Politics At Sam and Anne's

As Andy Burnham hops around on the world stage is Alan Milburn about to cause the Prime Minister’s biggest political storm yet?With less than a week until the long-awaited Milburn Review is released, the former Health Secretary is proposing a welfare revolution with a radical overhaul of the current system – including, stripping under 24s of existing disability benefits as well as imposing tighter and tougher conditions.With billions at stake, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at the looming upheaval, the political cost and whether it could trigger a fresh Labour rebellion.Plus, as the PM visits the European Political Community in Ireland, the duo look at the latest efforts to stop the war in Ukraine and whether the UK will align more or less with the European Union.

As the prime minister heads to COP, does the government have a coherent message on climate change? With the cost of the green transition taking priority, the government faces tough questions on its policy decisions and delays around oil, gas and electric cars. Are Labour’s climate ambitions slipping because of hard economic choices? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the political divisions and why COP could matter far more for Labour than it first appears. Elsewhere, Nigel Farage appoints a new policy chief – but was Amar Johal already pulling the strings? Plus, Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo delivers a brutal lesson in Whitehall hierarchy, following a run-in over chairs.

Is the battle over welfare reforms about to intensify?With the Milburn Report just a week away, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy examine the growing pressure on Labour to tackle the issue as the head of the civil service – Antonia Romeo – prepares Whitehall for a spending squeeze.But, as costs spiral, the Conservatives are circling and plan to lay out their plans on how they would reduce £36bn from the benefits bill - Where will the money come from and who will bear the costs?Elsewhere, Sam hears some rumblings that No10 North is already being branded as a “government think tank.”Plus, does the weekly polling show signs of a Tory fightback and are Reform beginning to suffer?

Andy Burnham has a vision but with a mountain to climb where is his premiership heading?With the 10-year plan, controversial welfare reforms and a UK-EU summit on the horizon, can the Prime Minster turn his political ambition into real change.In a special episode, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy are joined by Paul Ovenden, Keir Starmer’s former director of strategy, to deep dive into the thinking of the Burnham government.Has the PM learnt from Starmer’s failures, how far will he push welfare reform and could Britain eventually rejoin the EU?

It’s been a bruising night for Donald Trump at the midterm elections - losing both the House and the Senate – but what does it mean for Britain?In a special edition, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy hear from a variety of experts – on both sides of the Atlantic – as the balance of power shifts in Washington.So where does the President go from here - will he double down or change course?Could he relaunch an offensive in Iran? What will happen to the world economy? And could the fallout fundamentally reshape Britain’s relationship with its closest ally?

A bullish home secretary came out swinging after critics claimed a climbdown over her controversial immigration reforms. What remains from Shabana Mahmood’s original plan? And is the rest of the cabinet – including Angela Rayner – really behind her? Sam Coates – who's been speaking to the home secretary – and Anne McElvoy examine the details and question whether she’s done enough to quash the internal arguments within Labour.

Are domestic political battles about to collide with a diplomatic storm for the Prime Minister?As Andy Burnham jets off to the Caribbean, Home Secretary – Shabana Mahmood – prepares to unveil one of the most contentious policies of his premiership: a major crackdown on legal migration.But, a year after the plans were first proposed, Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at whether Labour have quashed the internal rebellion and how much influence Angela Rayner has had on the PM’s position.Plus, as the Commonwealth Summit gets underway in Antigua, is the Prime Minister facing a series of challenges on the international front – from potential reparations for slavery to US-China influence on the region.

So was that it? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy have slept on it – and are feeling the budget may have landed with a whimper rather than a bang.They weigh up the case for the defence: has John Healey played it safe to reassure the markets, keep Labour onside and give households some immediate relief on energy bills? Or has he ducked the big decisions, leaving families facing a cost-of-living squeeze and businesses distinctly underwhelmed?Plus, it’s not just Sam and Anne’s reaction. Friends of the podcast have been sending their messages as they mull it over too.And if you missed it, our full 30-minute Budget debrief with Sky News’ Economics and Data editor Ed Conway is already in your feeds, offering a deeper dive on John Healey’s statement.

A breathing space budget or a look into a new bleak economic reality?Chancellor – John Healey - delivered a no thrills budget but with grim warnings on the economic dashboard from the Office for Budget Responsibility can he deliver the “breathing space” he wants to give people?With growth downgraded, borrowing set to rise and taxes heading for a post war high did he deliver any hope or has he simply pushed the problem down the road.Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy are joined by Sky News’ Economics and Data Editor – Ed Conway – to go over the big decisions, examine what the numbers mean for households and ask if Labour still has “fresh hope for the future.”Want to ask Sam and Anne a question – email them at [email protected]

It’s budget day and it’s a critical moment for Chancellor and the UK economy.So, what are the plans to ease the squeeze on household bills and the cost-of-living crisis?Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the high-stakes decisions facing the government and how John Healey plans to raise billions in additional revenue through increasing tax.With tough choices delayed, fiscal headroom shrinking and Whitehall budgets stretched to breaking point, will this budget fix Britain’s problems or simply kick them down the road?And, will this budget reveal who really runs the government - No 11, No 10 or the markets?