Our analysis of data from Reed Recruitment shows employers are offering fewer flexible and hybrid-working positions, potentially making it harder to bring people back into the job market. Tackling what the government calls 'sick note culture' and reducing the benefits bill is a key priority for the PM. Bloomberg reporter Irina Anghel walks us through the numbers. Political Editor Kitty Donaldson weighs in on the politics of the debate. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister wants to spend more on defence, but do his numbers add up? We discuss the cost of Rishi Sunak's Warsaw pledge with Ben Zaranko from the Institute for Fiscal Studies. While the PM's away, it was the turn of Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Labour's Deputy Leader Angela Rayner to fill in at PMQs, which featured jibes about living arrangements, rental market reforms and a nod to next week's local elections. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Stephen Carroll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rishi Sunak's bill calling Rwanda a safe place to send migrants is set to become law after the House of Lords passed it last night. Bloomberg's Ailbhe Rea discusses what happens next, and what the policy might actually deliver after years of wrangling. Plus, checks on the EU food goods coming into Britain are set to be imposed next week. We ask Britain's Exports Minister Lord Malcolm Offord says he's not concerned, his focus is on 'light touch' regulation to boost trade. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thames Water now says it needs to spend nearly £20 billion by 2030 on fixing the water and sewage system, but the company appears to have little prospect of being able to raise the money. Our energy and environment reporter Jess Shankleman and distressed debt reporter Lucca de Paoli unpack the latest turn in the water firm's crisis. Plus, Bloomberg Opinion Columnist Matthew Brooker joins us to discuss the questions raised about Britain's relationship with privatization. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Caroline Hepker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having helped to repel Iran's attack on Israel last weekend, we discuss the UK's initial reaction to Israel's retaliation overnight with Bloomberg's EMEA News Director Rosalind Mathieson. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says no one wants escalation, but after six months of a war in Gaza, is the conflict destined to grow? Plus, can being cool rub off? We speak to Timothy Paul, one of social media influencers who interviewed Sunak recently about why he did it and the role of TikTok in an election year. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Lizzy Burden.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UN data shows 3.2% of the global population are international migrants and in a year of global elections it's a hot political issue. Bloomberg's Senior Economy and Government Editor Alan Crawford joins us to talk through what's at stake. In the UK, much of the debate centres on the government's controversial Rwanda bill. We discuss the legislation with Jenny Jones, a Green party member of the House of Lords, and award-winning journalist Sally Hayden. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremy Hunt tells Bloomberg that interest rate cuts and an improved economic situation will help lift voters' moods ahead of a general election, adding to speculation about an autumn vote. We bring you our interview with the Chancellor, as well as the first Prime Minister's Questions after the Easter recess. Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer traded barbs over Liz Truss's book, and the Conservative party's tax-cutting plans. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Stephen Carroll. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest UK Jobs data saw unemployment jump to a six month high. Bloomberg's economics reporter Irina Anghel joins us to talk through the figures.Plus, the government has announced legislation to criminalise the creation of deepfake images and videos as part of plans to tackle violence against women. We speak to Women and Equalities Select Committee Chair, Caroline Nokes MP and feminist campaigner Patsy Stevenson about the news. Hosted by James Woolcock and Caroline Hepker.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK jets helped Israel to fend off Iran's first-ever direct attack over the weekend, but Foreign Secretary David Cameron is now urging restraint from the Israeli government in its response. We discuss the foreign policy challenges with Bloomberg Managing Editor Adam Blenford, and Julie Norman, Senior Middle East Fellow at RUSI. Any escalation in the Middle East could drive up oil prices and add to inflation here. Energy market expert Bill Farren-Price from the the Oxford Institute of Energy Studies gives us his analysis. