Sophy Ridge on Sunday

As Home Secretary Suella Braverman faces criticism over claims she asked civil servants to help her avoid completing a driving awareness course alongside other motorists, the Prime Minister is under pressure to launch an investigation into accusations of impropriety in his government. On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, hear Sophy's interviews with Environment minister Thérèse Coffey, Conservative Mayor for the West Midlands, Andy Street. Plus, Sophy is joined by Sky's political correspondent Liz Bates and programme editor Scott Beasley to analyse those interviews.

The fallout from local election results, where the Conservatives lost more than 1,000 councillors and 49 councils, is hitting home for the Tories as Rishi Sunak faces criticism from his own party. Plus, Brexit is back. Energy Secretary Grant Shapps says Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wants to "re-open" the Brexit settlement while Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg tells Sophy Ridge that Brexit stopped the Ukraine invasion from succeeding. On the Sophy Ridge On Sunday podcast, hear Sophy's interviews with Jacob Rees-Mogg, Grant Shapps, as well as shadow business secretary Jordan Reynolds. Plus, Sophy's joined by Sky's political correspondent Liz Bates and programme editor Scott Beasley to unpick and analyse those interviews.

The Tories suffering a “hammering” in the local elections, losing more than 1,000 councillors and 49 councils. Sky News analysis also suggested Labour would become the largest party in Westminster in a general election - but short of an overall majority. And Saturday’s coronation has prompted questions over the police response to the anti-monarchy protests following arrests. On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, hear Sophy’s interviews with the Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting, the Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer and Lib Dem Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper. Joining Sophy on the podcast this week for analysis and discussion: Sky’s deputy political editor Sam Coates and James Heale, The Spectator’s political correspondent. Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer Paul Stanworth - editor

As campaigning ahead of this week’s local elections in England ramps up, so is the expectation management from both Labour and the Conservatives. Transport Secretary Mark Harper says his party expects to lose 1,000 seats on Thursday and Labour Leader Keir Starmer defends his party’s personal attacks on PM Rishi Sunak. Plus, are governments prepared for the impact of AI on our economy, artificial intelligence expert Stuart Russell says they aren’t. Political Editor at the Daily Express, Sam Lister joins Sophy Ridge to unpick all those interviews and look ahead to the week in Westminster. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Podcast Editor: Paul Stanworth

Days after former deputy prime minister Dominic Raab's resignation, Sophy Ridge talks to the new man in the job, Oliver Dowden. They discuss if he believes Dominic Raab is a bully, the upcoming local elections, and whether Tory scandals are distracting from court backlogs. Plus Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Lib Dems, tells Sophy about the party "gaining momentum" and his thoughts on the Raab bullying report. To discuss these interviews in-depth, Sophy is joined by The Guardian's deputy political editor Jessica Elgot, as well as programme editor Scott Beasley. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Philly Beaumont

Chairman of the Conservative Party Greg Hands admitted the party could lose 1,000 seats at the forthcoming local elections on May 4. Speaking to presenter Trevor Phillips on Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Hands said that the party was “fighting really hard”. Plus, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting defended his party’s recent controversial advertising campaign, saying “the figures speak for themselves”. The Daily Mirror’s political editor John Stevens and programme editor Scott Beasley join Trevor to analyse this week’s interviews. Podcast producers: Rosie Gillott and Soila Apparicio Podcast Editor: Paul Stanworth

It's been a busy few weeks for the Home Secretary Suella Braverman. There's been the damning report into London's Metropolitan Police, questions over the Government's plans to reduce crossings in the Channel, and just as schools begin to break-up for the Easter holidays, back-to-back queues are affecting the Port of Dover. The Home Secretary speaks to Sophy about all these issues, plus her plans to introduce a new legal duty for people working with children to report "signs or suspicions" of sexual abuse. For Labour, shadow housing and communities secretary Lisa Nandy tells Sophy why she believes the Government hasn't properly prepared for a post-Brexit Britain. Plus, the employment minister and Conservative MP for Hexham, Guy Opperman, tells the programme why he wants better maternity care, and support for parents who experience child loss. For a midweek political hit, why not try subscribing to the Beth Rigby Interviews... podcast? Programme Producer: Lucy Bishop Programme Editor: Scott Beasley Podcast producer: David Chipakupaku Podcast Editor: Paul Stanworth

