The State of It

3.9 (81)
Politics
Weekly

What’s really being said inside the corridors of power. Join Steven Swinford, Patrick Maguire, Ben Riley-Smith and Lara Spirit for exclusive interviews, political scoops and the best analysis from Westminster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1d ago · Video

" Run away, turn away, run away, turn away" - Healey's Bronski Beat budget

John Healey’s first Budget is being dubbed the “Bronski Beat Budget”: a Chancellor running away from the big decisions on welfare and defence. With growth downgraded, energy bills set to soar and taxes at record highs, how much room for manoeuvre does he really have? And is this Burnham’s economy now, with the Chancellor merely keeping the engine running until the Prime Minister’s 10-year plan arrives? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Pictures: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2d ago · Video

Brexit, oil and immigration: Labour's three rows

Arguing in the Labour party is ramping up. Andy Burnham has further fuelled the Brexit wars, floating a return to free movement and even EU membership, even though he claimed there was “nothing socialist” about free movement a decade ago. Is this political manoeuvring, or does Burnham himself know where he wants to end up? Meanwhile, Labour’s cabinet is split over North Sea drilling and immigration, with ministers publicly contradicting one another. Is Burnham a sort of Scouse Boris, coasting on charisma alone? And then there’s Wednesday's Budget. A fuel duty freeze, help with energy bills and a possible bank tax are all in the mix — but with the public finances under pressure, could John Healey have a rabbit up his sleeve? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Pictures: Getty Images 00:00 - The Free Movement Bombshell 00:33 - The Scoop: How Andy Burnham Reopened the Brexit Debate 01:22 - Did Burnham Cross His Own Red Lines? 03:41 - Testing the Waters: Tactical Leak or Honest Mistake? 05:46 - A Scouse Boris? Burnham’s High-Risk Politics 07:44 - European Summit Secrets & Whitehall Panic 09:20 - Cabinet Mutiny: The Ministers Pushing Back 12:10 - Rejoining vs Growth: The Threat to British AI & Industry 13:30 - Burnham vs His Past Self: The 2016 Anti-EU Speech 15:48 - Cabinet Split Round 2: The Rosebank Oil War 18:24 - Resignation Watch: Will Ed Miliband Walk? 21:17 - The Brutal Pile-On Against Shabana Mahmood 23:26 - Leaked Budget: OBR Warns of Record-Breaking Taxes 25:04 - Cost of Living: Fuel Duty, Energy Hikes & "Puffin" Borrowing 26:55 - John Healey's Warning: "An Economic Storm Is Coming" 29:40 - The Global Crisis: Why the Government Can’t Save Your Wallet 31:25 - Final Predictions & Tomorrow's Budget Special This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
6d ago · Video

You can't vibe-code your way to growth

Former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane, a close ally of Andy Burnham, has sounded the alarm over the upcoming budget, warning the Prime Minister can’t “vibe-code his way to growth”. Patrick joins John Healey on the road, getting a glimpse of the Chancellor’s pro-business pitch — and the bottle of HP Sauce he keeps in his briefcase. Ben takes us inside the budget, unpacking four key areas: help with business costs, support for households facing rising energy bills, a fuel duty freeze and a package to tackle youth unemployment. Can Healey’s budget deliver meaningful change, or is the big stuff still being kicked down the road? Ben reflects on his time with Andy Burnham, exploring the mayor’s ambitions, political instincts and frustration with Westminster — and what his first 100 days reveal about his wider national project. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Pictures: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 20 · Video

Andy Burnham's welfare plan: spend first, cut later

Andy Burnham's welfare reforms are likely to start with more, not less, spending. In his review into Neets, young people not in education, employment or training, Alan Milburn will propose restricting access to universal credit for 16 to 24-year-olds, and spending money instead on employment support. The prime minister will tell MPs the government needs to spend first, cut later to bring about meaningful welfare reform. That may please Labour MPs but will the bond markets keep the faith? Meanwhile, the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is facing opposition within Labour over plans to double the wait for indefinite leave to remain from five to 10 years. Will Burnham back her reforms, or carve out an exception for migrant care workers? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Pictures: Getty Images This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 19 · Video

