Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Donald Trump has suffered a major midterm election defeat, with Democrats taking control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in a sweeping setback for the Republicans. Andrew Gilligan, Senior Fellow at Policy Exchange and former special adviser to Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, joins us to examine what went wrong for Trump, whether the result marks a turning point in American politics and what it means for the remainder of his presidency.The fallout from Shabana Mahmood’s immigration U-turn continues. An investigation has revealed that charities which campaigned against tougher settlement rules received more than £1 billion in taxpayer-funded contracts and grants. Joanna Williams, author of How Woke Won and Spectator writer, joins us to discuss the influence of these organisations, the arguments behind Mahmood’s climbdown and why she believes the impact of migration is felt most heavily by poorer communities.Meanwhile, David Blair, Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator at The Telegraph, examines how Britain has become embroiled in the slavery reparations debate. With Andy Burnham engaging Caribbean leaders over Britain’s historical role in the slave trade, is the Government opening the door to demands for compensation, and what could this mean for Britain’s relationship with the Commonwealth?And Raheem Kassam, former adviser to Nigel Farage, joins us for the latest reaction from America following the Republican defeat. What does the result mean for the MAGA movement, the future of the Republican Party and Trump’s political legacy?Donald Trump, US midterm elections 2026, Democrats, Republicans, Congress, Senate, House of Representatives, Andrew Gilligan, Shabana Mahmood, immigration U-turn, taxpayer-funded charities, Joanna Williams, migration, class, David Blair, slavery reparations, Andy Burnham, Commonwealth, Raheem Kassam, MAGA, Nigel Farage.

Shabana Mahmood has watered down key parts of her immigration overhaul following a backlash from Labour MPs and Cabinet colleagues. The Home Secretary’s original plans were expected to save taxpayers £10 billion, but exemptions for foreign care workers mean the projected savings will now be lower. Ben Brindle of Oxford University’s Migration Observatory joins us to explain what has changed, who will still face longer waits for permanent residency and what the reforms mean for Britain’s immigration system.Ben Habib, Chairman of Great British PAC, gives his verdict on the changes. Has Mahmood been forced into a major climbdown, and can Labour still deliver on its promises to reduce immigration and welfare spending?Meanwhile, Andy Burnham has announced £40 million for Caribbean infrastructure projects as he opens discussions about a formal apology for Britain’s role in the slave trade. Albie Amankona, Conservative Commentator, joins us to examine the growing reparations debate, Ed Miliband’s argument that an apology could strengthen the Commonwealth, and whether British taxpayers should be funding projects linked to historical slavery. Burnham has ruled out direct financial reparations.And could parents face criminal consequences for opposing their child’s gender transition? Stephanie Davies-Arai, Founder and Director of Transgender Trend, joins us to discuss the proposed conversion practices legislation, concerns raised by critics about parental rights and safeguarding, and the Government’s insistence that simply declining to support a child’s transition will not be criminalised.Shabana Mahmood, immigration policy, migrant settlement, indefinite leave to remain, care workers, Ben Brindle, Ben Habib, Great British PAC, Andy Burnham, slavery reparations, Caribbean, Commonwealth, Ed Miliband, Albie Amankona, conversion therapy ban, gender transition, parental rights, Stephanie Davies-Arai, Transgender Trend.

Shabana Mahmood is preparing to unveil major changes to Britain’s immigration system, but reports suggest the original crackdown could be watered down following pressure from Labour MPs and unions. Guy Dampier, Senior Researcher on Nationhood at the Prosperity Institute, and immigration lawyer Harjap Singh Bhangal join us to examine whether Labour is weakening its promises to bring immigration down.The debate also turns to the rights of migrants working illegally in Britain, after reports that small boat arrivals could use Angela Rayner’s strengthened employment laws to sue their employers. What protections should workers have, and what happens when immigration enforcement and employment rights collide?Meanwhile, Andy Burnham has opened the door to a formal apology for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, as Caribbean leaders renew demands for reparations during the King’s visit to Antigua. Dr Rakib Ehsan, Social Policy Analyst, joins us to examine the growing debate over Britain’s history, national identity and whether today’s taxpayers should be expected to pay for historical injustices.And Sadiq Khan faces questions over thousands of speeding fines issued after a disputed change to the speed limit on the A20. Thomas Turrell, London Assembly Conservatives’ transport spokesman, joins us to discuss allegations of a cover-up, the legal challenge surrounding the fines and whether drivers were unfairly penalised.Shabana Mahmood, immigration crackdown, legal migration, small boats, illegal working, Angela Rayner, workers’ rights, Guy Dampier, Harjap Singh Bhangal, Andy Burnham, slavery reparations, King Charles, Commonwealth, national identity, Dr Rakib Ehsan, Sadiq Khan, speeding fines, A20, Transport for London, Thomas Turrell.