On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, Sophy speaks to levelling up secretary Michael Gove about measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, banning nitrous oxide - widely known as laughing gas - and an undercover sting by anti-Brexit campaign group Led by Donkeys, targeting MPs including former Tory ministers Matt Hancock and Kwasi Kwarteng. Plus, Sophy interviews Labour’s shadow culture secretary, Lucy Powell. And there’s analysis with Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates.

After the government said it was working on starting its deportation flights to Rwanda by the summer, Sophy Ridge speaks to Oliver Dowden, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, about ministers' plans to reduce small boat crossings to the UK and asks him if his party is avoiding scrutiny on the policy. Sophy also speaks to Miguel Berger, the German ambassador, about the UK's improved relationship with the EU under Rishi Sunak. She is joined by Sam Lister, the Daily Express's political editor, to dissect the interviews and look ahead to Boris Johnson's appearance before MPs on the Privileges Committee over accusations he deliberately misled Parliament about partygate this week. Programme Producer: Scott Beasley Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Paul Stanworth

Despite a big week in politics looming, the row over Gary Lineker’s controversial tweet and subsequently stepping back from presenting Match of the Day is dominating headlines this weekend. But that’s not all that’s happening. Just days ahead of the Spring Budget Sophy Ridge speaks to the Chancellor of Exchequer Jeremy Hunt as well as Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves. They talk about their own party spending techniques as well as their opposing views on the Lineker row. Plus, ahead of the Sky News Scottish Leadership Debate – Sophy asks candidate Ash Regan some quick-fire questions. On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, Sophy is joined by political correspondent Liz Bates to analyse all the interviews. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Philly Beaumont

New small boat crossings legislation will be “very black and white”, the Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said. Speaking to podcast host Sophy Ridge, he said the new laws will mean that people who come to the UK illegally will be banned from claiming asylum. We also hear from former Chief of the General Staff Lord Dannatt, who said sending weaponry to Ukraine “almost certainly” depletes the UK's defence capability but that it's important to support the country in its war with Russia. Our political correspondent Liz Bates and programme editor Scott Beasley join Sophy to analyse this week’s interviews. Podcast Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab reckons the government is on the 'cusp' of an agreement to change the Northern Ireland protocol - the agreement, negotiated during Brexit talks, which allows goods to move across the border between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland without needing checks. On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, we also hear the thoughts of Mark Francois, who chairs the European Research Group (ERG) of Conservative Eurosceptic MPs. Also, we hear from Mr Raab on the bullying claims made against him, tougher rules for transgender prisoners and the courts backlog in England and Wales. Plus, Sophy interviews former US presidential candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders. On the podcast joining Sophy with analysis of this week’s interviews is senior associate editor at the New Statesman, Rachel Cunliffe, and programme producer, Scott Beasley. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Paul Stanworth - editor

But, just as Westminster had thought Boris Johnson was out of the picture, sources tell Sky News he thinks it would be a "great mistake drop the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill", controversial legislation which allows UK ministers to rip up parts of the protocol and ignore EU rules. On this episode, Trevor Phillips is joined by The Scotsman's Westminster correspondent Alexander Brown to analyse interviews with Leader of House Penny Mordaunt and Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Plus, former Northern Ireland Secretary under Tony Blair, Lord Peter Mandelson, and the leader of Northern Ireland's Alliance Party, Naomi Long. Podcast producer - David Chipakupaku Editor - Paul Stanworth

As the death toll from the earthquake in Syria and Turkey continues to rise, Development Minister Andrew Mitchell defends the governments cuts to the international aid budget as Conservative MP John Redwood calls for tax cuts at home. Plus, SNP MP John Nicolson and member of the DCMS select committee says Richard Sharp’s position is no longer tenable after a report critical of the BBC chairman’s connections to former prime minister Boris Johnson is published. On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, Sophy is joined by political correspondent Liz Bates to analyse the interviews. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Paul Stanworth

