Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Has university failed a generation? Andy Burnham has announced a major shake-up of England’s education system, signalling the end of the Blair-era ambition of sending 50% of young people to university and placing greater emphasis on technical and vocational education from the age of 14.Political commentator Charlie Rowley discusses what the changes mean for young people, employers and Britain’s economy. Is Burnham right to move away from a university-first approach, or does the country risk lowering educational aspirations?Rose Stephenson, Director of Policy and Strategy at the Higher Education Policy Institute, argues that the reforms are about expanding opportunities for the half of young people who do not go to university, rather than limiting those who do. Can a stronger technical pathway finally give vocational education the status it deserves?Executive Headteacher Mark Lehain questions whether steering pupils towards technical education from the age of 14 risks entrenching inequality, with children from disadvantaged backgrounds potentially being channelled into lower-quality vocational routes too early.Finally, former Ofsted Chief Inspector Baroness Spielman assesses whether Burnham’s plans can succeed in practice. With high-quality technical education significantly more expensive to deliver, is the Government prepared to invest enough, or is this simply an ambitious vision without the funding needed to make it work?Andy Burnham, university, apprenticeships, technical education, vocational education, schools, Ofsted, higher education and skills. Has Britain finally moved beyond the university-first model? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Britain rewarding welfare over work? As Andy Burnham prepares to crack down on sickness benefits for young people, a wider debate is growing over welfare, social care, policing and whether Britain is becoming too dependent on the state.Ben Gregg, Head of Welfare at the Centre for Social Justice, discusses Burnham’s plans to tighten eligibility for youth sickness benefits amid concerns that too many young people are being signed off work with anxiety and other mental health conditions. Is the welfare system helping people back into work, or trapping a generation on benefits?Author and sociologist Frank Furedi examines Britain’s deepening social care crisis after calls for the Prime Minister to rule out tax rises to fund reform. Can the sector be fixed without asking taxpayers to shoulder an even greater burden, and is a market-led approach the answer?Former Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector David Spencer, now Head of Crime and Justice at Policy Exchange, reacts to reports that police forces have spent £630 million on anti-racist policies. Has the focus shifted too far away from frontline policing and crime prevention?Finally, Dr David Klemperer, Research Assistant at the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath, discusses proposals for compulsory voting as Andy Burnham considers electoral reform. Would mandatory voting strengthen British democracy, or undermine personal freedom?Andy Burnham, welfare reform, youth sickness benefits, social care, tax rises, policing, anti-racism, compulsory voting, electoral reform and British politics. Is Britain becoming too reliant on the state? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has your trust in politics completely broken down? With Nigel Farage’s resignation triggering a controversial Clacton by-election, new research suggests most Britons believe the country’s social contract has collapsed. Is confidence in politics at its lowest point in decades?Former government special adviser James Price examines whether Britain’s political system is fundamentally broken, why trust in politicians continues to decline, and whether the latest Reform UK controversy is a symptom of a much deeper problem.Dan Barker, Board Member of Reform UK, responds after Labour, the Conservatives and Restore announced they will not contest the Clacton by-election, branding it a “fake” vote. Has Farage outmanoeuvred his opponents, or does the resignation deepen public cynicism about politics?Economist Liam Halligan discusses stark warnings from the Office for Budget Responsibility that Andy Burnham could need £120 billion in tax rises to avoid a fiscal crisis. Can Britain afford its current spending commitments, and what would higher taxes mean for households and businesses?Nigel Farage, Reform UK, trust in politics, Clacton by-election, Andy Burnham, £120bn tax rises, the economy and Britain’s future. Has the public lost faith in politics altogether? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Reform survive the Farage scandal? Nigel Farage is facing mounting scrutiny after fresh allegations over political funding, raising questions about transparency, standards and whether the controversy could damage Reform UK’s momentum.Dan Hodges, commentator at the Mail on Sunday, reacts after Farage issued a furious response to claims surrounding undeclared support from a close ally, while Reform insists no rules were broken. With the Conservatives reportedly targeting a Clacton by-election and tighter political donation rules under discussion, will this change how voters view Farage?Former Home Secretary Lord Blunkett joins us to discuss proposals to tighten the rules on political donations, including plans that could cap large donations from overseas-linked individuals. Does Britain’s political finance system need reform?Finally, former Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Chris Phillips examines a major new report urging police to stop engaging in “woke” culture wars and refocus on tackling crime. Has policing lost sight of its core purpose, and what reforms are needed to restore public confidence?Nigel Farage, Reform UK, political funding, political donations, policing, woke culture and public trust. Will the Farage scandal change your vote? