It’s crunch time for chancellor Rachel Reeves next Wednesday, when she will present her Spring Statement to parliament. Downgraded growth forecasts and deep spending cuts to unprotected departments loom. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by regulars Miranda Green, Jim Pickard, and the FT’s economics editor Sam Fleming to debate whether Labour is ushering in a new era of austerity. Plus, FT Brussels bureau chief Henry Foy joins the panel to discuss Europe’s mounting security crisis and how it’s affecting the UK’s reset with the EU.

Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher, Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social @PickardJE, Miranda Green @greenmirandahere.bsky.social, Henry Foy @HenryJFoy, @henryjfoy.ft.com, Sam Fleming @Sam1Fleming

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Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and mix 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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