Political Fix Financial Times

The chancellor Rachel Reeves is about to confront the British public with the size of the black hole in the country’s finances. A funding shortfall of about £20bn is likely to lead to tax rises at the Budget later this year. So — how to fix the problem? The FT’s political editor George Parker sits down with colleagues Stephen Bush and Robert Shrimsley to consider the government’s options. Plus, the FT’s infrastructure correspondent Gill Plimmer outlines the scale of the debacle that is the cancellation of the high-speed rail link between Birmingham and Manchester. 
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Rachel Reeves to pave way for UK Budget tax rises in ‘spending audit’
Expect a Tory leadership race mired in bitter and personal fights
Thames Water’s credit rating slashed to ‘junk’
Britons may need to be put off taking trains due to HS2 curtailment, watchdog says 
Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker, Stephen @stephenkb. Robert @robertshrimsley, Gill @gillplimmer1
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: 
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Presented by George Parker. Produced by Audrey Tinline.
The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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Sir Keir Starmer plans to hand more powers to metro mayors in what has been dubbed a ‘devolution revolution’. Host Lucy Fisher speaks with politics reporter Rafe Uddin, deputy political editor Jim Pickard and north of England correspondent Jen Williams about the merits of the proposal – as well as the potential backlash. Plus, the group discusses an internal dossier by Sue Gray that lists potential ‘bin fires’ in the new government’s in-tray, including the prisons capacity crisis, public sector pay disputes, cash-strapped universities and the possible collapse of Thames Water.
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The Labour government’s ‘inheritance’ retort will not work on everything
‘Eat your greens’ politics brings its own dangers
Conservative party plans to unveil next leader in November
Starmer pledges to ‘fire up’ the training of UK workers to boost growth
Why Labour’s pledge to fix the Tory mess means tax rises
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Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher, Jim @PickardJE, Rafe @rafeuddin_ and Jen @JenWillians_FT
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://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s global 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.

Sir Keir Starmer took the chance to extend the hand of friendship to Britain’s neighbours when he hosted the European Political Community summit in Blenheim Palace on Thursday. The FT’s Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker, columnist Stephen Bush and public policy editor Peter Foster to discuss how far Britain wants to deepen relations with the EU again. Plus, the team examine the King’s Speech — analysing what Starmer has prioritised and what he’s shelved for now. 
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Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher
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Keir Starmer opens door to processing asylum claims outside UK
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: 
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Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Philippa Goodrich with Leah Quinn and Persis Love. The executive producers were Topher Forhecz and Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix by Simon Panayi and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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Sir Keir Starmer spoke for the first time with Donald Trump in the wake of the assassination attempt on the former US president at the weekend. After years of criticising him, Labour ministers are trying to strengthen relations ahead of Trump’s possible return to the White House. But does the Republican candidate’s appointment of JD Vance as his running mate throw a spanner in the works? Lucy Fisher considers the question with FT colleagues Anna Gross, Jim Pickard and Miranda Green. The panel also examines the new strategic defence review, and discusses the demoted Labour MPs who are licking their wounds – and plotting revenge. 
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Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher
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China poses ‘deadly’ threat to UK, says former Nato boss
Can the Conservative party survive defeat? | FT Film
Ministers to examine complaints of harassment by UK election candidates
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://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Edwin Lane with Leah Quinn. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. 
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Keir Starmer’s quest for closer EU ties received a tacit nod from US President Joe Biden as the UK prime minister made his global debut at the Nato summit in Washington. Biden told Starmer that Britain was ‘the knot tying the transatlantic alliance together’. The FT’s George Parker, Robert Shrimsley and Stephen Bush sit down in London to discuss the government’s foreign policy agenda, with Lucy Fisher dialling in from Washington with her take. Plus, the FT’s William Wallis lays out the stark truth behind the UK’s prisons crisis, and what the government might be able to do about it. 
To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Lucy, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here. 
Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.
Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker, Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher, Robert on X @robertshrimsley, Stephen on X @stephenkb
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Joe Biden tells Keir Starmer UK is ‘knot tying transatlantic alliance together’
Labour to free prisoners early as Keir Starmer warns ‘simply not enough’ spaces
James Timpson: the key-cutter taking on England’s prisons crisis
UK economy grows at double forecast pace 
How will Rachel Reeves run the UK’s finances?
The very resistible rise of Nigel Farage
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://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Audrey Tinline with Leah Quinn. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and 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.

As Sir Keir Starmer appoints his cabinet and unveils his first raft of policies, host Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s deputy political editor Jim Pickard and columnist Stephen Bush to assess the new prime minister’s in-tray. Top of the list is planning reforms, but crisis looms in public services, from the NHS to prisons. Plus, Lucy and the panel discuss how the Conservative party will fare in opposition.
To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Lucy, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.
Follow Lucy on X @LOS_Fisher, Jim on @PickardJE and Stephen on @stephenkb
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Labour’s new blood: The class of ’24
Labour expected to launch ‘postmortem’ audit of NHS finances
Podcast host, Israel critic: Meet England’s new attorney-general
Conservative party chair Richard Holden quits after election defeat
Keir Starmer begins tour of UK nations to ‘reset’ relations
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://ft.com/insidepoliticsoffer
Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix and 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.