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are white working-class kids being left behind? New claims that white working-class students are being excluded from some Oxbridge diversity schemes have reignited the debate over equality, opportunity and who is being left behind in modern Britain.Lord Tony Sewell, former Chair of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, discusses reports that white working-class pupils are missing out on university outreach programmes despite remaining one of the lowest-performing groups educationally. Has the drive for diversity created new inequalities, and does Britain need to rethink how opportunity is targeted?Author and Spectator writer Joanna Williams reacts to the latest row surrounding Andy Burnham, after he dismissed claims he could become Labour’s “first female Prime Minister” amid pressure to appoint more women to senior government roles. Has identity politics gone too far, or is Labour right to focus on representation?Political writer Brendan O’Neill examines why Labour has seen only a limited polling boost following Keir Starmer’s resignation, despite Burnham’s arrival in Downing Street. Is the public still unconvinced that Labour offers the change Britain wants?Finally, Maria Bowtell, Head of Local Government at Restore Britain, discusses growing calls for Shabana Mahmood to close legal loopholes that campaigners say are preventing the deportation of a convicted grooming gang leader. Should the Government strengthen deportation powers for foreign offenders?Education, social mobility, identity politics, Andy Burnham, Labour, grooming gangs, deportation and equality. Are white working-class children becoming Britain’s forgotten generation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Andy Burnham already winning over Britain? New polling suggests Britons would rather see Andy Burnham in No.10 than Nigel Farage, as the new Prime Minister faces his first major tests on the economy, immigration and Net Zero.Mark Littlewood, Director of Popular Conservatism, reacts after Donald Trump branded Burnham “extremely liberal” during a White House appearance. Is Burnham heading for a clash with the US President, and what does his rise mean for the future of British politics?Energy policy expert David Turver examines what a Burnham government could mean for Net Zero, energy bills and economic growth, as businesses and investors seek clarity on Labour’s direction.Annunziata Rees-Mogg, Head of Communications at Popular Conservatism, discusses explosive claims that more than 60,000 migrants have no right to be in Britain, alongside reports that tens of thousands of illegal migrants are effectively unaccounted for. Has Britain lost control of its borders, and can any government get a grip on the crisis?Later, acclaimed author and academic Bjorn Lomborg joins us to debate the cost of climate change policies, whether governments are getting the balance right, and if Net Zero strategies are making ordinary people poorer without delivering the promised results.Andy Burnham, Donald Trump, Nigel Farage, immigration, illegal migration, Net Zero, energy bills and climate policy. Is Britain embracing Burnham’s vision or heading for a political reckoning? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Andy Burnham save Britain? Following the dramatic resignation of Keir Starmer, Labour is entering a new era as attention turns to who will lead the party, and the country, next.Martin Beckford, Policy Editor at the Daily Mail, reacts to Starmer’s emotional departure from Downing Street after months of political turmoil, Cabinet infighting and mounting pressure from Labour MPs. What finally brought down a Prime Minister who entered office with a huge majority?Jonathan Gullis, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, gives his verdict on Labour’s leadership crisis and whether Andy Burnham represents a genuine change of direction or simply a continuation of the same policies that helped force Starmer out.Former Labour adviser Patrick Diamond assesses Burnham’s prospects after reports that he wants three months to prepare for No.10. Can the Greater Manchester Mayor reunite Labour, win back voters and restore confidence in government?Economist Liam Halligan examines what a Burnham premiership could mean for Britain’s economy, taxes, spending and growth, as markets and businesses prepare for a potentially significant shift in direction.Starmer resigns, Andy Burnham, Labour leadership race, No.10 battle, Reform UK, the Conservatives, economic policy and Britain’s future. Is Andy Burnham the answer to Britain’s problems? