Reality Check

A report has suggested that white working class children are being failed by the education system that is 'not serving in [their] interests'. Burnham blames a lack of aspiration – but does this issue, like many others in Britain really stem from an overbearing state? Michael Simmons is joined by the Head of Communications and External Affairs at Onward, Joanna Marchong to discuss educational outcomes between ethnicities and the private school VAT charge.This episode is brought to you by Alliance Witan investment trust. To learn more about the trust and how we’re helping investors find their comfort zone, please visit Alliance Witan (ALW) | Investment Trust.

Andy Burnham has laid out his plans to 'level up the North'. Something we have heard with almost every Prime Minister pledge to do – but with very little clarity over how this will be achieved and what success looks like. It's true there is a clear divide when it comes to economic outcomes between London and the North. Michael Simmons takes a look at the data and discusses a left-wing levelling up agenda with Ed Shackle Head of Qualitative Research at Public First and Neil O'Brien, Conservative MP and former minister for Levelling up.This episode is brought to you by Artemis Fund Managers, for more information on our fund range please click here https://www.artemisfunds.com/ .

With Andy Burnham set to replace Keir Starmer in Downing Street, Michael Simmons and John O’Neill take a look at what kind of economic agenda agenda may lie ahead, who the runners and riders are for Chancellor and why Labour’s economic policies have been so unpopular.This episode is brought to you by Artemis Fund Managers, for more information on our fund range please click here https://www.artemisfunds.com/ .

Keir Starmer has announced his plans to ban social media for under 16s in Britain. The ban is due to come in early next year and include all main social media apps. Age-recognition and digital ID checks will be used to keep children away from social media. But when it comes to child safety, will it make a difference? And what are the unintended consequences of a ban? Michael Simmons challenges The Spectator's John Power.This episode is brought to you by Artemis Fund Managers, for more information on our fund range please click here https://www.artemisfunds.com/ .

For years, Pride month has been an unmissable fixture in the corporate calendar. But recently, many of the world’s biggest brands appear to be quietly backing away – toning down campaigns, dropping rainbow logos and retreating from the culture wars. The Spectator’s economics editor Michael Simmons looks at why corporate Pride is losing its commercial appeal. Is this a genuine shift in public opinion, a fear of consumer backlash, or simply a case of companies deciding that activism no longer pays? Brendan O’Neill also joins the show to discuss what the retreat from Pride says about business, politics and the changing culture of corporate virtue-signalling.This episode is brought to you by Artemis Fund Managers, for more information on our fund range please click here https://www.artemisfunds.com/ .

Nicola Sturgeon has claimed she was deceived by her ex husband Peter Murrell who pled guilty having embezzled tens of thousands of pounds of SNP money. Financial infidelity has become a top reason behind couples divorces. The Times Alice Wright joins Michael Simmons on Reality Check to discuss.This episode is brought to you by Artemis Fund Managers, for more information on our fund range please click here https://www.artemisfunds.com/ .

The government have rolled back on plans to impose price caps in supermarkets. Was Reeves wrong to go after them for price gouging? Michael Simmons has the data. This episode is brought to you by Artemis Fund Managers, for more information on our fund range please click here https://www.artemisfunds.com/ .

Is the US economy immune to harm? It has been tested this year under Trump's trade tariffs, and inflation fears. Kate Andrews, former economics editor of The Spectator now opinion journalist at the Washington Post and host of the Make it Make Sense podcast returns to Spectator TV with Michael Simmons to discuss the US economy, whether Mamdani is as bad as Zack Polanski, Andrew Bailey vs Kevin Warsh the UK's growth figures.This episode is brought to you by Artemis Fund Managers, for more information on our fund range please click here https://www.artemisfunds.com/ .