Logo
    Search

    Podcast Summary

    • Search for missing submersible and wage penaltiesFormer chancellor defended austerity measures at COVID inquiry, while several firms were penalized for minimum wage violations, impacting over 63,000 workers and costing nearly £5 million. Labour plans to appoint numerous peers to the House of Lords.

      The search for a missing submersible near the Titanic wreck continues, with locating the vessel being a significant first step. Meanwhile, several firms, including WH Smith, Marks and Spencer, and Argos, have been penalized for not paying the minimum wage, with over 63,000 workers owed nearly £5 million. At the COVID inquiry, former chancellor George Osborne defended his austerity measures, but experts argue that underfunding in areas like local government and public health weakened the response to the pandemic. Lastly, Labour is reportedly planning to appoint numerous peers to the House of Lords.

    • UK Labour Party Leader Wants to Expand House of Lords and Maro Itoje Launches Charity for Nigerian Children's EducationSir Keir Starmer acknowledges expanding House of Lords for policy passage, Maro Itoje launches charity for Nigerian kids' education, Facebook Marketplace faces criticism, and businesses optimize with services like 1800flowers.com and stamps.com

      Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Labour Party leader, recognizes the need to expand the size of the House of Lords in order to pass his policies, despite his earlier pledge to abolish it. Elsewhere, England rugby union player Maro Itoje launched a charity, The Pearl Fund, to provide education to impoverished children in Nigeria. The issue of education for these children is critical, as they risk being forced into labor or begging at a young age without it. Meanwhile, Facebook Marketplace faces criticism for its handling of problem sellers and misleading descriptions, making it the most complained-about online retail platform according to Trading Standards. Lastly, businesses can increase efficiency with services like 1800flowers.com and stamps.com, which help streamline processes and save on shipping costs.

    • Free trial with added incentives from Stamps.comTry Stamps.com for a month with free postage and a free digital scale, no long-term commitment required.

      Stamps.com is offering a 4-week trial for new customers with additional perks. These perks include free postage and a free digital scale. What makes this attractive is that there are no long-term commitments or contracts required. This means that users can try out the service for a month and decide if they want to continue using it without feeling obligated to commit to a longer term agreement. This is a great opportunity for individuals or businesses who need to send mail regularly but are hesitant about making a long-term commitment to a postage service. Overall, Stamps.com's offer of a free trial with added incentives and no long-term contracts is a compelling proposition for those looking for a flexible and convenient postage solution.

    Recent Episodes from Times news briefing

    Related Episodes

    War in Israel, and an interview with Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves

    War in Israel, and an interview with Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves

    The News Agents at the Labour Party Conference: Day 1

    The Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves joins The News Agents following her speech in Liverpool.

    We discuss her plans to tax tech firms, her unwillingness to tax the rich and the Labour members carrying Palestinian flags outside the conference centre.

    We also talk about the war that has begun formally today in Israel, after Hamas carried out a series of terror attacks this weekend.

    Editor: Tom Hughes

    Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

    Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

    Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

    Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

    Video Producer: Rory Symon

    You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

    Spot the Difference: Labour and Tory Special – with guest Marina Purkiss

    Spot the Difference: Labour and Tory Special – with guest Marina Purkiss
    Labour might be leading the polls over the terrible Tories, but maybe the two are more similar than most of us think. Have we seen the return of 1950s ‘Butskellism’? With that in mind, a new report suggests that most millennials hate the Tories (shock), does that mean they’ll vote Labour though? And Phillip Schofield’s been plastered across the news, is this the end of his TV career? Or is there a way back from TV cancel culture for disgraced celebs? That’s Oh God, What Now? with special guest Marina Purkiss.  Hear our new paper review podcast PAPER CUTS here. https://listen.podmasters.uk/PCogwn “I’m a bit concerned that to try to win back these red wall voters Starmer’s moving more to this centre-right ground.” – Marina Purkiss “I think the main dividing line at the next election will be, get the Tories out.” – Marina Purkiss “Young people need something to cling onto, and no one is offering them anything.” Marina Purkiss “The Labour party has rarely been one of ‘let’s kick the table over’.” – Alex Andreou “If you’re backing out of promises that would’ve benefitted them, you’re missing out on a massive trick there.” – Marina Purkiss www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Alex Andreou, Ros Taylor and guest Marina Purkiss. Art: James Parrett. Theme music by Cornershop. Producer: Alex Rees and Chris Jones. Audio production by Alex Rees. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Will Labour unity break over Israel-Hamas?

    Will Labour unity break over Israel-Hamas?

    Nine days after saying on LBC that “Israel has that right” to cut of water and power off to Gaza, Keir Starmer explained that this wasn't what he meant. This has caused quite a lot of damage, with 23 Labour councillors resigning and over 150 Muslim Labour Councillors now petitioning Labour’s leadership to support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.


    Could Israel and Palestine prove just as much a problem for Keir Starmer as it did for Jeremy Corbyn?


    Joining Anoosh Chakelian in the studio is deputy politics editor, Rachel Wearmouth, and politics and policy correspondent, Zoë Grunëwald.


    Subscribers get ad-free access to all our podcasts via the New Statesman app. Download it in the iOS app store or the Google Play store.


    Download the app:

    iOS: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/new-statesman-magazine/id610498525

    Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.progressivemediagroup.newstatesman&hl=en_GB&gl=US


    Subscribe to the New Statesman from £1 per week:

    https://newstatesman.com/podcastoffer


    Sign up to our daily politics email:

    https://morningcall.substack.com/



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


    Starmer's speech: has he done enough to win a majority?

    Starmer's speech: has he done enough to win a majority?

    The News Agents at the Labour Party Conference: Day 2

    If Sir Keir Starmer was looking for a bit of sparkle today in his Leader's speech he shouldn’t have worried: it came to find him in the shape of a glitter-throwing protestor before he’d had the chance to say a word.

    Undeterred, he took to shirt sleeves and spelled out a working class mantra of aspiration and renewal for a country on its knees. Was it enough?

    Editor: Tom Hughes

    Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

    Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

    Planning Producer: Alex Barnett

    Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

    Video Producer: Rory Symon

    You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents".

    Keir Starmer's Gaza problem

    Keir Starmer's Gaza problem

    While an SNP motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza will be debated in the House of Commons today, all eyes are on Labour. The party has tiptoed around a position on the war in Gaza since the terrorist attacks of October 7th, causing divisions among MPs and supporters. Will Keir Starmer’s eleventh hour call for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” be enough to see off another rebellion and hold his party together in an election year? 

    This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes

    Guests:

    • Geraldine Scott, senior political correspondent, The Times, and
    • Ryan Watts, Data Editor, The Times.

    Host: Manveen Rana.

    Clips: NBC News, Sky News, Parliament, Mayor of London, BBC News, LBC, AFP, Times Radio.

    Further listening: Keir Starmer’s Blairite playbook

    Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

    Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'



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