Liz Truss has broken her silence after resigning, becoming the shortest serving prime minister in UK history. In a 4,000 word essay, the former PM defended her controversial economic policies and said she didn't get a "realistic chance". On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, Sophy is joined by Camilla Turner, chief political correspondent at The Telegraph who broke the story, and producer Scott Beasley. They react to the prime minister's comments, as well as unpack the reaction from today's guests. Plus Sophy, Camilla and Scott discuss the dangers of TikTok, after Foreign Affairs Committee chair Alicia Kearns warns Sophy to delete the social media app. Show Editor: Scott Beasley Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Podcast Editor: Philly Beaumont

Nadhim Zahawi has been sacked as Tory party chairman after an ethics inquiry into the handling of his tax affairs found a "serious breach" of the ministerial code. On the podcast, Sophy is joined by Rachel Cunliffe, senior associate editor of the New Statesman, and producer Scott Beasley to react to the news. Programme Editor: Scott Beasley Podcast Producer: Soila Apparicio Podcast Editor: Paul Stanworth

The foreign secretary, James Cleverly, avoids answering questions on the latest 'sleaze' allegations to hit the Conservative Party – from Boris Johnson’s £800,000 loan to Party chair and former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi’s tax affairs. Plus, General Secretary of Unite the Union, Sharon Graham accuses the government of lying about negotiating to end strikes. Sophy is joined by The Daily Mirror’s political editor, John Stevens and show editor Scott Beasley to discuss both explosive interviews. Show Editor: Scott Beasley Podcast Producer: Rosie Gillott Podcast Editor: Philly Beaumont

As further strikes take place across the country this week, the Royal College of Nursing has threatened its biggest walkout in England next month unless talks with the government progress soon. At the same time, Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer has warned the NHS will “die” without drastic change. But it’s not just industrial action in the health service the government is up against; teachers plan to walk out in February too and rows across the transport network are among those ongoing. Is there a way forward to end strikes across different areas of the public sector? And do unions think Labour have a better plan for the health service? On this edition of the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, interviews with transport secretary Mark Harper, Labour’s shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle and chair of the British Medical Association, Dr Philip Banfield – plus, analysis with Sky’s political correspondent Liz Bates and show editor Scott Beasley. Also, Sophy interviews Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko after a deadly missile attack in Dnipro, a city in central Ukraine. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Dave Terris - editor

How much does your MP earn, on top of their salary, and where does the money come from? For years, many stories have come out of Westminster that have seen MPs wrestling with money - the expenses scandal, cash for questions, the Owen Paterson saga - and time after time, politicians have promised to make changes. But a Sky News investigation with Tortoise Media has pulled together the details of the money that is still flowing around politics, with MPs making £17.1m on top of their salaries in this parliament (i.e. since 2019). Around two-thirds of that money has gone to just 20 MPs. On this edition of the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, our deputy political editor Sam Coates joins Sophy and show editor Scott Beasley to talk through the Westminster Accounts project, and why it matters. Elsewhere, with Labour continuing to hold a lead in the polls, the party's leader Sir Keir Starmer sits down with Sophy for his first big interview of 2023, outlining his plans for the country, should he win the next election. Plus, both he and Health Minister, Maria Caulfield, give their first responses to the Westminster Accounts project. You can search The Westminster Accounts for your MP by clicking here. Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth

“More people will die” this winter due to strikes, Dr Emma Runswick, the deputy chair of the British Medical Association council, has warned. James Cleverly, the foreign secretary, says the health secretary’s door is open for talks but repeatedly told the Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme that negotiation on pay was down to independent pay review bodies. Meanwhile, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting says he's willing to engage with unions but isn't prepared to "just accept lower standards for patients". On the podcast today, Jayne Secker - in for Sophy this week - is joined by Scott Beasley, the show’s producer, and Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, political correspondent for the Financial Times. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Dave Terris – editor