Budget, boats and a by-election

The Labour government navigates yet more choppy waters

An episode of the Political Fix podcast, hosted by Financial Times, titled "Budget, boats and a by-election" was published on October 24, 2025 and runs 28 minutes.

October 24, 2025 ·28m · Political Fix

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Summary

Chancellor Rachel Reeves received a rare bit of good news from lower inflation statistics this week, which could reduce government borrowing ahead of the November Budget. But the uphill struggle to improve Labour’s standing in the polls continues after a drubbing in Caerphilly, the embarrassing failure of the one-in-one-out migrant policy and the chaotic start to the grooming gang inquiry. Host George Parker is on hand to dissect the week along with deputy political editor Jim Pickard, UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley and the FT’s northern England correspondent Jennifer Williams. Plus, is the King getting poor advice from the PM over Prince Andrew in the wake of further damaging revelations about the prince’s links to Jeffrey Epstein?Follow George on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Robert: @robertshrimsley or @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Jen on X @JenWilliamsMEN and Jim on X @PickardJEWant more?  Labour suffers seismic by-election defeat to Plaid Cymru in CaerphillyUK borrowing costs fall in boost for Rachel ReevesReeves vows to clear way for BoE rate cuts with cost of living pledgeGrooming gang victims call for minister to resignA defining crisis for Britain’s royalsBritain’s flawed support for Jaguar Land RoverClips from: Sky & Parliament Live TVSign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.Our email address is [email protected] by George Parker. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting head of audio is Manuela Saragosa. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Description

Follow George on Bluesky or X: @georgewparker.bsky.social, @GeorgeWParker; Robert: @robertshrimsley or @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Jen on X @JenWilliamsMEN and Jim on X @PickardJE

Want more?

Labour suffers seismic by-election defeat to Plaid Cymru in Caerphilly

UK borrowing costs fall in boost for Rachel Reeves

Reeves vows to clear way for BoE rate cuts with cost of living pledge

Grooming gang victims call for minister to resign

A defining crisis for Britain’s royals

Britain’s flawed support for Jaguar Land Rover

Clips from: Sky & Parliament Live TV

Sign up here for Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free.

Our email address is political[email protected]

Presented by George Parker. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Audio mix and original music by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.