The News Agents

Latest Episodes:

Why do we have to choose between new homes and clean water? Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

BREAKING NEWS: Rishi Sunak’s SpAd has hit back at Keir Starmer's ‘Inaction Man‘ gag and called him - wait for it - a ‘man of action’.

But first, Labour is voting against the government’s bill to build more new homes.

Why?

Because the Tories say they would rip up old EU environmental regulation to get morew homes built. Do we really have to choose between the two? Conservatives argue the ‘nutrient neutral ‘ regulations are out dated. Labour says it’s ridiculous to wait 13 years for a solution which then endangers the land.

And Later we give the Lib Dems the right to respond to the row over the by-election in Nadine Dorries' old seat.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

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

The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.

Let the election battle begin: can Labour actually win? Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

"The battle for the General Election is getting started" - that was the message from Labour's Deputy Leader today.

Angela Rayner made also a promise to change anti-strike laws within the first 100 days of a Labour government, in her speech to the TUC.

So on the day that Labour gets serious about the next election, Emily hears from Labour's Peter Kyle - the new Shadow Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology.

He's also running their campaign in the Mid Bedfordshire by-election and claims the Lib Dems there have launched "personal attacks" on the Labour candidate there.

The Lib Dems say no personal attacks have been made. A source said:

"People in Mid Bedfordshire are disappointed that Labour have chosen a London councillor as a candidate to represent their rural towns and villages. After Nadine Dorries, people want a local MP, not someone who has been parachuted in."

And could there be a spy for China in Parliament? If so, how did they get there and what damage could be done? Christopher Steele, former head of the Russia desk at MI6 joins Emily in the studio.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

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

The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.

This week on The News Agents: USA - Vladimir Putin: Trump's Russian running mate? Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

Emily and Jon host a weekly podcast; giving you everything you need to know about the world of US politics and how it affects you.

Episodes are available every Tuesday exclusively on Global Player and all other platforms every Wednesday.

Find the latest episode of News Agents USA here on Global Player.

What is behind our mental health pandemic? Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

*CW: This episode contains discussions about suicide*

More than a hundred of you - our listeners - have been in touch to share your own experiences with mental health care (or lack of it) in this country.

Collectively, you paint a picture of a system in crisis, a pandemic particularly amongst the young which we cannot deal with.

We hear from Roman Kemp - who's called on the government to put mental health provision in all our schools.

And we talk to those working on the front line who offer their understanding of brain chemistry - where it's going wrong and what's happening in our society.

Samaritans have helplines open to all callers including young people 24/7. They also respond to emails and have an online chat system that uses volunteers and not bots. You can find Samaritans by calling 116 123.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

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

The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.

David Lammy on Brexit, Trump and beers with Keir Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

David Lammy, the next Foreign Secretary?

This felt like the week when Labour really began to be treated as a government-in-waiting.

One area which has barely been considered is how the party will handle foreign policy, Britain’s place on the world stage.

David Lammy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, talks to Lewis at length about what he wants to do if he gets that top job and his political journey.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

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

The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.

So, how do you catch a prisoner on the run? Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

How does a man wearing red and white check trousers escape from a prison underneath a moving truck?

Daniel Khalife - as we record - is still on the run. So where has he gone, how did he do it and what are the implications of the whole saga?

Also on today's episode - Chris Pincher resigns as an MP, Britain (sort of) rejoins the... via the Horizon project) and we discuss abortion laws in Mexico.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

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

The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.

Suella’s own goal Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

Could Suella's new Illegal Immigration Act be about to backfire horribly on the Home Office?

Over the last year, money to house asylum seekers has come from the Department for International Aid. It's taken nearly 30 percent of their budget or just over £3.7billion.

But the introduction of the new law - which criminalises asylum seekers - means that the government is no longer allowed under OECD rules to spend Aid money on them.

Instead - the money looks like it may have to come from the Home office itself.

Yup - all the money this government would prefer to be spending on policing, anti-terror, fire services etc. Was this a big fat own goal? Or is the government prepared to break international rules to avoid the change?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

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

The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.

Don't panic! Gillian Keegan says only SOME of our schools are unsafe Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

A government poster warning us "MOST SCHOOLS ARE UNAFFECTED" by lethal crumbling concrete may not offer the reassurance the Department for Education is aiming for. Indeed it was a gift to Labour - whose comms department instantly retorted with "Most swimmers not at risk of sharks".

So what has happened to capital spending on schools since the Conservatives came to power? And what on earth is going on inside Number 10?

Later, we look at why Birmingham City Council has gone bust.... with our own resident Brummie.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

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

The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.

This week on The News Agents: USA - Could a 'treason clause' kick Trump off the ballot? Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Emily and Jon host a weekly podcast; giving you everything you need to know about the world of US politics and how it affects you.

Episodes are available every Tuesday exclusively on Global Player and all other platforms every Wednesday.

Find the latest episode of News Agents USA here on Global Player.

Why has everyone sat on their arses instead of thanking Gillian Keegan? Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

The blame for the school concrete scandal has landed right at the Prime Minister's feet - after a former civil servant from the Department for Education revealed it was Chancellor Sunak that cut the funding for rebuilding schools five years ago.

But it's his Education Secretary - Gillian Keegan - who's conducting the political heat today after a sweary off-mic rant which she is almost certainly now regretting. In fact she gave a subsequent apology ON mic.

The News Agents are back - yes all three - asking what it means for our children's education - and how damaging it is to the Sunak government. And as Keir Starmer shuffles his top team, we ask what it tells us about Labour's priorities a year out from an election.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Producer: Will Gibson-Smith

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

The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.