Cheat Sheet with Ridge & Frost

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

The government could use the army to help ease the disruptions caused by possible public sector strikes, Conservative Party Chairman Nadhim Zahawi told Sky’s Sophy Ridge.

Sophy is joined by Sebastian Payne, Whitehall Editor at the Financial Times, to analyse Zahawi’s comments.

Also, Sophy and Sebastian discuss German ambassador to the UK Miguel Berger’s suggestion that Germany does not see a fundamental change in the Russian position amid the war in Ukraine.

Podcast producer: Soila Apparicio
Editor: Paul Stanworth

Sophy Ridge with some of the week's biggest political interviews – plus, analysis of what her guests have had to say.

This week she interviews Transport Secretary Mark Harper who is quizzed on strikes – who says inflation matching pay-rises for public sector workers are unaffordable.

Shadow housing secretary Lisa Nandy also talks strikes – as well as hitting out at the government’s "back of a fag packet" immigration policies.

Plus former FA chairman, Greg Dyke, gives his take on the Qatar World Cup controversy.

Joining Sophy to unpack all of this is Sky’s political correspondent Liz Bates – and they start by discussing Matt Hancock reaching the final of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Sophy Ridge with some of the week's biggest political interviews – plus, analysis of what her guests have had to say.

Sophy speaks to Health Secretary Steve Barclay about the planned strike by nurses and winter pressures on the NHS. Mr Barclay says demands from the Royal College of Nursing for an above-inflation pay rise are "unreasonable".

Shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth calls for more talks about the strike.

Plus, social housing activist Kwajo Tweneboa joins Sophy to discuss the story of Awaab Ishak – the two-year old boy who died from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to mould in his family's flat.

To discuss those interviews for the podcast, Sophy is joined by Daily Mirror political editor John Stevens and programme producer Scott Beasley.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt promises "we’re all going to be paying a bit more tax" ahead of his autumn statement but promises his budget statement "won’t just be bad news".

On this episode Sophy is joined by the Daily Telegraph's associate editor Christopher Hope to examine her interview with Mr Hunt as well as former minister and Liz Truss-backer Simon Clarke, who urged the government to focus on spending cuts rather than tax rises.

Producer: Scott Beasley
Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott
Editor: Philly Beaumont