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several banks have started offering the opportunity to bet against Thames Water's debt. It's the latest sign of an impending crisis at the UK's biggest water supplier, after it was labelled 'uninvestable' by its own shareholders. We talk through the company's options and what they could mean for customers and the government, with Bloomberg's Tasos Vossos and restructuring expert Linton Bloomberg from Reed Smith. Hosted By Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The local election campaign is in full swing, but Rishi Sunak can't escape his own splintered party, with Boris Johnson grabbing the headlines with a speech in Canada. We ask Bloomberg UK Government Reporter Ellen Milligan how it's going for the PM. Labour meanwhile are determined to stick resolutely to their message of 'no complacency'. But what would prove the polls right and be a good election result for Labour on the morning of May 3rd? We get the inside scoop on the party's thinking from Labour Together's Director of Research and polling guru, Christabel Cooper. Hosted by Caroline Hepker and Yuan Potts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meta's Nick Clegg told an event in London the social media giant isn't seeing artificial intelligence being used a on a "systemic basis" to disrupt elections arguing that the technology can be a 'sword and shield' against harmful content. We discuss the risks posted by AI and social media with our technology reporter Mark Bergen, and Keegan McBride from the Oxford Internet Institute. Plus, James Woolcock reviews Rishi Sunak's appearance on a phone-in radio show. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK's Foreign Secretary is in America to lobby for more funding for Ukraine. Our Managing Editor Brendan Scott explains Britain's changing role on the world stage and speculates how Cameron's meeting went with former president Donald Trump. Back at home, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves is also trying to raise some cash by tightening up non-dom rules. Founder of Tax Research, Richard Murphy, tells us Labour should go after small businesses and sole traders not paying their fair share. Plus, how does the economy change if the next generation are still living with their parents? Bloomberg's economy reporter Tom Rees explains. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Lizzy Burden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Stheeman has borrowed more than £3 trillion for the government in his 21 years running the Debt Management Office. He's been speaking to Bloomberg about the challenges of raising debt through a pandemic, the 2008 financial crash, and Liz Truss's premiership. Bloomberg's Alice Gledhill brings us details of her interview. Plus: the Resolution Foundation forecasts average rents will rise by 13% over the next three years. Senior economist Cara Pacitti tells us what's gone wrong in the housing market, and how it could be fixed. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Lizzy Burden.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rift has emerged in the cabinet over a plan to suspend arms sales to Israel, with Rishi Sunak and David Cameron caught between Tory factions who support or oppose the move. Over 800 lawyers and academics have signed a letter to the Prime Minister warning Britain is breaching international law by continuing to allow arms sales. One of them, human rights lawyer Michael Mansfield KC, joins us to discuss. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and James Woolcock.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new poll is predicting a Labour super-majority of over 400 seats at the next general election. YouGov's Patrick English joins us to discuss the details of their projections, and our Political Editor Kitty Donaldson brings us Westminster's reaction.Plus, financial pressure mounts on Thames Water, the UK's biggest supplier. Our reporter Eamon Farhat tells us what's at stake for the government and investors. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Lizzy Burden.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With less than a month to go until local elections in England and Wales, our UK government editor Alex Morales tells us what's at stake for the parties. Local government funding is also in focus, as some councillors call for an independent review of the system for accessing 'Levelling Up' money. Graeme Atherton from the Centre for Inequality and Levelling Up talks us through the scheme's successes and failures, while Nottingham City Labour councillor Graham Chapman shares his experience. Hosted by Yuan Potts and Stephen Carroll.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scotland's new law on hate crimes came into force this week, amid criticism from the likes of author JK Rowling. We discuss the law's expanded definition of hate speech with human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. Also in the show: our reporter Jess Shankleman updates us on a crunch week for Thames Water and its financial troubles. Plus: Tiwa Abebayo reports on issues with the government's new childcare plan. Hosted by Stephen Carroll and Yuan Potts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meg Hillier, chair of the cross-party Public Accounts Committee, is warning of spending 'Nasties' in store for the next government in a new report, Bloomberg's UK Politics Editor Alex Morales brings us the details. Meanwhile, in local government, the spending nasties might already have arrived. Mayor of Hackney Caroline Woodley tells us how she's tightening the purse-strings in her borough.Plus, John Neal CEO of Lloyd's of London discusses the insurer's latest results and more. Hosted by James Woolcock and Caroline Hepker.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two more Conservative ministers have announced they won't be contesting the next election, prompting a mini-cabinet reshuffle for Rishi Sunak. Bloomberg's Associate Editor Ailbhe Rea joins us with the details.Plus, at 28 years old Carmen Smith is the UK's youngest member of the House of Lords. The Plaid Cymru politician talks to us about youth engagement, Welsh independence, and why she wants to abolish the upper chamber. Hosted by Lizzy Burden and James Woolcock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.