The News Agents

Latest Episodes:

So, one person has gone to Rwanda... May 01, 2024

Show notes

As of this week, Rishi Sunak can boast he has sent asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Admittedly, it was just one guy. Admittedly he was paid £3k to go. Admittedly he'd already failed the asylum test to remain in Britain and admittedly - crucially - he went voluntarily. This is NOT the same forced deportation plan that Rishi promised would "stop the boats".

But don't let pesky details get you down. The headline - conveniently dropping before tomorrow's local elections - make it sound like the Rwanda plan is flying.

Later - what should you be looking out for in the Glastonbury weekend of fun that is the local elections.

And what's going on with the protests on US college campuses - are we next?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Why are so many of our MPs facing death threats? Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

If the Palace of Westminster were a village - the Head of Counter Terrorism police tells us - NO one would dare to live there.

Today we ask why so many of our MPs face threats to life - and what it's doing to our democracy more broadly, in terms of how they vote and speak out.

Also, should we be concerned about actual terrorist acts from countries like China and Russia and Iran - are they operating on our streets - without the public even knowing?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Humza Yousaf resigns. Is Scottish independence dead? Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

On the stroke of midday, Humza Yousaf, Scotland's First Minister, made the announcement that just a week ago would have been unthinkable.

Acknowledging the miscalculations he made in the sacking of his Green cabinet members last week - and the confidence vote he would - in all likelihood - have lost - the head of the Scottish government resigned.

For fifteen years the SNP have been a political behemoth in Scotland - writing the rules of devolution and looking to a time of future independence. But after a year of utter political turmoil, is their time in power up?

Today, we look at how we got here, the mistakes made, and who can take the party forward.

We talk to a potential future leader, Stephen Flynn, and ask what this means for Labour at the General Election and for the shape of British politics more broadly.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

INVESTIGATION: Britain’s hidden homeless children Apr 28, 2024

Show notes

In 2024 Britain nearly 140,000 kids are homeless. Just because you don’t see them on the street doesn’t mean they’re not there. This is Britain’s temporary accommodation crisis, one which is worsening.

Temporary accommodation was once a safe harbour for a few days, a week, a month or so at most.

Now, thanks to rocketing rents and inadequate housing supply, more and more families find a single room in a hotel or accommodation block their permanent home.

In this latest News Agents Investigates series, Lewis hits to road to find out just how big a problem it is, where it comes from and why so many working class kids may find themselves ruined by forces outside their control.

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Video Production: Rory Symon

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Weekend Edition - The Sports Agents Apr 27, 2024

Show notes

This week on The Sports Agents...

A Premier League launched an attack on VAR via their social media account - and threatened legal action... Is there actually any legal recourse for victims of a dodgy offside decision? The Athletic's David Ornstein joined us on the pod to discuss the chaos at Nottingham Forest.

Ultra-marathon runner Jasmine Parris then spoke to Gabby & Mark about becoming the first women to ever complete the Barkley Marathons and just what it takes to conquer the legendary 100-mile race.

With the NFL Draft taking place this weekend and the number one pick going to Mark's beloved Chicago Bears, former Dallas Cowboys star Jason Bell told us how it all works and why the ingenious system should be the envy of European football.

And after Liverpool's defeat to Everton in midweek we asked if Jurgen Klopp has announced his Anfield departure too soon.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Neil Kinnock: The Prime Minister Labour never had Apr 26, 2024

Show notes

Lord Neil Kinnock - Labour leader from 1983 to 1992, Thatcher's biggest rival in her pomp, joins Lewis in the studio for a sit down chat to talk about his political life, from the 1950s to Harold Wilson, his interactions with Jeremy Corbyn and his hopes, (or whether he has any doubts), about Sir Keir Starmer.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Interview Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Rory Symon

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Is the SNP government hanging by a thread? Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

Scotland's First Minister is facing a confidence vote after he pulled the plug this morning on his coalition government by ejecting the two Green party members of his cabinet.

Humza Yousaf is making the case for a fresh start - unburdened by culture wars issues and climate change issues pulling the SNP in a direction it's no longer prepared to go in. But the Conservatives in Scotland smell blood.

Can they bring the whole government crashing down with their vote?

Later, Mick Lynch on the Labour plan for railways and what he makes of Angela Raynor's housing issue.

And we bring you the snap results - from JL Partners - of which way GB News viewers are voting. It's quite the poll.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Interview Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Rory Symon

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Wake up call or gimmick? The government's new defence plan Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

The Prime Minister is in Europe this week making the case for an increase in defence spending of £75 billion over the next six years - to deal with growing global threats in a turbulent world.

That's the headline at least. But Labour is asking pesky questions. Where is the new money actually coming from? And is the lift as great as it actually seems? We break down the numbers a little to see if the sums work.

Later, Angela Rayner put her own housing issues centre stage at PMQs today against the Deputy PM. Did it work? And is 'pint size' now legit criticism in the Commons?

And what's happening to TikTok after US legislators voted to see it banned or sold?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Why is Elon Musk at war with Australia? Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

Australia’s PM is at war with Elon Musk - calling him an ‘arrogant billionaire’ - and worse.

He’s fighting to get violent images of a church stabbing in Sydney banned from Twitter/X. Elon Musk says it's censorship and an infringement on free speech. So who is going to win out here - regulation or tech money?

Later, as more immigrants die in the Channel, we ask if Rwanda can act as a deterrent. And - on St. George’s day - what does patriotism mean to you - red and white cuff links? Cups of tea? Or mumbled embarrassment?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Rwanda delayed: Will Sunak ever get planes off the ground? Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

Rishi is making those naughty Lords stay in the chamber until they pass his Rwanda Bill without pesky amendments. That may come in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

But even once the legal hurdles are passed, the practicalities will still be fiendish. Why has the first plane date been delayed again? Which airline is willing to take on the legal risk? How do immigrants' 'inadmissability appeals' work? And why did the government slip out the 24% INCREASE on small boat arrivals during this morning's press conference?

Later, what actually happened in that encounter between the policeman and the antisemitism campaigner.

And - Huw Edwards resigns from the BBC - what happens now.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/