The government's borrowing costs have shot up this week as long-simmering worries over the UK economy appears to have hit a nerve with investors. In a special extended edition of the podcast, we explain why and what the Chancellor can do about it, with our Managing Editor for Foreign Exchange and Rates Rachel Evans, UK government Reporter Joe Mayes, and Bloomberg's Chief UK Economist Dan Hanson. Hosted by Lizzy Burden and Stephen Carroll.

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The chair of the Business and Trade Committee, Liam Byrne, told fast-fashion giant Shein he has 'almost zero confidence' in the integrity of their supply chain, amid allegations that it uses cotton tied to forced labour in China. The company denies the claims, but is facing extra scrutiny ahead of a potential stock market listing in London. Our retail reporter Jennifer Creery joins us to discuss. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts.

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Britain is spending and borrowing more yet barely growing. Now the cost of borrowing has reached levels not seen since the 1990s. Bloomberg Opinion Columnist Marcus Ashworth and politics and economics correspondent Lucy White explain why UK gilt yields have gone up and why it's putting pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the government's plans. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Lizzy Burden

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The Prime Minister has given his strongest response yet to Elon Musk's barrage of social media criticism, saying "a line has been crossed" with comments about safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. The world's richest man also apparently had a change of heart about Nigel Farage, who he says is no longer fit to lead Reform UK. Bloomberg's UK Political Editor Alex Wickham joins us to discuss. Hosted by Lizzy Burden and Stephen Carroll

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The government's decision not to compensate women who say they were unfairly treated over changes to the pension age has sparked a backlash from opposition politicians and some backbench Labour MPs. Is the decision over the WASPI campaign the latest example of the government alienating a core constituency of voters? Our Associate Editor Ailbhe Rea joins us to discuss. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and James Woolcock.

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2024 saw major political moments, including the first Labour government in 14 years, a Conservative meltdown and an electoral breakthrough for Nigel Farage's Reform UK. Bloomberg's UK Political editor Alex Wickham joins us to review the year and look ahead to 2025. Hosted by James Woolcock and Stephen Carroll.

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A supposed spying scandal is threatening to undermine an attempt to reset ties between the UK and China, but does Britain have any levers to pull in the relationship? Conservative MP, and former party leader, Iain Duncan Smith, joins us to discuss why he sees Beijing's spying as being 'on a scale beyond all comprehension' compared to other countries, and what practical steps he thinks the Labour government should be taking. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts.

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There are almost 3,500 children's homes in England, and it's overwhelmingly the private sector providing services to the most vulnerable. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has called out private providers for making "excessive profits". How do promises of a crackdown sit with Labour's pledge to attract more private investment to the UK? Our UK business reporter Sabah Meddings joins us with details of her investigation. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts.

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A new poll says a majority of both pro- and anti-Brexit voters would support compromises on free movement in return for more trade. So is a more uncertain world shifting opinion on the EU? We discuss with Mark Leonard, co-founder and director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, which carried out the research. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Caroline Hepker. 

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Property developer and former Tory donor Nick Candy has joined Nigel Farage's Reform UK. He's the latest in a slew of high profile Conservatives to switch allegiances, including former minister Andrea Jenkyns. But can the upstart party and its divisive leader handle the scrutiny and break through to the big league? Bloomberg Reporter Jack Ryan joins us to discuss. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts.

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