Show Notes
It’s long been seen as politically untouchable – but Andy Burnham has finally fired the starting gun on reforms to the state pension triple lock. First brought in by David Cameron’s coalition government, the measure of increasing pension payments by the higher of inflation, average wage rises or 2.5% a year was introduced to offset years of underfunding. But the new prime minister has used his first party conference speech as Labour leader to put the triple lock on the negotiating table – against the wishes of the unions, opposition parties and plenty of his own supporters. So, how does the triple lock work and what could take its place? What is the cost to the country and is reforming the system as straightforward as it appears? Niall Paterson is joined by Claire Moffat, a pension and tax expert at Royal London. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]
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Winter is coming. So, a decision to finally allow drilling at the controversial Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea should be welcome. Well, not by environmental campaigners – who've accused the government of backtracking on its net zero commitments. And even supporters of North Sea expansion have admitted opening Jackdaw won’t reduce energy bills, even though it could start helping to supply homes within months. Why, then, has Andy Burnham invested so much political capital in giving the go-ahead? Gareth Barlow is joined by Sky’s science and technology editor Tom Clarke and business correspondent Paul Kelso. Have you got a question for the show? Email us: [email protected]
Europe’s leaders are joining the fight for the Far North – but is it already too late? The European Union has announced a new security strategy for the Arctic. Yet Russia and China already appear to have a huge advantage in the region. Moscow is exploring new trade routes through its shadow fleet, and – with Beijing’s help – the race is on to exploit the Arctic’s reserves of rare earth minerals. Will the UK, US and Canada join Europe’s belated response? Or, as the ice melts, is too late to stop a new cold war from heating up? Gareth Barlow speaks to Sky’s military analyst, Robert Clark. There is more exclusive military analysis and content on the new Sky News Defence Insider app. Sky News Defence Insider is a subscription app designed for audiences seeking deeper insight into defence, security and global affairs. Download and subscribe here. Have you got a question for the show? Email us: [email protected] Paid subscription required for full access. UK only. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Violent clashes, burning buildings, widespread looting and thousands of arrests. Even for France, the scale of the current protests across the country is extreme. What started off as student demonstrations, highlighting issues like a lack of staff and equipment in schools, has grown into a much bigger movement – which the government admits it’s struggling to contain. But France isn’t the only country where the young are protesting. Students in Albania, Italy, Spain and Portugal have also clashed with authorities. So, what’s caused such a huge disconnect between the state and young people across the continent? Gareth Barlow speaks to French journalist Catherine Guilyardi, who lives in Paris and witnessed the violence over the weekend. Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: [email protected]
Surely, the first rule of being a press secretary is never to be the story. But it took Donald Trump's newest spokesperson just 14 minutes to put herself very much front and centre. That was how long Katie Zacharia's first - and only - White House briefing lasted. Now, the president has asked her to consider her position less than a week into the job, leaving her little choice but to stand down. Plucked from a role as a TV talking head, Zacharia had been trusted to replace Karoline Leavitt as the president’s press secretary – responsible for relaying the MAGA message to the media. But she was quickly embroiled in controversy – not least for appearing to overstate her credentials as a fully qualified lawyer. Recorded before her departure, Niall Paterson is joined by the chairman of Republicans Overseas UK, Greg Swenson. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]