Bloomberg UK Politics

Labour leader Keir Starmer set out six 'first steps for change' in a speech in Essex today, kicking off his bid to lead the country. We get the details from Bloomberg's Associate Editor Ailbhe Rea. Plus, political marketing expert Benedict Pringle shares his thoughts on how the campaign is cutting through. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has rejected some of the key recommendation of a Treasury committee report into sexism and misogyny in the financial services industry. Our equality reporter Olivia Konotey-Ahulu brings us details of the government's response. It comes after MPs narrowly passed a bill which could see lawmakers arrested for violent or sexual assault banned from the parliamentary estate. We discuss what it means for attitudes towards issues of violence against women and broader equality with Sophia Moreau, deputy leader of the Women's Equality Party. Hosted by Tiwa Adebayo and Stephen Carroll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK government wants to tell a positive economic story about trade. The problem is Saudi Arabia, a country investing billions in Britain, has been given a "deplorable human rights record" by groups like Human Rights Watch. Our Saudi Arabia bureau chief Christine Burke explains how Riyadh has emerged as a global player, why five UK ministers are currently there with the largest business delegation in a decade, and what both nations are trying to achieve by their improving relations. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Lizzy Burden See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After suffering heavy losses in the local elections, the Prime Minister is attempting to reset his party's agenda with a speech focusing on national security and defence. Is Sunak right to warn the UK is facing some of the most dangerous years in its history? We discuss with Samir Puri, Associate Fellow at Chatham House. Hosted by Lizzy Burden and Stephen Carroll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Haldane says we all need to take more risk. The former Bank of England chief economist, semi-endorses Rachel Reeves's "Securonomics", but says government, individuals and businesses need to be bolder if we're to grow faster. NIESR are also looking to the future. Deputy Director Stephen Millard tells us the government cannot afford autumn tax cuts. But, he says, with more borrowing for investment, Britain can do better. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK's Supreme Court has just ruled on a case involving £37 million worth of silver salvaged from a shipwreck in the Indian Ocean. Argentum Exploration, which found the trove, had staked a legal claim to it, but the South African government successfully argued it was rightfully theirs, and shouldn't be subject to a court ruling in the UK. Bloomberg editor Olivia Solon briefs us on the decision. Plus, we get analysis from public international law expert Robert Volterra of law firm Volterra Fietta, and ask whether politicians now need to respond. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Data this week is likely to show the economy improving. But Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves says the Conservatives are 'gaslighting' Britain. Our Senior Economy Reporter Philip Aldrick was at her speech. We ask him if the numbers back up the shadow chancellor's claims, and whether an improved economy could save the Tories? Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early results from England's elections paint a gloomy picture for the Tories. We dissect the numbers and hear from polling guru John Curtice of Strathclyde University and government minister Andrew Griffith. Plus, UK government reporters Ailbhe Rea and Joe Mayes on what it all means for the upcoming general election and Rishi Sunak's job security. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As voters in England and Wales prepare to head to the polls tomorrow, we zoom in on the London mayoral race. We hear from the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green parties on their plans for the city, while Bloomberg's senior UK government reporter Alex Wickham brings us the details on Labour's campaign. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Stephen Carroll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Humza Yousaf declared his intention to step down, Ipsos Scotland's Managing Director Emily Gray discusses the frictions within the SNP, the party's polling and leadership options, and if the trouble at Bute House changes election campaigns run in Westminster. With Bloomberg anchors Caroline Hepker and Lizzy Burden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A diplomatic row has erupted between the UK and Ireland over migration policy, after Rishi Sunak said the increase in asylum seekers going from the UK to Ireland was a sign his Rwanda deportation deterrent was working. Our Dublin bureau chief Jennifer Duggan and senior UK government reporter Alex Wickham explain the background to the dispute, and the political forces at play. Hosted by Stephen Carroll. We'll bring you more on Scotland tomorrow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf is facing a vote of no confidence after ending a power sharing agreement with the Green Party. The challenge has seen opposition MSPs from the Scottish Labour and Conservative parties unite against him too. We ask former chief of staff to Nicola Sturgeon, Liz Lloyd if he can survive. Hosted by James Woolcock and Caroline Hepker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our analysis of data from Reed Recruitment shows employers are offering fewer flexible and hybrid-working positions, potentially making it harder to bring people back into the job market. Tackling what the government calls 'sick note culture' and reducing the benefits bill is a key priority for the PM. Bloomberg reporter Irina Anghel walks us through the numbers. Political Editor Kitty Donaldson weighs in on the politics of the debate. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister wants to spend more on defence, but do his numbers add up? We discuss the cost of Rishi Sunak's Warsaw pledge with Ben Zaranko from the Institute for Fiscal Studies. While the PM's away, it was the turn of Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Labour's Deputy Leader Angela Rayner to fill in at PMQs, which featured jibes about living arrangements, rental market reforms and a nod to next week's local elections. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Stephen Carroll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rishi Sunak's bill calling Rwanda a safe place to send migrants is set to become law after the House of Lords passed it last night. Bloomberg's Ailbhe Rea discusses what happens next, and what the policy might actually deliver after years of wrangling. Plus, checks on the EU food goods coming into Britain are set to be imposed next week. We ask Britain's Exports Minister Lord Malcolm Offord says he's not concerned, his focus is on 'light touch' regulation to boost trade. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thames Water now says it needs to spend nearly £20 billion by 2030 on fixing the water and sewage system, but the company appears to have little prospect of being able to raise the money. Our energy and environment reporter Jess Shankleman and distressed debt reporter Lucca de Paoli unpack the latest turn in the water firm's crisis. Plus, Bloomberg Opinion Columnist Matthew Brooker joins us to discuss the questions raised about Britain's relationship with privatization. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Caroline Hepker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having helped to repel Iran's attack on Israel last weekend, we discuss the UK's initial reaction to Israel's retaliation overnight with Bloomberg's EMEA News Director Rosalind Mathieson. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says no one wants escalation, but after six months of a war in Gaza, is the conflict destined to grow? Plus, can being cool rub off? We speak to Timothy Paul, one of social media influencers who interviewed Sunak recently about why he did it and the role of TikTok in an election year. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Lizzy Burden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UN data shows 3.2% of the global population are international migrants and in a year of global elections it's a hot political issue. Bloomberg's Senior Economy and Government Editor Alan Crawford joins us to talk through what's at stake. In the UK, much of the debate centres on the government's controversial Rwanda bill. We discuss the legislation with Jenny Jones, a Green party member of the House of Lords, and award-winning journalist Sally Hayden. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremy Hunt tells Bloomberg that interest rate cuts and an improved economic situation will help lift voters' moods ahead of a general election, adding to speculation about an autumn vote. We bring you our interview with the Chancellor, as well as the first Prime Minister's Questions after the Easter recess. Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer traded barbs over Liz Truss's book, and the Conservative party's tax-cutting plans. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Stephen Carroll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest UK Jobs data saw unemployment jump to a six month high. Bloomberg's economics reporter Irina Anghel joins us to talk through the figures. Plus, the government has announced legislation to criminalise the creation of deepfake images and videos as part of plans to tackle violence against women. We speak to Women and Equalities Select Committee Chair, Caroline Nokes MP and feminist campaigner Patsy Stevenson about the news. Hosted by James Woolcock and Caroline Hepker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.