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Keir Starmer’s premiership entering its final days? With reports of Cabinet unrest, leadership manoeuvring and almost 80 Labour MPs allegedly urging him to quit, the pressure on Keir Starmer has reached boiling point.Former No.10 adviser Oscar Reddrop reacts to the growing Labour civil war, the battle over Starmer’s future, and what’s happening behind closed doors in Downing Street.Meanwhile, Angela Rayner is reportedly pushing for Andy Burnham to return to Westminster fuelling speculation over possible successors and deepening tensions inside the party.Tatton Spiller breaks down the political chaos and asks whether Labour is now tearing itself apart in public.Plus, businessman and Conservative peer Mark Marland joins to discuss the wider implications for business confidence, investment and Britain’s political stability as Westminster descends into crisis.From Starmer resignation rumours and Labour infighting to Rayner, Burnham and leadership plotting, we ask: is this the beginning of the end for Keir Starmer? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should voting be compulsory in Britain, and would it fix a broken political system? Giles Dilnot makes the case against forcing people to the ballot box, as turnout, trust and engagement in UK politics come under scrutiny.Meanwhile, speculation grows over a potential leadership challenge to Keir Starmer, with claims of a “Trojan Horse” plan to bring Andy Burnham back to Westminster. John Power reacts and argues that Starmer’s replacement could be even worse.Plus, ahead of VE Day, historian James Holland discusses new figures showing two-thirds of Gen Z don’t know what VE Day marks, raising questions about education, national identity and historical awareness.From compulsory voting and political reform to Labour infighting and historical literacy, we ask: is Britain losing both civic engagement and its sense of history? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Britain’s welfare system spiralling while borders remain out of control? New figures suggest one million children could soon be claiming disability benefits, raising urgent questions about welfare dependency, public spending and long-term sustainability.Andrew Allison and Callum McGoldrick debate the benefits surge, economic impact and whether the system is being stretched too far.At the same time, the small boats crisis continues to escalate with arrivals projected to hit 200,000, while deportations lag far behind. Border expert Henry Bolton assesses immigration control, enforcement failures and what needs to change.And as Keir Starmer pushes for closer ties with the EU including potential £1bn-a-year commitments and defence cooperation Annunziata Rees-Mogg reacts to the growing backlash over Brexit, sovereignty and Britain’s financial obligations to Brussels.From welfare crisis and disability benefits to migration, small boats and EU relations, we ask: is Britain losing control of its borders, spending and direction? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Dolan sits in for Ian Collins this bank holiday Monday. He is joined by Liam Deacon and Dr Mike Galsworthy to discuss Keir Starmer telling European leaders that the UK’s “national interest” lies in deeper EU ties - even as the bloc demands £1 billion a year for greater access to the single market.Then political power couple Neil and Christine Hamilton break down the shocking new figures showing welfare now pays more than work for 600,000 UK households.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain on high alert: the terror threat level has been raised to “severe” following the Golders Green attack, with warnings the risk of further attacks is high and the public urged to stay vigilant.Former Head of Counter-Terrorism at the MoD Chip Chapman joins alongside social cohesion expert Fiyaz Mughal and extremism specialist Paul Stott to assess the security response, terror threat, and risks facing the UK.With police now considering a ban on pro-Palestine marches, Claire Fox reacts to the growing row over public safety, protest rights and free speech.From the Golders Green terror attack and rising threat level to extremism, policing powers and civil liberties, we ask: how serious is the threat and how far should Britain go to respond? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Keir Starmer’s leadership collapsing as Britain faces a growing terror threat? Allies of Angela Rayner are reportedly turning on Keir Starmer, with the Mandelson–Epstein scandal fuelling a full-blown crisis inside Labour.In the studio, Alex Dyke is joined by Hull East MP Karl Turner to ask whether Starmer can survive and what comes next for the party.Meanwhile, Nigel Farage opens the door to a Reform–Tory coalition, signalling a potential realignment on the Right.And breaking news: police have declared a terrorist incident after two Jewish men were stabbed in London. Security expert Will Geddes and journalist Nicole Lampert react as concerns grow over antisemitism, extremism and public safety in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Britain facing a demographic tipping point and a growing security crisis? New projections warn of millions more migrants, a falling birth rate, and deaths set to outnumber births, putting pressure on the UK economy, housing and public services.Laurie Wastell and economist Paul Johnson break down the migration surge, population growth and economic impact.Meanwhile, the political pressure ramps up on Keir Starmer, with a deepening Mandelson scandal, Labour MPs in revolt, and fresh accusations of a cover-up at the top of government. Former adviser Kevin Meagher reacts.And breaking news: Alex Hearn joins with the latest on the Golders Green stabbing, as counter-terror police investigate, raising urgent questions about public safety, extremism and policing in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.