armed forces at a time of growing international instability. Finally, James Heale, Deputy Political Editor at The Spectator, analyses Burnham’s sweeping Cabinet reshuffle, the return of Angela Rayner, the appointment of John Healey as Chancellor and whether this is a government built for long-term success or political turmoil. Andy Burnham, Cabinet reshuffle, John Healey, Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, Chancellor, public debt, tax rises, Labour government and British politics. Has Burnham built a Cabinet to win or one destined to fail? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. 20. Juli

    Burnham’s Vision: Will Britain Buy It?

    Can Andy Burnham unite Britain? The Prime Minister has unveiled his 10-year plan for the UK, promising to tackle the cost of living, rebuild public services and reshape the economy. But with critics warning of a new era of big government and polling suggesting many southern voters question his legitimacy, can Burnham win over the whole country? Alex Deane, political commentator, breaks down Burnham’s first major policy agenda, the promise to ease the cost of living, concerns over expanding the state, and whether the Prime Minister has secured a genuine mandate for change. Peter Cardwell, Talk presenter, and former Labour official Richard Power Sayeed debate whether Burnham’s programme represents a fresh direction for Britain or simply a return to traditional Labour politics. Finally, Lord Matthew Elliott, founder of the TaxPayers’ Alliance and former Vote Leave chief executive, gives his verdict on Burnham’s economic vision, the implications for taxpayers and business, and Boris Johnson’s latest intervention on Brexit, Partygate and the advice he says he would give the new Prime Minister. Andy Burnham, 10-year plan, cost of living, big state, Labour government, legitimacy, Brexit, Boris Johnson and Britain’s future. Can Burnham bring the country together behind his vision? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. 17. Juli

    Can Andy Burnham Deliver?

    Has Andy Burnham finally set out his vision for Britain? After delivering his first major speech as Labour’s incoming leader, Burnham says he will offer a “new path for the UK” and attempt to reset British politics after the collapse of the Starmer era. Anna Mikhailova, Political Editor at Times Radio, reacts to Burnham’s speech and the mood inside Labour as the party prepares for a new chapter. What were the key pledges, and can Burnham convince voters that this is more than just a rebrand? From CPAC, former Thatcher adviser Nile Gardiner gives the international perspective, discussing what Burnham’s rise means for Britain’s relationship with the United States, NATO and the wider Western alliance at a time of growing global instability. Clark Vasey, Director of Blue Collar Conservatism, assesses whether Burnham’s message can win over working-class voters who have drifted away from Labour, while political commentator Sebastian Salek examines the broader implications for the Conservatives and Reform UK. We also discuss reports that Sadiq Khan has been awarded a peerage alongside several other Labour figures in one of Keir Starmer’s final acts before leaving Downing Street. What does it say about the outgoing Prime Minister’s priorities, and how will it be received by voters? Andy Burnham speech, Labour leadership, Starmer legacy, Sadiq Khan peerage, CPAC, NATO, Reform UK and the future of Britain. Is Burnham offering a genuine new direction for the country? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. 15. Juli

    Are Reform Politicians in Danger?

    Are Reform politicians in danger? The investigation into the killing of Ann Widdecombe has raised fresh concerns about the safety of elected representatives after police revealed the suspect may have targeted other Reform politicians as they investigate a suspected left-wing extremist motive. Political commentator Chloe Dobbs discusses the implications of the latest developments, including claims that Nigel Farage receives around 30 death threats every week, and asks whether Britain’s political climate has become increasingly dangerous for those in public life. Laila Cunningham, Reform UK’s London mayoral candidate for 2028, explains how the party is responding to heightened security concerns, whether Reform politicians are being disproportionately targeted, and what impact the threats are having on campaigning and public engagement. Finally, Lord Daniel Finkelstein, Times columnist and Conservative peer, assesses the wider implications for British democracy after Andy Burnham called for a review of MP safety. Should politicians receive greater protection, and how can democratic debate be safeguarded without isolating elected representatives from the public? Ann Widdecombe, Reform UK, Nigel Farage, political violence, death threats, extremism, MP security, Andy Burnham and British democracy. Are Reform politicians facing a growing security threat? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. 14. Juli

    When Did Politics Get So Toxic?

    When did politics get so toxic? The investigation into the killing of Ann Widdecombe has taken another dramatic turn after counter-terrorism police confirmed they are treating it as politically motivated. The decision has intensified concerns about the safety of politicians and the increasingly hostile climate surrounding public life in Britain. Political commentator Charlie Rowley discusses whether political debate has become dangerously polarised, why attacks on public figures appear to be increasing, and what this means for democracy. Security expert Will Geddes examines the threat facing MPs and other high-profile figures, asking whether existing protection measures are still adequate in the wake of the latest developments. Isabel Oakeshott, Talk International Editor, reacts to reports that detectives now believe the attack was politically motivated, following claims the suspect possessed communist literature and after police faced criticism for initially saying there was no indication of a political motive. What do the latest revelations tell us about the investigation, and were the police too quick to rule out terrorism? Finally, Dr Paul Stott, Head of Security and Extremism at Policy Exchange, assesses what the case reveals about political extremism in Britain, how ideologically motivated violence is evolving, and whether the country is doing enough to identify and prevent radicalisation before it turns deadly. Ann Widdecombe, political violence, terrorism, counter-terrorism policing, extremism, public figures, political security and radicalisation. Has Britain’s political culture become dangerously toxic? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Join Ian Collins on Talk for a lively, no-nonsense look at the day’s biggest stories, from politics and current affairs to culture and entertainment. Ian dives deep with expert guests, outspoken commentators, and compelling callers, bringing fresh angles and sharp analysis to everything making headlines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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