Are tech companies turning apocalypse into profit?

In 2022, we were all having fun with a new chatbot called ChatGPT. Meanwhile, ministers and civil servants of the British government were imagining how it might go horribly wrong. 

Four years ago, AI experts were concerned about what people might do using their technology. Today, they fear what the technology is doing on its own, without being asked.

Tom McTague is joined by Will Dunn to discuss his cover story.

READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/business/2026/09/will-ai-kill-us-all

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reform UK received two £36 million donations from crypto billionaire Ben Delo. This has sent shockwaves through Westminster and thrown the question of political finance reform into sharp relief.

Labour is caught in an uncomfortable bind - appalled by the scale of Reform's fundraising, but reluctant to cap donations in a way that could threaten trade union funding and destabilise its own finances.

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fallout from Reform’s latest scandal, John Healey’s first major speech as Chancellor and Ukraine’s plan to tax porn stars.

Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn discuss the stories of the week.

Read: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/09/the-gospel-according-to-nigel-paul-farage

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has unveiled the biggest reset in UK relations with Israel for decades, and, in typical fashion, is putting his stamp on his new role.

Meanwhile, the scandal surrounding Reform and their finances continues, with the Met Police announcing they are launching a criminal investigation.

Pippa Bailey is joined by Ailbhe Rea, and guest Ben Judah, to discuss.

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour’s missing money metaphor, the millionaires still getting benefits and Dyson’s £420 toothbrush. 

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn to round up the stories of the week.

READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/bursting-the-bubble/2026/09/andy-burnham-cant-explain-the-economy

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/09/britain-must-stop-paying-benefits-to-millionaires 

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week was Andy Burnham’s first in the Commons as Prime Minister, facing his inaugural head to head with Kemi Badenoch at PMQs.

As for the Tories, they have undergone a major reshuffle.

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague.

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the UK faces hotter summers, wetter winters and more unpredictable weather, its historic buildings will need to adapt. But how can Britain make them more resilient without compromising the heritage that makes them worth protecting?

Host Sarah Dawood is joined by Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, and Tor Burrows, Chief Sustainability Officer at Grosvenor, to ask whether the current system is fit for a changing climate.

Their discussion explores the barriers to adapting and retrofitting older buildings, from complex planning processes to skills shortages. They also consider how historic buildings could contribute to housing, economic growth and the UK’s climate goals.

They discuss the case for a more coordinated approach across government, a “reuse first” policy and clearer rules for low-risk retrofit. The conversation also looks at what needs to change to keep historic buildings useful, comfortable and resilient for the future.

This New Statesman podcast episode has been fully funded by Grosvenor.

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The investigation into Nigel’s “Farage Fest” election party, Andy Burnham’s Ukrainian jam session and Pope Leo XIV making it onto Vanity Fair’s best dressed list.

Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up the stories of the week.

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s nearly a year since Zack Polanski took the reins of the Green party. 

In many ways the party has never been so successful – with five MPs, leading six local authorities and a leader who cuts through with the public. 

But now the Greens have to contend with a new – and relatively popular – Prime Minister, and internal factions within the party threaten to make life difficult for Polanski as he heads towards the summer conference.

How is the Green leader faring one year on?

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Megan Kenyon

Produced by Chris Stone

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the first big decisions of Andy Burnham’s premiership is looming: whether to drill for North Sea oil and gas. 

Labour made a manifesto promise not to grant new licences for oil and gas exploration, but the question of whether to go ahead and drill at the Rosebank and Jackdaw sites - offshore oil and gas fields that have pre-existing licences - remains.

After a summer of wildfires and heatwaves, but with our energy security and cost-of-living precarious, the new Prime Minister faces a political dilemma.

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political editor Ailbhe Rea.

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.