Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

Andy Burnham is reportedly considering an early election as he looks for a mandate for higher taxes, with claims of growing concern over the state of the public finances. We examine proposals for a potential £14 billion capital gains tax increase and what higher taxes could mean for businesses, investors and households.Andrew Allison, Head of Campaigns at Popular Conservatism, Dale Vince, Founder of Ecotricity and a Labour donor, and Kevin Byrne OBE, Founder of Checkatrade, join the debate over Burnham’s tax plans, the economy and the future direction of British politics.We also examine the latest figures showing migrant households receiving a record £12 billion in Universal Credit. Guy Dampier, Senior Researcher on Nationhood at the Prosperity Institute, discusses immigration, benefits and the impact of migrant households on Britain’s welfare system.Andy Burnham, capital gains tax, Labour, early election, public finances, UK economy, taxation, Universal Credit, migrant households, benefits, immigration, British politics.

With the Conservatives struggling to rebuild after years of electoral turmoil, Oscar Reddrop, former No.10 Adviser, joins us to ask whether the party can claw its way back — and whether there is still a future for the Tories as the right of British politics fragments.We look at Andy Burnham’s continued popularity, whether other parties can seriously challenge Labour, and whether the Conservatives and Reform could ever unite the right. We also examine claims that Burnham has borrowed policies from Keir Starmer’s previous survival plan, despite promising a “new path for Britain”.Giles Dilnot, Editor of ConservativeHome, joins the debate on the future of the Conservative Party, Burnham’s political appeal and what the Tories need to do to win back voters.And with Burnham reaffirming his commitment to reaching net zero by 2050, Ben Pile, Co-Founder of Climate Debate UK, examines the future of Britain’s net zero strategy and whether the economic and environmental case for the policy stands up.Conservatives, Tory Party, Reform UK, Andy Burnham, Keir Starmer, Labour, British politics, unite the right, net zero, climate policy, Conservative Party, UK politics.

Piddington: Is this the turning point on migration? Villagers in Piddington are mounting a growing revolt over plans to house migrants in their community, with campaigners warning that the fightback could spread across the country. Reform and the Conservatives have backed calls for a local referendum, while residents are demanding answers over the impact of migrant accommodation on their communities.Charlie Rowley, former Conservative Special Adviser, joins us to discuss the growing anger in Piddington and whether this could mark a wider turning point in Britain’s immigration debate.Joy Morrissey MP, Shadow Minister for Women & Equalities, examines concerns raised by local women about the proposed migrant camp, including claims that female Labour MPs have failed to respond to residents asking for help. Should women living near migrant accommodation have greater protection and a stronger voice in decisions affecting their communities?We also discuss whether the Piddington campaign could become a national movement, and what it means for Reform, the Conservatives, Labour and the future of Britain’s asylum policy.Finally, Alan Miller, co-founder of the Together Declaration, joins us to discuss proposals for digital ID checks for pubgoers buying alcohol. Would digital ID make the system safer, or is Britain heading towards unnecessary surveillance and restrictions on everyday life?Piddington, migrant camps, immigration, asylum seekers, migrant accommodation, Reform UK, Conservatives, Labour, women’s safety, ECHR, digital ID, pubs, alcohol and British politics.

Reform Conference Special: Can Farage really deliver? Peter Cardwell hosts. Reform UK is gathering for its conference amid fresh controversy over claims the party breached foreign donor rules, with aides standing down as questions mount over its finances and internal discipline.Alex Deane, political commentator, examines the latest Reform scandal and the growing questions around the party’s funding, as Nigel Farage prepares to make the case that Reform is ready for government.Farage is expected to promise to declare a national emergency on his first day as Prime Minister, sack ministers who fail to deliver and stop the boats within 100 days. We examine whether Reform’s plans to tackle illegal immigration, slash benefits and cut taxes are actually achievable.Duncan Barkes, Talk presenter and host of Prick With a Fork, joins us from the Reform conference to bring us the atmosphere, arguments and personalities on the ground.Alex Phillips, Talk presenter, also joins us for our Reform Conference Special Part 1, ahead of the second part of the conference coverage on the show that follows.Is Reform genuinely ready to govern, or are the latest funding allegations exposing a party that still has serious growing pains?Reform UK, Reform conference, Nigel Farage, Reform scandal, foreign donations, foreign funding, political donations, funding rules, national emergency, stop the boats, immigration, benefits, tax cuts, Reform government and British politics.

