Political Fix

The UK encountered the first bumps in its vaccine roll out programme, as the government warned supplies of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab would drop significantly in April. Why? How will this affect the lockdown easing? What caused this shortfall and how does it play into Europe's issues with the vaccine? Plus, we discuss whether policing in the UK requires fundamental reform, following the Met’s handling of a vigil in London’s Clapham Common last weekend. Do current laws offer enough protection for women? Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Clive Cookson, Robert Shrimsley and Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan.Review clips: 10 Downing Street, European Commission, UK ParliamentRead more:-EU threat to vaccine exports exposes mutual risks to global supply chain-Coronavirus tracker: the latest figures as countries fight the Covid-19 resurgence-Johnson urges EU to step back from coronavirus vaccine war-Retesting 1.7m vaccines and Indian delay blamed for UK shortage-NHS warns of ‘significant reduction’ in vaccine supplies-The police must learn to listen to women-Boris Johnson must make the security of women a national priority-Met faces its MeToo moment with anger over attitude of officers-Priti Patel insists new laws will protect women-Freeing women from the constant fear of violence-Fury at Everard murder spurs pledge to tackle violence against women-Read the latest on UK politics-Follow @Seb Payne, @George Parker and @Robert Shrimsley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The explosive TV interview the Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave this week raised major questions about the future of the monarchy, as well as tricky issues for Downing Street on how to handle the accusations of racism. We explore the constitutional relationship and how politics are divided. Plus, we look ahead to the Integrated Review next week into the UK's foreign and defence policy and what it will say about global Britain. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Robert Shrimsley, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, George Parker and special guest Catherine Haddon from the Institute for Government think-tank. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Aimee Keane.Review clips: CBS/Harpo Productions, BBC News, Downing Street Read more:-From fairy tale to culture war: Britain gripped by royal race row-Royal rift marks a tragic missed opportunity-Like all firms, the royal family must learn to listen on diversity-The ‘invisible’ pact binding the UK royals and their tabloid tormentors-Royals nearly drove me to suicide, Meghan Markle tells Oprah Winfrey-Britain’s royal family must downsize if it wants to survive-Johnson set to unnerve allies with ‘Global Britain’ defence review-UK’s policy towards China is riddled with contradictions-Boris Johnson takes passage to India to support ‘Indo-Pacific tilt’-Squandering trust is no route to a ‘Global Britain’-EU capitals weigh tougher response to UK’s Brexit ‘provocations’-Read the latest on UK politics-Follow @Seb Payne and @George Parker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak presented his second Budget this week, tearing up Conservative economic orthodoxy with billions of pounds of spending and tax rises. What state are the UK's public finances in? And will he actually go ahead with planned spending cuts? Plus, we examine the 'levelling up' pledges and whether they go far enough to help rebalance the needs of the economy with those of the north of England. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Chris Giles, Andy Bounds and special guest Diane Coyle. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Aimee Keane. Review clips: Parliament TV, Institute for Fiscal Studies.Read more on FT.com:-Relocating UK’s civil service is crucial to Johnson’s levelling-up agenda-Johnson under pressure to publish ‘levelling-up’ fund criteria-Rishi Sunak prepares the ground for Tory election strategy-Rishi Sunak’s un-Tory Budget confounds assumptions once again-The Budget, your money and how to prepare for what comes next-Sunak’s tax freezes are not as harmless as they seem-The UK’s ‘new Tory’ economics are different but insufficient-Read the latest on UK politics-Follow @Seb Payne and @George Parker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak will deliver his second Budget next week, where the chancellor will set out a mission to put the UK's public finances on a sounder footing. Will he reveal rises in spending, tax or both? Plus, we discuss Alex Salmond's select committee appearance on Friday and whether the former Scottish first minister's testimony is a threat to his successor Nicola Sturgeon. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Mure Dickie, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Gemma Tetlow. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Aimee Keane.Review clips: Parliament TV, Scottish Parliament-After the pandemic: Sunak signals the UK’s return to fiscal conservatism-Levelling up tests Johnson’s ‘Heineken’ credentials-Salmond accuses Sturgeon of presiding over ‘failures of leadership’-SNP feud threatens its Scottish independence hopes-Read the latest on UK politics-Follow @Seb Payne and @George Parker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson made it clear this week that he will not rush into easing the nationwide lockdown - what will the UK prime minister set out in his road map next week? Will schools return and when will further measures be eased? Plus, we discuss the surprise appointment of Lord David Frost to Johnson's cabinet and what it says about relations with the EU and the next ministerial reshuffle. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Sarah Neville, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, George Parker and Robert Shrimsley. