Bloomberg UK Politics – Details, episodes & analysis

The chair of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry has delivered a damning conclusion after years of gathering evidence about the fire at the high-rise block in 2017 which saw 72 people lose their lives. The report concluded the deaths were 'all avoidable', blaming the construction industry, government and others for a litany of failures. We discuss the findings with Bloomberg's Jack Sidders who covers the building industry. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts. This episode contains distressing audio

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The government has come in for criticism from Israel and the UK's Chief Rabbi, as well as those opposed to Israel's military action in Gaza, after suspending 30 of the UK's 350 arms export licenses to the country. We discuss the implications of the decision with Bloomberg Opinion columnist Marc Champion. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Caroline Hepker. 

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Today is the day: thousands of students across the UK receive their A-Level results. But as many students celebrate, universities are grappling with mounting financial pressures. We discuss the state of higher education with Edward Peck, Acting Chair of UCAS' Board and Vice-Chancellor at Nottingham Trent University. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts. 

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Today's edition of PMQS saw Rishi Sunak grilled on the progress of the Rwanda deal and criminal prosecutions, we discuss the Prime Minister's performance.

Plus, yesterday the Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves delivered her big economic vision-setting Mais lecture. What did we learn? Panmure Gordon's Chief Economist Simon French joins us with more. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and James Woolcock. 

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Fresh from a meeting with the Home Secretary, Henry Smith, Conservative MP for Crawley, tells Bloomberg Westminster's Sebastian Salek and Roger Hearing the French aren't pulling their weight on the migrant crisis.

Plus, Kantar Public CEO Michelle Harrison joins to discuss her latest polling, including growing pro-EU sentiment.

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Ministers are defending a last-minute plan to avoid an English version of Scotland's A level results debacle. Christine Jardine, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, tells Bloomberg's Sebastian Salek and Caroline Hepker the government can't do too much to make sure grades don't suffer.

Plus, Britain's back in recession. Dan Hanson from Bloomberg Economics explains why the U.K. is suffering more than all major European countries. And political consultant Mike Indian considers whether this might be a turning point for Rishi Sunak's popularity.

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Schools dominate the agenda again today, after a report that the unpublished PHE study the government is using to justify sending children back to the classroom this month also finds that older pupils are as likely to spread the virus as adults.

Andrew Mitchell, Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield and former international development secretary, joins to talk that, plus aid for Lebanon.

And the TUC's Jay McKenna tells Bloomberg Westminster's Caroline Hepker and Sebastian Salek why workers should get paid to quarantine, even if it's after coming back from holiday.

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Boris Johnson is doubling down on his commitment to open all English schools in September. Graham Stringer, Labour MP for Blackley and Broughton, tells Bloomberg Westminster's Sebastian Salek and Caroline Hepker why his party should be more enthusiastic about the proposal.

Plus, as a new survey finds one in three British businesses plans to cut staff this quarter, Stephen Phipson of manufacturers' organisation MakeUK explains why ending furlough in October is a mistake.

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Coronavirus restrictions in Greater Manchester and other towns were confused by a slow-footed government but the pandemic response has not become politicised says Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Manchester Gorton. In our special on the Northern lockdown, Khan tells Bloomberg Westminster's Caroline Hepker he is in favour of local test-and-trace, despite the government's centralised approach.

And what about the economic impact? Northern Powerhouse Director Henri Murison says there is often more understanding of investment needs in the North of England in Asia, than in London. He discusses why Westminster thinking must be turned on its head.

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Bob Blackman, Conservative MP for Harrow East tells Bloomberg Westminster's Caroline Hepker that the government's new planning rules which favour developers, puts local communities on the back foot.

And U.K. voters don't get why pubs need to close in order to reopen schools. This and other coronavirus troubles for Boris Johnson's government with James Johnson, founder of JL Partners and former advisor to Prime Minister Theresa May.

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