Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Talk
  • 4.8 (20)
  • News Commentary
  • Weekly

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. 20h ago

    Is Britain Facing a Lost Decade for Living Standards?

    Britain is being warned to prepare for a decade of economic pain. The Institute for Fiscal Studies says the 2020s are on course to be the worst decade for household income growth on record, while the Resolution Foundation forecasts typical non-pensioner households will be £1,050 worse off by 2029. Lindsay Judge, Research Director at the Resolution Foundation, joins us to break down the figures, the impact of John Healey’s Autumn Budget and what it means for families already struggling with the cost of living. Former Conservative adviser Leon Emirali gives his verdict on the Government’s economic strategy. With higher borrowing costs, pressure on public services and household incomes under strain, are Labour’s plans enough to turn the economy around? And can Andy Burnham reduce the ballooning welfare bill after saying ministers want to bring it down as quickly as possible, without resorting to what he calls crude cuts? And is the online manosphere becoming a public health threat? Maeve Halligan, founding president of the Cambridge University Society of Women, joins us following calls for misogynistic influencers and harmful online content to be treated in a similar way to the tobacco industry. Where should the line be drawn between protecting women and girls, and freedom of speech? Living standards, cost of living, Autumn Budget 2026, John Healey, Institute for Fiscal Studies, Resolution Foundation, Lindsay Judge, Leon Emirali, Andy Burnham, welfare spending, benefits, Labour government, manosphere, misogyny, online influencers, social media, women’s safety, freedom of speech. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. 2d ago

    John Healey’s Autumn Budget: Is It Enough to Fix Britain?

    Chancellor John Healey has delivered his first Autumn Budget under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, promising to ease the cost of living, support British businesses and strengthen national security. But with rising energy costs, pressure on public finances and difficult choices over taxation and spending, does this Budget offer real solutions or simply temporary relief? Talk presenter Peter Cardwell joins us to break down the biggest announcements, who stands to benefit, who could lose out and what the measures mean for working families, businesses and the wider economy. Defence is another major test for the Chancellor. Healey has pledged to fully fund the Defence Investment Plan, including by reprioritising spending across Whitehall, but the route to meeting NATO’s defence spending targets will not be set out until next year’s spending review. Retired Major General Julian Free MBE, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of the Defence portfolio at the University of Lincoln, joins us to examine whether Britain is investing enough in its armed forces and what the decisions mean for national security. Fuel duty is also in the spotlight. The government has extended the temporary 5p-a-litre fuel duty cut and freeze until July 2027. Howard Cox, founder of FairFuel UK, says motorists need more than a freeze and is calling for further action on fuel taxes and pump prices. Is the Chancellor doing enough for drivers, hauliers and small businesses? And former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell gives his verdict on the Budget from the Labour left. He has welcomed some cost-of-living support but warned that the measures offer only limited relief, arguing that the government must go further on investment, low pay, poverty and public services. Can Healey deliver lasting economic change, or will households be left waiting for more? John Healey Budget, Autumn Budget 2026, Andy Burnham, cost of living, taxation, public spending, defence spending, NATO, British Armed Forces, Julian Free, fuel duty, petrol prices, Howard Cox, FairFuel UK, John McDonnell, Labour government, British economy, national security. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Oct 23

    Keep Calm and Pack a Survival Kit

    Charlie Rowley sits in for Ian Collins. Is Britain ready for a crisis? Ted Jeffery, co-founder of Defence On The Brink, discusses emergency survival kits and threats to undersea cables. Then Baroness Claire Fox examines white working-class children’s prospects and the Commonwealth chief's call for a royal apology over slavery. Plus, Charlie Rae, former royal editor of The Sun, discusses reports that Thomas Markle Sr. is being investigated over a vast stash of child sex images after being reported to police by his own son. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Oct 22

    L'anarchie in the UK?

    Charlie Rowley sits in for Ian Collins. The Green Party has urged people “inspired by the protests in France” to join a march against austerity in London next Tuesday. This comes as police warn that the UK’s response to French-style riots would be too slow. Journalist Linda Duberley joins Charlie to explore whether we at risk of descending into the same violence and looting that has wreaked havoc across Europe in recent weeks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Oct 21

    The Ghost of Brexit Past

    Charlie Rowley sits in for Ian Collins, joined by Leave.EU co-founder Arron Banks to discuss Nigel Farage’s bid to reunite Brexit backers against Andy Burnham’s push for closer European ties. Former Labour official Richard Power Sayeed and Conservative MP Douglas Lumsden then debate Labour’s approval of new North Sea drilling amid soaring gas prices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Oct 20

    Labour Civil War? Energy Secretary Attacks Mahmood’s Immigration Plans

    Ian Collins is joined by Fred de Fossard, Director of Strategy at the Prosperity Institute, and barrister Dr S Chelvan to discuss the Energy Secretary's warning that Mahmood's immigration crackdown would threaten community cohesion. Then, the Daily Mail’s Defence and Diplomacy Editor Mark Nicol examines the row over the Troubles legacy bill, as well as warnings that relentless investigations and ‘lawfare’ could put the SAS’s future at risk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Oct 16

    Can Farage Survive Reform’s Candidate Vetting Scandal?

    Nigel Farage is facing fresh questions over Reform UK’s candidate vetting after reports emerged of candidates making racist and sexist jokes and calling for the execution of the King. Political commentators Ellie Hodges and Benedict Spence join us to examine the allegations, how Reform selects its candidates and what the controversy means for Farage’s efforts to present the party as a credible alternative to the Conservatives. Meanwhile, could Andy Burnham be heading for an early general election? A new mega-poll suggests Labour could win a 56-seat Commons majority, with Reform trailing the Conservatives. Sammy McDonald, Political Assistant at More in Common, joins us to discuss what the polling reveals about the political landscape and whether Labour’s position is changing. We also examine Kemi Badenoch’s rising ratings among Reform voters after her intervention in the row over whether only white people can be English. Is her approach cutting through with voters, and what does the debate reveal about national identity, patriotism and the battle for support on the right? Nigel Farage, Reform UK, candidate vetting, racist jokes, sexist comments, King Charles, Ellie Hodges, Benedict Spence, Andy Burnham, early election, Labour polling, More in Common, Sammy McDonald, Kemi Badenoch, Reform voters, English identity, British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Oct 14

    Why Aren’t Brits Getting British Jobs?

    Four out of five new jobs created over the past decade reportedly went to foreign nationals, according to a new report. Ben Habib, Chairman of Great British PAC, joins us to examine why British workers account for such a small share of new payroll jobs, whether employers have become too reliant on overseas recruitment and what needs to change to put British workers first. MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum has warned that Britain faces growing threats from Russia, Iran and the misuse of artificial intelligence. David Patrikarakos, Special Correspondent at the Daily Mail, joins us to discuss the changing national security landscape, alongside warnings that some extreme right-wing individuals are increasingly moving from anti-immigration and anti-Muslim grievances towards terrorist intent. And Andrew Rosindell MP, Reform UK representative for Romford, joins us to discuss the row over Nigel Farage’s offer to Donald Trump involving the Chagos Islands and the Falkland Islands, after Kemi Badenoch branded the proposal humiliating. What would such an offer mean for Britain’s overseas territories and its relationship with the United States? British jobs, migrant workers, immigration, employment, wages, Ben Habib, MI5, Russia, Iran, artificial intelligence, national security, terrorism, Reform UK, Nigel Farage, Kemi Badenoch, Chagos Islands, Falkland Islands, Donald Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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4.8
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

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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