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan.Review clips: Downing Street, Parliament TVFurther reading:-Diplomats and business express caution over Frost cabinet role-The equivalence tussle is giving UK a lesson in Brexit power politics-Johnson puts final touches to cautious easing of English lockdown-Covid infections dropping fast across England, study shows-Read the latest on UK politics-Follow @Seb Payne and @George Parker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hotel quarantine will finally be introduced to the UK next week, but can the logistics work? Will it stop new variants of the virus spreading - and are enough countries going to be included? Plus, we discuss whether Sir Keir Starmer is stalling as Labour leader and whether he is critical enough of the government's coronavirus policies. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Alice Hancock, Robert Shrimsley and special guest Sienna Rodgers, editor of LabourList. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Louise Burton and the editor Aimee Keane.Review clips: BBC Radio 4, Parliament TV, PA Media, Novara MediaFurther reading:-UK Covid border measures under increasing strain ahead of rollout-Travel bosses fear summer season at risk after UK warns on holidays-Britain wakes up to the power of border controls-Should Britons abandon hope of a summer holiday?-Labour’s Starmer has no quick fix; Johnson stole his story-Labour party looks to Biden for inspiration-Labour attacks £1bn cuts to flagship green homes scheme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the UK faced the prospect of the emergence of new coronavirus mutations while surging past 10m vaccinations. Will this progress speed up the relaxation of the lockdown? What timetable is the prime minister working to? Plus, we discuss how Brexit is affecting trade in Northern Ireland and whether the contentious trade protocol will be suspended or improved to ease tensions. Presented by Sebastian Payne. With Sarah Neville, Clive Cookson, George Parker and Peter Foster. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan.Review clips: 10 Downing Street, Parliament TV, BBC Radio UlsterFurther reading:UK coronavirus quarantine system to start on February 15Treasury economists work on plan for phased lifting of Covid restrictionsJohnson remains cautious on easing England’s lockdownCan the Northern Ireland Brexit protocol survive?Brussels pushes back on UK bid to rewrite Northern Ireland protocolJohnson threatens to use emergency powers to avoid barrier in Irish Sea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson set out how England will exit its nationwide lockdown this week, with schools set to reopen in early March but shops and other businesses due to come later. We speak to Mark Harper, chair of the Covid Recovery Group, about what Tory MPs want to hear from the prime minister. Plus, we examine the Scottish National party's latest push for independence and whether their plan B will run foul of UK law. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Mure Dickie and special guests Conservative MP Mark Harper and Nicola McEwan from Edinburgh University. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh da la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Cheryl Brumley.Review clips: UK pool, Scottish governmentFurther reading:A grim accounting of the UK’s virus mishandlingEngland lockdown starts to suppress Covid-19, study suggestsSchools in England to remain closed until at least early MarchTory activists hope for Covid ‘bounce’ if curbs are liftedIndependence vote ‘irrelevant’ to most Scots, says JohnsonThe battle is under way to save the UK unionThere is no cunning wheeze to stop Scottish independence Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Biden was inaugurated as the new US president this week - what does it mean for UK-US relations? Can Boris Johnson forge a rapport with him on shared policy areas? Plus, we examine how the UK-EU Brexit trade deal has bedded in and whether the supply disruption in Northern Ireland will be permanent. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with George Parker, Gideon Rachman, Peter Foster and special guest Anna Jerzewska. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan.Review clips: US Congress, Sky News, Times Radio, BBCFurther reading:-EU hits back over UK downgrade of its ambassador’s status-First fishermen and now musicians cry ‘betrayal’ over Brexit deal-Labour party looks to Biden for inspiration-Boris Johnson on back foot as UK tries to reset relationship with US-Boris Johnson vows to business he will seize ‘opportunities of Brexit’-Democratic Unionists are now Irish reunification’s secret weapon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK's battle against the new strain of Covid-19 has had mixed results this week – deaths continued to be high while infections started to fall. Are enough people following the rules? And is the vaccine rollout going to plan? Plus, we discuss the government's plans to move 22,000 civil servants out of Whitehall and whether it will help the prime minister's "levelling up" agenda. Presented by Sebastian Payne, with Jim Pickard, Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, Andy Bounds and special guest Jill Rutter of the Institute for Government. Produced by Anna Dedhar and Josh de la Mare. The sound engineer was Breen Turner and the editor Liam Nolan. Review clips: Downing Street, Parliament, BBCFurther reading:-Covid infection trends in England put scientists at odds-UK government pressed to extend free school meals scheme-UK set to step up coronavirus vaccinations-England’s Covid infection rates ease as restrictions are reinforced-Pledge to level-up UK questioned after northern transport budget cuts-‘Treasury North’ leads march of civil servants out of London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.