Britain: a beacon of economic stability?
Political Fix17 Okt 2025

Britain: a beacon of economic stability?

The countdown is on: Chancellor Rachel Reeves has just six weeks to finalise her Autumn Budget before the November 26 deadline. This week, she was in Washington DC for the annual meeting of the IMF, where she hinted at tax rises for the rich, while pinning some blame for Britain’s economic problems on her predecessors. The British public are not likely to love the chancellor’s efforts to fill the projected £22bn hole, but who will they hold responsible?


Host George Parker is joined by deputy opinion editor Miranda Green, associate editor and columnist Stephen Bush, and the FT’s economics commentator Chris Giles for a deep dive into the UK’s public finances, and to explain why the China spy case roiling Westminster is all about economics.


Follow George on: @georgewparker.bsky.social or @GeorgeWParker; Chris on @chrisgiles.ft.com or @ChrisGiles_; Stephen on @stephenkb and Miranda on @greenmirandahere.bsky.social or @greenmiranda

Want more?

Clear visions for tax reform exist — Reeves just needs to back one

How Brexit drained the Tories’ talent pool

No need for a moral panic about the welfare system

Letter: Only a strong economy can address Britain’s worklessness crisis

Rachel Reeves suggests spending cuts and tax rises on way

Join Chris Giles and FT colleagues Katie Martin and Claire Jones in conversation with former Fed vice-chair Lael Brainard and Fidelity’s Salman Ahmed on October 23 1200 GMT for an exclusive subscriber webinar Markets on edge: central banks, bonds and the risks ahead. Register now and put your questions directly to the panel at ft.com/edge

And click here to sign up for Chris Giles’ newsletter on Central Banks.

Plus 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 analysis. Get 30 days free.

Our email address is politicalfix@ft.com

Political Fix was presented by George Parker and produced by Ethan Plotkin. The executive producer is Flo Phillips. Original music and mix by Breen Turner. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Manuela Saragosa.

Clip from Sky News

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Episoder(573)

Trump and Reform: Is US-style populism set to sweep the UK?

Trump and Reform: Is US-style populism set to sweep the UK?

Donald Trump has stunned the world with a raft of extraordinary interventions this week, prompting Keir Starmer to keep his head down. But what happens when it’s Britain’s turn in the new US administr...

7 Feb 202543min

Growth – and damn the consequences?

Growth – and damn the consequences?

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has sought to place rocket-boosters under the UK economy this week – with a vow to prioritise growth over the environment or nimbyism. But how long will her plan take to work,...

31 Jan 202539min

Trump turbulence: How should Labour play it?

Trump turbulence: How should Labour play it?

Donald Trump returned to the White House this week, with a host of radical plans that threaten to heavily affect the UK – spanning tariffs, the Ukraine war, energy and climate policy. How should the B...

24 Jan 202538min

Reeves vs the markets

Reeves vs the markets

Turmoil in the bond markets has caused turbulence for Rachel Reeves this month, with grumbles about her performance – and that of the UK economy – growing louder. This week, Political Fix asks who’s i...

17 Jan 202543min

Musk and the new political playbook

Musk and the new political playbook

Elon Musk’s hostility towards the UK government, and Sir Keir Starmer in particular, continues to escalate – prompting concerns he’s been radicalised by his own algorithm. What’s driving the technolog...

10 Jan 202542min

2025: Labour’s year of pain?

2025: Labour’s year of pain?

After a rocky start in office for Labour, the next 12 months will prove pivotal for the UK government. Sir Keir Starmer must grapple with dismal popularity ratings, tough public finances, anaemic grow...

3 Jan 202544min

Quizmas special: Political Fix’s nerd out!

Quizmas special: Political Fix’s nerd out!

Who threatened to launch an aquatic assault on the Dutch town of Leiden? And which political candidate pledged to force water bosses to take a dip in British rivers? Find out as host Lucy Fisher puts ...

19 Des 202440min

Farage: more popular than the PM

Farage: more popular than the PM

Reform UK is now beating Labour in one pollster’s survey, while party leader Nigel Farage is Ladbrokes’ favourite to succeed Keir Starmer as the next prime minister. This week Political Fix examines w...

13 Des 202435min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
i-retten
forklart
stopp-verden
popradet
fotballpodden-2
det-store-bildet
dine-penger-pengeradet
rss-gukild-johaug
bt-dokumentar-2
hanna-de-heldige
aftenbla-bla
nokon-ma-ga
rss-ness
e24-podden
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
frokostshowet-pa-p5
chit-chat-med-helle