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Coffee House Shots
Iran: has Starmer alienated Britain's allies?
As the conflict in the Middle East escalates, the British government continues to face questions about its response. Was the UK too slow to act, and if so – why? Tim Shipman reveals in the Spectator today that Keir Starmer was initially minded to approve American use of British bases but was persuaded not to by other figures, including Ed Miliband. How much damage has this done with the Americans and also wider European allies? Defence Secretary John Healey has landed in Cyprus today on a damage-limitation mission – or in a show of strength, depending on your viewpoint. Has Starmer been weakened by these events?
Plus – Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has revealed further asylum reforms. Will the reforms neutralise the issue of immigration for voters?
Tim Shipman and James Heale join Patrick Gibbons to discuss.
Produced by Patrick Gibbons.
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Goodbye to hardline immigration reforms
15:51|Shabana Mahmood has unveiled her long-awaited reforms to immigration rules, including on indefinite leave to remain, and with them the partial climbdown briefed over the past few days. Noa Hoffman is joined by Tim Shipman and James Heale to examine what has and has not changed in the new plans.Produced by Henry Lloyd
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 01/11/2026
13:42|Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.The Budget is here. And the prime minister is open to an apology for slavery.
Can Netanyahu cling on? Inside Israel’s election deadlock
20:17|In this Saturday edition of Coffee House Shots, James Heale is joined by Noa Hoffman, who has been reporting on the election from Israel, and former Foreign Office special adviser Ben Judah to unpack the results. They discuss the historic turnout among Arab Israeli voters, the growing influence of ultra-Orthodox parties and why, despite the failures of October 7, Netanyahu continues to command support.Plus: could an unlikely alliance between Jewish and Arab parties reshape Israeli politics? Produced by Abigail Brierley
The OBR's verdict on Healey
27:47|John Healey’s budget on Wednesday contained 98 measures, the most since 2010, and yet the OBR appears to be questioning the extent of his £15 billion in headroom. Tim Shipman speaks to the OBR’s David Miles about a tax take heading for a post-war high, the cuts pencilled in for the end of the parliament, and why, by his reckoning, Britain is 25% poorer than it expected to be in 2008.Produced by Henry Lloyd
The Spectator's post-Budget briefing
29:17|The Spectator’s editor Michael Gove, political editor Tim Shipman, economics editor Michael Simmons, economist and CEO of the Great British Business Council Catherine McBride and Harry Bell, director of financial planning at Raymond James, will give their insights into the autumn Budget, just hours after it is announced.
Healey's 'breathing space' budget – was that it?
12:34|Chancellor John Healey has just delivered his first Budget of the Burnham premiership – but has he done enough to turn the economy around?In this special edition of Coffee House Shots, Economics Editor Michael Simmons and Deputy Political Editor James Heale unpack the Budget, from £100 energy payments and downgraded growth forecasts to what this means for Britain’s banks.But is the Chancellor offering households genuine breathing space? And with the markets barely reacting post Budget, has Labour missed its chance to make a bold economic statement?Plus: what does the Budget mean for the prospect of an early election next spring?Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Abigail Brierley.
Kwasi Kwarteng: what could go wrong for Burnham's budget
19:43|Former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng joins Tim Shipman and James Heale to discuss the challenges facing the government ahead of tomorrow’s Budget. How close is the relationship between Number 10 and Number 11? And how much influence has Andy Burnham had on the Chancellor’s plans?How are Labour MPs feeling about a Chancellor they see as short on imagination? Plus, how should the Conservatives respond to the Budget – and what does Kwarteng make of Liz Truss’s new book?Produced by Abigail Brierley.
Burnham's first budget – trick or treat?
15:42|Budget week is finally here but it's also the week of Hallowe'en so Patrick Gibbons asks James Heale and Michael Simmons: will Burnham's first budget be one of tricks or treats? There have been a drip-feed of announcements over the weekend, from pensions to rough sleeping, so what have we learnt about the Budget on Wednesday – and about Burnhamism more generally? Plus: a sign of hope or the wrong message – we discuss whether John Healey should drink at the despatch box.You can catch the Spectator's livestream events on Wednesday, following the Budget, at spectator.co.uk/tvProduced by Patrick Gibbons.
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 25/10/2026
15:22|Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.The Budget is fast approaching, and Andy Burnham wants to talk about freedom of movement.