Starmer’s ‘Project Chainsaw’: the NHS, Whitehall, welfare
Political Fix14 Maalis 2025

Starmer’s ‘Project Chainsaw’: the NHS, Whitehall, welfare

“The world’s largest quango is scrapped” – that’s how the government framed the abolition of the NHS management body this week. It was the latest target in Sir Keir Starmer’s so-called ‘Project Chainsaw’, his plan to streamline the state. Host Lucy Fisher is joined by FT colleagues Stephen Bush, Robert Shrimsley and Anna Gross to discuss the prime minister’s reforms and whether they will drive any improvement in public services. The team also discusses the Labour rebellion brewing over welfare cuts, plus the latest dramatic developments engulfing the Reform party.


Follow Lucy on Bluesky or X: @lucyfisher.bsky.social, @LOS_Fisher, Stephen @stephenkb.bsky.social, @stephenkb, Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social, @robertshrimsley, Anna annasophiegross.bsky.social @AnnaSophieGross


Want more? Free links:


Starmer to abolish NHS England


Starmer to target ‘cottage industry of blockers’ in overhaul of regulators


Sir Keir Starmer suffers cabinet uprising over UK spending cuts


Musk expresses support for rival to Reform UK as feud in Farage’s party intensifies


Sign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award.


Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and mixed by Breen Turner. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Jaksot(574)

Third defeat for Theresa May's deal, the PM vows to bow out

Third defeat for Theresa May's deal, the PM vows to bow out

Theresa May brought her Brexit deal for a third vote this week. Once again it failed to get through. Where does this leave Brexit? Is the UK heading for a permanent customs union with the EU? Will MPs...

30 Maalis 201939min

Brexit is officially delayed, May changes her tune and no-deal chances rise

Brexit is officially delayed, May changes her tune and no-deal chances rise

After a tumultuous week in Westminster, Britain's departure from the EU has been delayed until at least April 12, while Theresa May tried to pin the blame on parliament for all the chaos in an extraor...

23 Maalis 201940min

Theresa May's Brexit deal fails again, total chaos ensues

Theresa May's Brexit deal fails again, total chaos ensues

The prime minister brokered legal tweaks to her Brexit deal and brought it back for MPs to vote on. It failed to pass once again. We discuss all the Commons votes against a no-deal exit, in favour of ...

16 Maalis 201937min

Back to Brexit stalemate and tackling knife crime

Back to Brexit stalemate and tackling knife crime

Geoffrey Cox spent much of this week in Brussels but failed to negotiate any kind of Brexit breakthrough. With another meaningful vote due next week, does the prime minister have any hope of breaking ...

9 Maalis 201935min

Theresa May offers Brexit delay, Labour battles over second referendum and anti-Semitism

Theresa May offers Brexit delay, Labour battles over second referendum and anti-Semitism

Theresa May survived another week of crucial Brexit votes, but only by pledging to delay leaving the EU to avoid a crash exit. What will happen over the next fortnight? And is the UK making any progre...

2 Maalis 201935min

The Independent Group emerges

The Independent Group emerges

It was a huge week in Westminster as eight Labour MPs broke away to form the Independent Group of MPs along with three Conservatives. Where might the group go next? Will it become a party? And will th...

23 Helmi 201923min

Humiliation again for Theresa May, a new centrist party begins to emerge

Humiliation again for Theresa May, a new centrist party begins to emerge

The prime minister was defeated in another meaningless vote in the House of Commons this week, where does this leave her talks with the EU? We also discuss the rumoured plans for Labour MPs to break a...

16 Helmi 201936min

May enters Brexit hell and Labour finally budges

May enters Brexit hell and Labour finally budges

The prime minister returned to Brussels this week, only to be told once again that the Brexit withdrawal agreement would not happen. When/if might a breakthrough emerge? Plus, Labour shifts its Brexit...

9 Helmi 201934min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-podme-livebox
viisupodi
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
otetaan-yhdet
rss-asiastudio
rikosmyytit
rss-mina-ukkola
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
linda-maria
the-ulkopolitist
radio-antro
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
rss-kuka-mina-olen