AI rows and pre-budget jitters – The State of It Live

In this live recording of The State of It, Patrick and Steve assess the state of play ahead of budget day. John Healey is preparing a steady-as-she-goes budget, but with the big decisions on welfare, defence and tax rises pushed into next year, is Labour ducking the difficult choices? Meanwhile, AI evangelists want Britain to seize the opportunities, while Ed Miliband is pushing back on environmental grounds. Cue an almighty cabinet row. Reform UK’s poll lead has narrowed as Restore eats into its support. But is Westminster writing off Nigel Farage too soon? Reform remains the most trusted party on immigration and is sharpening its economic pitch to working-class voters. Finally, Andy Burnham faces one of Labour’s biggest challenges: reforming the welfare system. Recorded in Westminster as part of The Battle of Ideas festival. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images 00:00 - "The bond vigilantes are ready to split our throats" 00:09 - Inside Healey’s budget: Bank taxes & disappearing headroom 02:04 - "He’s a dud": Cabinet backbiting over the Chancellor 04:34 - The budget trap: Delaying big tax rises until next year 07:02 - Courting the squeezed middle: Business rates vs Reform UK 08:53 - Shock YouGov polling: Only 3% expect to be better off 11:24 - Is Reform UK finished, or are the pundits wrong? 15:45 - The bizarre reason Number 10 secretly wants a Tory comeback 18:12 - Cabinet AI civil war: Silicon Valley vs British jobs 22:30 - The UK grid crisis: Can we even power AI data centres? 24:51 - The Milburn Review: Plans to ban benefits for under-25s 29:19 - Broken PIP system: Backdated lump sums and 18-year assessment delays 32:15 - Can Labour ever shake the "welfare party" label? This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 13 · Video

Burnham brings back Brexit wars: what’s the strategy?

Andy Burnham has pulled the lever marked ‘Brexit’, threatening to reignite the wars of yesteryear. The soft left are delighted, but there’s unease in his cabinet. Is this a route back to a referendum, or just a meagre SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) deal? Or is Burnham already firing the opening shots of his election campaign — at the expense of the leave-voting areas he promised to win over? Has he already failed the Makerfield test? It’s budget season, and speculation is mounting over what’s inside John Healey’s red box. This is billed as a budget for the high street: for the white van man and the beauticians of Rotherham, funded by a crackdown on online retail giants. But with John Lewis sounding the alarm, how far will the chancellor go? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images 00:00 - The Brexit Wars Return 02:51 - Why Andy Burnham Wants Closer EU Ties 05:25 - Nigel Farage Delighted & Secret Cabinet Rifts 08:04 - The Real Cost: Free Movement & Single Market Traps 10:50 - Is Labour Priming The Polls For An Early Election? 13:46 - Has Burnham Abandoned The 'Makerfield Test'? 17:46 - The Russia Claim: Anatomy Of A 24-Hour U-Turn 20:06 - "Authenticity" Or Chaos? Burnham's Loose Talk 22:25 - The Budget: John Healey Targets 'White Van Man' 26:11 - High Street vs Online Giants: Retailers Strike Back 28:56 - Historic Tax Hikes: Distracting From The Pain This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 9 · Video

Zack Polanski on the brink

Zack Polanski's defeat in the Holborn & St Pancras by-election puts him in a tough position. The Green leader lost the by-election by 3,300 votes to Sagal Abdi-Wali, the Labour candidate. He's also facing criticism after the Green Party voted to declare that Zionism is racism. Polanski did not vote and has been accused of failing to show leadership. How tenable is his position now? Plus, parliament is back next week and the real business of government gets going. We look at what's in store and how the chancellor, John Healey, is preparing for a very, very difficult budget. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producer: Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images 00:00 - By-Election Result: Labour Wins Holborn & St Pancras 00:36 - Is Zack Polanski’s Leadership in Trouble? 01:56 - Green Party Rifts & The Palestine Motion Controversy 07:34 - Is This the Beginning of the End for Polanski? 11:06 - Andy Burnham’s Electoral Boost & Labour’s Position 11:44 - Parliament Returns: Navigating the Autumn Budget 13:18 - John Healey, Treasury Trips, and Bank of England Warnings 16:39 - Defence Spending vs Public Services Dilemma 20:39 - Welfare Reviews, Jackdaw Gas Field & Election Speculation This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 7 · Video

Kemi Badenoch bets the house on the economy

Kemi Badenoch's attack on Reform UK was all about character and her attack on Labour was all about economics. In her speech at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, she said she would to scrap inheritance tax on family homes and that under a Conservative government, couples would be able to leave an extra £1m inheritance tax free to their children. Badenoch was withering about Nigel Farage and Reform UK, saying: "The circus goes on and on and it will never stop because this is who Reform are — so to those who say ‘unite the right’, we are not uniting with that.” We look at the Conservatives' electoral strategy, their prospects — especially compared with a year ago — and the vibes among their MPs. Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images 00:00 - Live from Tory Conference: Badenoch’s Speech Analysis 00:41 - The Inheritance Tax Gamble: Family Homes Exempt 02:01 - Strategic Shift: Winning Back the South & Abandoning the Red Wall 05:14 - Why Immigration Was Dropped From the Main Message 06:33 - "We Will Not Unite": Direct Rejection of Reform UK & Farage 08:03 - Character vs. Policy: The New Strategy Against Reform 10:45 - Key Omissions: Public Services and the NHS 13:17 - Football Legends, Identity, and Patriotism 17:36 - Vibe Check: A Surprisingly United Tory Party 20:19 - Badenoch’s Dominance: "Captain, Manager, and Owner" 22:13 - Path to Power: Rebuilding Economic Trust 25:08 - Behind the Scenes: Bars, Protesters, and Business Access 29:34 - Did Badenoch’s Speech Set the Political Weather? 32:50 - Looking Ahead to the Budget This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Trailer