Britain is being warned to prepare for a decade of economic pain. The Institute for Fiscal Studies says the 2020s are on course to be the worst decade for household income growth on record, while the Resolution Foundation forecasts typical non-pensioner households will be £1,050 worse off by 2029. Lindsay Judge, Research Director at the Resolution Foundation, joins us to break down the figures, the impact of John Healey’s Autumn Budget and what it means for families already struggling with the cost of living.Former Conservative adviser Leon Emirali gives his verdict on the Government’s economic strategy. With higher borrowing costs, pressure on public services and household incomes under strain, are Labour’s plans enough to turn the economy around? And can Andy Burnham reduce the ballooning welfare bill after saying ministers want to bring it down as quickly as possible, without resorting to what he calls crude cuts?And is the online manosphere becoming a public health threat? Maeve Halligan, founding president of the Cambridge University Society of Women, joins us following calls for misogynistic influencers and harmful online content to be treated in a similar way to the tobacco industry. Where should the line be drawn between protecting women and girls, and freedom of speech?Living standards, cost of living, Autumn Budget 2026, John Healey, Institute for Fiscal Studies, Resolution Foundation, Lindsay Judge, Leon Emirali, Andy Burnham, welfare spending, benefits, Labour government, manosphere, misogyny, online influencers, social media, women’s safety, freedom of speech.

Chancellor John Healey has delivered his first Autumn Budget under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, promising to ease the cost of living, support British businesses and strengthen national security. But with rising energy costs, pressure on public finances and difficult choices over taxation and spending, does this Budget offer real solutions or simply temporary relief?Talk presenter Peter Cardwell joins us to break down the biggest announcements, who stands to benefit, who could lose out and what the measures mean for working families, businesses and the wider economy.Defence is another major test for the Chancellor. Healey has pledged to fully fund the Defence Investment Plan, including by reprioritising spending across Whitehall, but the route to meeting NATO’s defence spending targets will not be set out until next year’s spending review. Retired Major General Julian Free MBE, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of the Defence portfolio at the University of Lincoln, joins us to examine whether Britain is investing enough in its armed forces and what the decisions mean for national security.Fuel duty is also in the spotlight. The government has extended the temporary 5p-a-litre fuel duty cut and freeze until July 2027. Howard Cox, founder of FairFuel UK, says motorists need more than a freeze and is calling for further action on fuel taxes and pump prices. Is the Chancellor doing enough for drivers, hauliers and small businesses?And former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell gives his verdict on the Budget from the Labour left. He has welcomed some cost-of-living support but warned that the measures offer only limited relief, arguing that the government must go further on investment, low pay, poverty and public services. Can Healey deliver lasting economic change, or will households be left waiting for more?John Healey Budget, Autumn Budget 2026, Andy Burnham, cost of living, taxation, public spending, defence spending, NATO, British Armed Forces, Julian Free, fuel duty, petrol prices, Howard Cox, FairFuel UK, John McDonnell, Labour government, British economy, national security.

Charlie Rowley sits in for Ian Collins. Is Britain ready for a crisis? Ted Jeffery, co-founder of Defence On The Brink, discusses emergency survival kits and threats to undersea cables. Then Baroness Claire Fox examines white working-class children’s prospects and the Commonwealth chief's call for a royal apology over slavery. Plus, Charlie Rae, former royal editor of The Sun, discusses reports that Thomas Markle Sr. is being investigated over a vast stash of child sex images after being reported to police by his own son.