Pod Save the UK

Dr Carrie Grant MBE, TV presenter and vocal coach who campaigns on SEND, and Zoë Grünewald, political journalist and commentator. They unpack Labour leadership manoeuvres and Starmer’s China trip. They also probe defections to Reform, Palantir’s NHS data concerns and a brewing fight over SEND reforms and legal rights.

Liam Thorp, political editor at the Liverpool Echo, discusses Labour's ambitious £15bn Warm Homes Plan, its impact on the cost of living, and the ongoing Hillsborough Law delay. Comedian Alaa Shehada, co-founder of the Palestinian Comedy Collective, shares his experiences performing under occupation and the logistical challenges faced on tour. He highlights the importance of comedy in maintaining cultural resilience and discusses his poignant show, 'The Horse of Jenin,' which dives into themes of memory and hope.

X has been firmly in the firing line after its Grok AI tool was used to create sexualised images of women and children. Elon Musk’s company could face a fine of up to 10% of its global earnings by internet regulator Ofcom, or a ban in the UK. He denies that the AI has done anything illegal and says users are responsible for the images they create.How can we regulate AI? Nish and Coco speak to Rutger Bregman, historian and author who called out billionaires at Davos. He argues Big Tech should be treated like Big Tobacco, and gives his take on Iran, as thousands of protestors take to the streets, and what a radical policy platform looks like for the UK Left today.Plus - what on earth is UKIP proposing as a terrifying rebrand? *Update on Palestinian Hunger Strikers*: On 14th Jan Heba, Kamran, and Lewie collectively paused their hunger strike. They made British history, lasting 73 days.CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS SHOPIFYShopify.co.uk/podsavetheukBABBELhttps://www.babbel.com/PSUK GUESTS Rutger Bregman - Historian and Author of Moral Ambition, out in paper back on 15th JanUSEFUL LINKShttps://www.moralambition.org/bookLet us know your experiences of SEND support in schools - or any other stories.CREDITSLiz Kendall MP, Technology Secretary - Parliament TVRutger Bregman - Publicae   Rutger Bregman and Tucker Carlson - Now ThisTehran protests - Shaparak Khorsandi/InstagramDonald Trump - New York TimesLaila Cunningham - Daily Express/YouTubeNadim Zahawi - Sky NewsPod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukLike and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUKInstagram: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukX: https://x.com/podsavetheuk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US President put the season of goodwill behind him with a New Year Venezuelan coup and the threat of further action across Central America and the Caribbean. Then there’s the little matter of his promise to seize control of Greenland.Nish and Coco try to make sense of the senseless - and to assess the possibility that Donald Trump could end up destroying NATO - with Tommy Vietor from our sister podcasts Pod Save America and Pod Save the World. Plus, comedian Cody Dahler gives us his take on how 2026 will shape up for politicians and satirists. How easy is it to make jokes while the world - literally and metaphorically - is on fire? CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS WISEhttps://wise.com/BABBELhttps://www.babbel.com/PSUK GUESTS Cody Dahler, Comedian and Presenter of The Truth (In My Opinion)Tommy Vietor, Co-Host of Pod Save America and Pod Save the WorldNida JafriUSEFUL LINKSPalestine Action Hunger Strikers:How to write to your MP https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/Petition calling for action from the Justice Secretaryhttps://actionnetwork.org/petitions/call-on-mp-and-secretary-of-justice-david-lammy-to-intervene-and-protect-the-hunger-strikers/CREDITSParliament TVCody Dahler/TikTokSunday with Laura Kuenssberg/BBC OneTonight with Andrew Marr/LBCPod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukLike and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUKInsta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukTwitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheuk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nish and Coco tackle intriguing topics, from their surprisingly conservative opinions on various issues to critiques of NATO from both the left and right. They delve into why many progressives remain loyal to the Labour Party despite its shortcomings. The hosts explore voting systems like first-past-the-post and suggest alternatives, while also proposing universal public services. They candidly discuss the complexities of AI, its impacts, and the need for regulation, all wrapped up in a rapid-fire round of personal insights and cultural reflections.

Join British-Iranian comedian Shappi Khorsandi and political commentator Jovan Uwusu-Nepaul as they dissect the chaotic landscape of British politics in 2025. They dive into Labour's AI-generated campaign hiccup and discuss Starmer's confusing policy U-turns. The conversation heats up with critiques on governmental hesitance regarding Gaza and reflections on the Greens’ refreshing approach. Plus, they share their thoughts on the rise of Reform Party and its implications, wrapped up with some cheeky year-end awards!

Donald Trump has taken another swipe at Europe’s “weak” leaders over Ukraine and immigration including a special mention for - surprise surprise - Sadiq Khan, who got a shout out for being a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”. Honestly, why is he SO obsessed?! But a Labour government trying to convince European allies to water down human rights law to deport people faster seems perfectly in line with Trump's vision. Nish and Coco are joined by Sky’s Deputy Political Editor Sam Coates.They also take a dive into the latest allegation swirling around Reform UK - this time the party’s election spending in Nigel Farage’s Clacton constituency is under the spotlight.And the scale of the homelessness crisis always seems more acute at this time of year - so the Minister for Local Government and Homelessness, Alison McGovern, joins PSUK to explain how their new plan will be the one to finally make a difference.Finally - PSUK has watched the first episode of the Liz Truss Show, so you don’t have to. Nish and Coco give it a rating out of one to limp lettuce.CHECK OUT THESE DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS BABBELhttps://www.babbel.com/PSUK AURA FRAMEShttps://www.auraframes.com Code: PSUKSHOPIFYShopify.co.uk/podsavetheukGUESTS Sam Coates, Deputy Political Editor at Sky NewsAlison McGovern MP, Minister of State for Local Government and HomelessnessUSEFUL LINKS: Nish’s Carol Performance CREDITSPolitico The Liz Truss Show / YouTubeKeir Starmer MP / TikTokRishi Sunak MP / TikTokPod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.Contact us via email: PSUK@reducedlistening.co.ukBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/podsavetheuk.crooked.comInsta: https://instagram.com/podsavetheukTwitter: https://twitter.com/podsavetheukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podsavetheukFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsavetheukYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodSavetheUK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Liz Sayce OBE, a seasoned disability expert, as she uncovers shocking failures in the carers' allowance system that left many unknowingly in debt. Liz highlights systemic issues and calls for urgent reforms to protect vulnerable carers. The conversation also dives into the controversial proposal to cut jury trials for minor crimes, raising questions about fairness and public trust in the judicial system. With a mix of policy insight and gripping anecdotes, this discussion reveals the complexities of justice and support for those in need.

Zoë Grünewald, a savvy political journalist, and Dr. Faiza Shaheen, Director of Tax Justice UK, dive into the impacts of Rachel Reeves' recent budget. Grünewald discusses how the budget aims to soothe party tensions but lacks bold reform, while Shaheen critiques the minimal wealth tax proposals and emphasizes the need for progressive changes. They also highlight the lifting of the two-child benefit cap as a win, although they point out significant flaws that may affect younger generations. The conversation reveals a deeper struggle between economic policies and social equity.

Robert Palmer, Deputy Director of Uplift, sheds light on the government's controversial Warm Homes Plan and the impending budget cuts to energy support. He discusses the long-term impacts of gas prices and the need for sustainable solutions like renewables and insulation. The conversation highlights the socio-political implications of Shabana Mahmood's asylum reforms and the potential fallout from Labour's internal conflicts. Palmer emphasizes the urgency of protecting households from high costs while transitioning to cleaner energy.