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)

Troubling times in Salzburg and previewing Labour conference

Troubling times in Salzburg and previewing Labour conference

The British prime minister's hopes of a Brexit breakthrough at a summit this week were dealt a heavy blow. Where does this leave negotiations with the EU and the prospects for a deal this autumn? Plus...

22 Syys 201830min

Leadership plots, Tory wars and John McDonnell's plans for workers

Leadership plots, Tory wars and John McDonnell's plans for workers

Chatter about a leadership challenge against Theresa May has abounded this week, but is it all talk and no trousers? Plus we discuss John McDonnell's speech to the TUC's annual conference and his plan...

15 Syys 201831min

Labour moves on anti-Semitism and Brexit deadlock continues

Labour moves on anti-Semitism and Brexit deadlock continues

Westminster returned from from its summer break this week and we discuss the two main stories that still dominate the headlines: Labour's travails with anti-Semitism and the government's lack of progr...

8 Syys 201833min

Summer interview special: Peter Mandelson

Summer interview special: Peter Mandelson

Sebastian Payne speaks to the former New Labour minister about his efforts to halt Brexit through another referendum, Theresa May's efforts to strike a withdrawal deal with the EU, his views on Jeremy...

1 Syys 201837min

Summer interview special: Nick Boles

Summer interview special: Nick Boles

In our fourth summer special, we speak to the Conservative MP for Grantham and Stamford in Lincolnshire about why, as a former Remainer, he is happy to get on with Brexit, how the House of Commons wil...

25 Elo 201832min

Summer interview special: Lisa Nandy

Summer interview special: Lisa Nandy

In our third episode, we visit the town of Wigan in the north-west of England to speak to its Labour MP. We discuss what should be done to help boost Britain’s provincial towns, why the party is falli...

18 Elo 201834min

Summer interview special: Jacob Rees-Mogg

Summer interview special: Jacob Rees-Mogg

In the second of this series, the Financial Times speaks to the Conservative MP for North East Somerset and ardent Brexit supporter. We discuss whether a ‘no-deal’ exit from the EU could be a good out...

11 Elo 201834min

Summer interview specials: Liz Truss

Summer interview specials: Liz Truss

Westminster is in recess, so this summer we are interviewing interesting MPs who will be setting the political agenda for the rest of the year. First up is Liz Truss, Conservative MP for south-west No...

4 Elo 201831min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-podme-livebox
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
otetaan-yhdet
rss-asiastudio
rikosmyytit
viisupodi
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-mina-ukkola
the-ulkopolitist
radio-antro
io-techin-tekniikkapodcast
popcorn-with-esko
rss-polikulaari-humanisti-vastaa-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
rss-50100-podcast