Talking Politics

Home Sec Shabana Mahmood: 'Illegal migration is tearing our country apart'

It is about to get a lot harder to claim asylum in Britain. The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced significant changes to the UK's immigration system - the biggest, the government claims, of the modern era. She insists they will 'unite a divided country', but denies playing a political game to gain support from Reform voters.  Robert sat down with the Home Secretary to dig into the plans, how they will work in practice, and whether they risk another major rebellion within the Labour party. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

Health Secretary forced to deny he wants the top job after Downing Street rumours swirl

This week on Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and Robert Peston analyse the rumours of a coup to oust Sir Keir Starmer. In an extraordinary 24 hours, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting is forced to deny on the record that he wants the top job. And the Prime Minister has had to say he will fight any leadership challenge. Also, what next for the BBC after the Director General resigns and Donald Trump threatens to sue? Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

Will Budget tax rises WRECK trust in Labour? We asked its deputy leader

Rachel Reeves has, once again, said it without really saying it: Brace yourselves for tax rises. In an unusual pre-budget speech today, the Chancellor said she would "make the choices necessary” as speculation mounts that she is preparing to raise income tax to help fill a gap in the public finances. In her first in-depth interview since becoming Labour's deputy leader, Tom and Robert are joined by Lucy Powell to discuss whether the Labour 'brand' could be fatally hurt by this decision - and what it does to public trust in politics.  She says the government must 'tread carefully' when it comes to issues that threaten to undermine public trust. They also discuss how Labour can turn the tide on Nigel Farage - and why she believes Labour is 'ceding the agenda' to Reform UK. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

Why Rachel Reeves is likely to raise income tax to fill Budget black hole

In this episode of Talking Politics, Tom Bradby and political editor Robert Peston analyse the Chancellor's dwindling options for her upcoming budget and predict the impact of the decisions she might make. They discuss how Rachel Reeves will fill that multi-billion-pound hole in the country's finances, whether she will increase income tax despite previous promises not to, and how she can hold onto the country's highest tax bracket. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com

David Lammy: We can't let 'hooligans and fascists' appropriate the British flag

Robert is joined by the Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who says he wants his children to feel "confident" in the UK and England flags.  The Deputy PM - and Justice Secretary - claimed the flag was being appropriated by the far-right. He also spoke about a new AI tool being used in the justice system to help transcribe interviews. And he said it was "right" that MPs scrutinise Prince Andrew's living arrangements. Got a question for the team? Email talkingpolitics@itv.com