Byline Times Podcast

After five more people died in the Channel attempting to cross to the UK – one of them a seven year old girl – Adrian Goldberg asks if the government’s Rwanda scheme is a humane response, and whether it will be effective. Rishi Sunak made it an article of faith to push the Rwanda Bill through parliament despite previous objections by the European Court of Human Rights . Migrants who arrive in the UK by boat will henceforth risk being sent to the East African state to have their asylum claims processed and even if they are successful, they won’t be allowed to return to the UK. 52,000 people are currently eligible for deportation under the plan, but more legal challenges can be expected. Leila Zadeh is Executive Director of Rainbow Migration and Amreen Quereshi is a Research Fellow at the IPPR.Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White. Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times. Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times.

Two MP's, Angela Rayner and Mark Menzies are embroiled in what the tabloids like to call a 'scandal'. Both deny any wrong doing.But what unites these stories - and what divides them?Adrian Goldberg talks to Byline Times political editor Adam Bienkov and John McTernan, Tony Blair’s director of political operations at Downing Street between 2005 and 2007. Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White. Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times. Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times.

Adrian Goldberg investigates Imprisonment for Public Protection jail sentences and the licensing conditions that are attached to them.He's join by Ishuba Salmon, who was spent 17 years in jail on IPP sentences; Emma McClure from SL5 legal who represented Matthew Price; and Donna Mooney from campaign group UngrIPP.

"How Brexit Wrecked The Stock Market" is the startling title of new blog by Simon Nixon, one time chief leader writer for the Times and former chief European commentator on the Wall Street journal. His Substack "The Wealth of Nations" is a must read for anyone interested in the workings of the UK economy. Simon is not kneejerk 'Remoaner'. He has recently been critical of the workings of the EU single market, for example, and his analysis of the impact of Brexit on the City of London is both thoughtful and disturbing for anyone concerned about Britain’s long term well-being. Produced by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White in Birmingham. Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times.Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times.

Amalfi Midco - parent company of the UK’s largest children's care Home provider Care Tech – has published annual accounts showing that it charged local authorities £575 million but spent £136 million of that on what it describes as ‘financial expenses’. This means at more than £1 in every £5 provided by Councils for looked after youngsters goes to servicing debts, and other finance charges. Adrian Goldberh talks to Martin Barrow, a journalist specialising in the care system, and Carolyne Willow founder director of Article 39 which fights for children's rights in institutional settings. Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg. Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times. Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times. 

Former "Observer" Editor in Chief Will Hutton talks to Adrian Goldberg about his new book "This Time No Mistakes - How To Remake Britain" (Bloomsbury) which calls for an alliance on the progressive left.Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White. Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times. Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times.

Adrian Goldberg hears from UK-based Jews saying “not in my name” in reaction to Israel’s attack on Gaza. This time – the Jews saying “not in my name” in reaction to Israel’s attack on Gaza. Emily Hilton is the UK Director of Diapora Alliance and co founder of Na'aamod: British Jews Against Occupation. Uri Agnon is an Israeli theatre maker and activist, originally from Jerusalem, now living in London. Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White. Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times. Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times.  

New official figures have revealed record sewage spills in in England’s rivers and seas…3.6 million hours of waste dumped in 2023 compared to 1.75 million hours the year before. Sewage works are sometimes overloaded during heavy downpours meaning waste sometimes legally flows out untreated but these occasions should be kept to a minimum. This all begs questions about the regulation our privatised water companies who paid out £1.4 billion to shareholders last year, but are now seeking an additional £10bn from customers to deal with sewage. Adrian Goldberg hears from Charles Watson, founder of the charity River Action and Johnbosco Nwogbo, from the anti privatisation campaign group We Own It. Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg. Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times. Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times.

New UK government figures have revealed the sharpest increase in absolute poverty in the UK for more than 30 years. According to official statistics, 600,000 extra people came into this category last year. Rising energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are partly to blame, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation the trend has been getting worse for decades. Their most recent report published in January outlined how current levels of poverty are around 50% higher than they were in the 1970s – before Margaret Thatcher came to powe. Adrian Goldberg hears from Joe Elliott, analysis manager at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and Jospeh Howes, from Chief Exec of Buttle UK, which provides grants for children and young people in crisis. He is also Chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition.Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg. Funded by subscriptions to the Byline Times. Made by We Bring Audio for Byline Times