Introducing...The State of It

Real reporting from the coalface of British politics. Join The Times and The Sunday Times’s political heavyweights Steven Swinford, Caroline Wheeler, Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund as they give you the latest tea room tip offs, reveal insider conversations and bring analysis, authority and insight. No party loyalty. No spin. Not hosted by some old politicians. Taking you into the real business of politics, as only those who live it can. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Trial of Russell Brand is season 14 of Times Investigates, bringing you award-winning investigative and true crime podcasts from The Times & The Sunday Times. From war zones to suburban homes, pursuing brutal criminals and cult leaders, our podcasts go further than any other to uncover the truth. In season one, war correspondent Anthony Loyd investigates the fate of his colleague John Cantlie, who was kidnapped in Syria by Islamic State. In season two, crime correspondent John Simpson breaks down the wall of silence surrounding the killing of 14-year-old Corey Junior Davis In season three Berlin correspondent Oliver Moody uncovers the story of Hans Globke, the Nazi bureaucrat who laid the legal basis for the Holocaust - and helped build the modern German state In season four, columnist David Aaronovitch follows the trail of charm and deception left by businessman Lex Greensill through the corridors of power in Britain In season five, special correspondent Emily Dugan asks whether the wrong man was sent to prison for a brutal attack on a mother of two In season six, Middle East correspondent Louise Callaghan steps into the weird world of ‘kittens’, ‘lions’, and televangelism surrounding a cult leader In season seven, journalists Brenna Daldorph and David Aaronovitch explore the dark past behind some of Britain’s wealthiest stately homes In season eight, feature writer Andrew Billen exposes a very British scandal at the world-famous university college, Christ Church, Oxford In season nine, David Aaranovitch steps into the online world of Patriotic Alternative, a far-right group using the Covid pandemic as a recruiting tool In season ten, journalists Peter Gillman and Emanuele Midolo investigate the death of one of our own, David Holden, the reporter whose killing became a Cold War whodunnit In season 11, social affairs editor James Beal follows a trail leading from a quiet British town to frozen Canada, where he discovers a man allegedly selling death online In season 12, reporter Mario Ledwith returns to his hometown in Northern Ireland, seeking answers about the bloody 1987 Remembrance Sunday attack In season 13, The Sunday Times’s Insight team investigates how Nigel Farage came to depend upon a crypto enthusiast, gambler and convicted fraudster In season 14, journalists Rosamund Urwin and Charlotte Wace join Luke Jones to report daily from the trial of Russell Brand Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Two friends, too many opinions. Enjoy an unfiltered look at the ups and downs of life with Jane Garvey and Fi Glover - the kind of conversations that only happen Off Air. If you want to ask a question or get involved in the conversation, please email us: janeandfi@times.radio Follow our antics away from the mic on Instagram: @janeandfi Or join us on Times Radio every Monday to Thursday afternoon between 2pm and 4pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Caroline Wheeler

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Gabriel Pogrund

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Patrick Maguire

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Steven Swinford

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Ben Riley-Smith

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John Healey

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3.9

out of 5

81 Ratings

The best, now it’s gone!

08/29/2025

Timtimtimtim1587

I was so disappointed to hear that this podcast is ending because it’s literally my first listen every day. I’m still following to see what comes at the end of September 2025. Thank you for all the great episodes!
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04/19/2025

Che Block

Let’s remember as Russia was about to go down Mike Johnson for the boss stopped support Hey podcasters don’t forget this and while we’re talking don’t forget the immigration bill
Israel attack of Gaza (18.03.25)

03/19/2025

Nancy from Texas

Your reporting clarified the anti-Israel and anti semitic rhetoric in the UK. Thank you for the enlightened reporting. And may God bless the UK.
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11/23/2024

AintWhatIUsedToBe

I find this very interesting: it’s a European view into the interpretation of global security issues from European (British) perspective. Generally centrist, nonetheless, how allies view global issues.

What’s really being said inside the corridors of power. Join Steven Swinford, Patrick Maguire, Ben Riley-Smith and Lara Spirit for exclusive interviews, political scoops and the best analysis from Westminster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.