Is more public ownership the answer to Britain’s economic problems? Andy Burnham is calling for greater public control of key parts of the economy, arguing that a bigger role for the state is necessary to deliver growth. But would more public ownership actually improve Britain’s economy, or simply leave taxpayers picking up the bill?David Buik, financial adviser and markets commentator at Aquis Exchange, examines Burnham’s economic agenda and what greater state intervention could mean for investment, businesses, taxpayers and Britain’s already stretched public finances.Fraser Myers, Deputy Editor of Spiked, joins us to debate Burnham’s push for more public ownership and whether Labour’s economic direction represents a return to the politics of the big state.We also examine the latest Conservative shadow cabinet reshuffle. With Kemi Badenoch attempting to rebuild the party and put her stamp on the Conservatives, which figures have been promoted, who has been pushed aside, and can the Tories finally find the ruthlessness needed to take on Reform UK?Jake Wallis Simons, author and columnist, joins us to discuss the reshuffle and his argument that Kemi Badenoch needs to show the ruthlessness required to revive the Conservative Party.Andy Burnham, public ownership, nationalisation, state control, British economy, economic growth, taxpayers, Labour, Conservatives, Kemi Badenoch, Tory reshuffle, Reform UK and British politics.

Reform UK is calling for restrictions on voting rights for people who cannot speak English, while Kemi Badenoch has vowed to deport all illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, Green Party gains in Dover highlight how a divided right-wing vote could benefit the Greens.

For years, experts have warned about the impact social media can have on young minds. Now, Big Tech is facing the consequences. Meta has agreed to an $18 billion settlement over lawsuits involving Facebook and Instagram, leading to new limits on screen time for millions of teens.Ian Collins is joined by tech journalist Guy Cocker to discuss the issue, followed by child safeguarding consultant and former detective Jonathan Taylor, who spent 15 years investigating child abuse cases, to further assess the dangers of children being exposed to social media.Later, Ian is joined by Ryan Shorthouse, Founder and Chair of Bright Blue, to discuss a leading think tank's suggestion that Andy Burnham should start charging pensioners National Insurance, arguing that it is the fairest way to protect working people from further tax hikes.

Is Britain covering up the true scale of migrant crime? Victims are demanding answers as claims emerge of a migrant crime wave being hidden from the public. We examine the latest allegations and the growing political pressure to publish more data on crimes committed by foreign nationals.Orla Minihane, from Restore Britain and a member of Pink Ladies, discusses the campaign for greater transparency around migrant crime and the impact of immigration on communities. Laila Cunningham, Reform UK’s Mayoral Candidate for London, joins us at 13:40 to discuss the issue and the findings from the latest undercover investigation into the Channel crossings.We also look at the Talk undercover documentary, following the extraordinary investigation in which a journalist posed as a migrant and crossed the Channel in a dinghy, uncovering claims that French police were giving people smugglers lifts back towards migrant camps.Maurice Cousins, Campaign Director at Net Zero Watch, examines the growing cost of Britain’s pursuit of net zero. With claims that the drive has failed to reduce household energy bills and warnings that households could face hundreds of pounds in additional costs, is net zero making energy more expensive for ordinary families?Finally, Nuriyah Khan, broadcaster and podcast host, discusses Labour’s decision to open the door to a potential ban on cousin marriage. What is driving the debate, and could legislation restricting cousin marriage have wider consequences for British society?Migrant crime, immigration, small boats, Channel crossings, undercover investigation, Reform UK, London, net zero, energy bills, climate policy, cousin marriage, Labour and British politics.

Talk International Editor Isabel Oakeshott reveals the extraordinary undercover operation arranged by Talk which saw a journalist trick his way onto a migrant dinghy preparing to cross the Channel from France to Britain. The Telegraph has today published its write-up of the exclusive.What did the investigation uncover about the smugglers, the migrants attempting the crossing and the dangerous journeys being made across the Channel? And what does it tell us about the scale and reality of Britain’s small boats crisis?We also speak to David Shipley, investigative journalist and former prisoner, following claims that Muslim gangs are forcing white prisoners to convert to Islam. What is happening inside Britain’s prisons, how organised are these gangs, and are prison authorities doing enough to tackle intimidation, religious extremism and gang culture?Talk International exclusive, Isabel Oakeshott, migrant dinghy, small boats, Channel crossings, illegal immigration, asylum seekers, France, Britain, people smugglers, migrant crisis, prisons, Muslim gangs, forced conversion, Islam, extremism and prisoner safety.