Political Fix

Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his spending review this week amid the harsh economic effects of coronavirus and the UK's mounting debt pile. Why was foreign aid cut, should public sector workers have received a pay rise and have all the hard choices been delayed until next year? Plus, we discuss how England will exit its national lockdown next week, what happens at Christmas and why there is much unhappiness about the new system of regional tiers.

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Jim Pickard, Chris Giles and George Parker. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan. Review clips: BBC Radio 4, Parliament

Further reading:

-‘Economic emergency’ adds pressure for a rethink on fiscal rules

-Sunak warns of ‘economic emergency’ as borrowing hits record £394bn

-Boris Johnson picks former Treasury adviser as new chief of staff

-Boris Johnson facing big backbench revolt over Covid tier system

-London set to be spared toughest Covid curbs

-UK economy tracker: the tough outlook for jobs

-England hit with tough new regional Covid curbs

-Someone forgot to tell Covid it’s Christmas

-Read the latest on UK politics

-Follow @Seb Payne and @George Parker

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In his bid to reset the UK government's image, Boris Johnson announced a 10-point plan for a 'green recovery' costing billions of pounds. Will it do enough to tackle climate change and does it risk alienating Johnson's 'Red Wall' supporters? The prime minister has also pledged the biggest investment in defence since the end of the cold war. But is there any strategy behind the spending, and can the UK afford it? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Pilita Clark, Jim Pickard, Helen Warrell and George Parker. Produced by Josh de la Mare and Anna Dedhar. The sound engineer was Louise Burton and the editor Liam Nolan. Review clips: BBC Breakfast, Ed Miliband Twitter, Parliament TV

Further reading:

-UK government deficit soars to record high on pandemic borrowing

-Britain’s military still faces hard choices despite spending boost

-Half a cheer for Boris Johnson’s green revolution

-Read the latest on UK politics

-Follow @Seb Payne and @George Parker

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In a dramatic week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson lost two of his key aides, chief adviser Dominic Cummings and director of communications Lee Cain, both senior forces in the Vote Leave campaign. Will their departure mark a new beginning for Downing Street? Plus, Westminster welcomed the news of a coronavirus vaccine breakthrough from Pfizer, but how much will it allow the UK to relax social distancing rules? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Sarah Neville and Clive Cookson. Produced by Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan. Review clips: Sky News, BBC Radio 4, LBC Radio, Parliament TV

Further reading:

-Inside the hunt for a Covid-19 vaccine: how BioNTech made the breakthrough

-Scientists defend controversial head of UK vaccine task force

-Dominic Cummings to leave No 10 by new year

-Video: Boris Johnson's battles with coronavirus, Brexit and himself

-England’s deputy medical chief proposes ‘mum test’ for Covid vaccine

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With Joe Biden on the cusp of becoming the 46th US president, how will Boris Johnson recalibrate and repair transatlantic relations? We discuss whether the two can overcome their differences on Brexit and how the election result will affect trade talks and diplomatic relations. Plus, we examine Rishi Sunak's latest economic stimulus package, why the chancellor had to extend furlough again and whether the Johnson government is struggling to see obvious policy threats ahead. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Gideon Rachman, George Parker, Mure Dickie and special guest Bronwen Maddox, director of the Institute for Government think-tank. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor, Liam Nolan. Review clips: Sky News, Scottish Government, Policy Exchange

Further reading:

-Joe Biden win will reshape the special relationship:

https://www.ft.com/content/77ed195c-303e-49cf-adb9-9aadb3f80ba2

-Concerns grow inside Downing Street as polls point to Biden victory: 

https://www.ft.com/content/fbf9461c-9962-4c59-ba10-70911cd4de48

- Rishi Sunak extends UK furlough scheme to end of March:

https://www.ft.com/content/8f9371a7-e8e2-4a73-b1b6-d2330bb224a3

-Three reasons for Rishi Sunak to keep furlough in place:

https://www.ft.com/content/b6b16f19-4537-442e-ac26-bd1a1101ec5e

-BoE and Sunak join forces to support UK’s Covid economy:

https://www.ft.com/content/b9612f86-cf99-4c34-b448-d7b4a9587852

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

The prime minister found himself at odds with northern leaders this week, as disputes grew over localised coronavirus restrictions. Is Boris Johnson facing a governing crisis with mayors and devolved leaders? Plus, we discuss yet another economic stimulus package from Rishi Sunak to save jobs and whether the Treasury has given up on going for growth this year. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Chris Giles and special guest Gemma Tetlow. Produced by Anna Dedlar and Liam Nolan. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor, Aimee Keane.

Original music by Metaphor Music. Clips: BBC Newsnight, Sky News, Parliament TV

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

Tension over coronavirus rules pervaded local and national UK politics this week as the north of England faced further restrictions, and pubs and restaurants in central Scotland were closed. Will Westminster now take a more centralised approach to restrictions? Plus, we discuss Prime Minister Boris Johnson's virtual Conservative party conference speech and whether he has any hope of achieving his domestic agenda in the age of coronavirus. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Mure Dickie, George Parker and Robert Shrimsley. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Louise Burton and the editor, Liam Nolan. Music by Metaphor Music.

Review clips: Manchester Evening News, Scottish government, Parliament

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Home secretary Priti Patel's initiative to examine plans for an offshore immigration centre on Ascension Island — more than 4,000 miles from the UK — put the government's asylum policy under the spotlight this week and bore striking similarities with policies adopted by Australia's centre-right Liberal party. Why are the Tories so fond of Australia? Plus, a look at why Downing Street has not shied away from warning the public that tougher coronavirus restrictions may lie ahead this winter.

Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Robert Shrimsley, Sarah Neville and special guest, John McTernan. Produced by Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor, Liam Nolan. Music by Metaphor Music. Review clips: BBC, Parliament TV.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced further restrictions to halt the spread of Covid-19 in the UK but faced a backlash from Conservative MPs. Chancellor Rishi Sunak's winter economic plan, however, received a much warmer reception. How much will it help the UK economy? We also discuss Keir Starmer's first conference speech as Labour leader and whether the party's grassroots are happy with the direction he is going. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles, Jim Pickard and special guest Ellie Mae O'Hagan. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan. Music by Metaphor Music.

Review clips: Parliament TV, Reuters, BBC Politics Live

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