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How to tackle the UK's plastic pollution problem | Sponsored
The UK is one of the biggest plastic polluters in the world. According to Greenpeace we produce more plastic waste per person than almost any other country, with our supermarkets creating roughly 800,000 tonnes every year.
We need to find ways to minimise waste through keeping products and packaging in circulation for as long as possible. This is where the circular economy comes in - a more sustainable model of production that reduces, reuses, repairs and recycles. With a general election coming up, creating a circular economy will be a crucial component of the next government’s net zero agenda, and businesses will need to play their part.
In this sponsored podcast, host and freelance journalist Emma Haslett is joined by Julian Hunt, vice president of public affairs, communication and sustainability of GB and Northern Europe at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners; Ruth Jones, Labour MP for Newport West and shadow minister for environmental protection and animal welfare; and Dr Costas Velis, a lecturer in resource efficiency systems in the School of Civil Engineering (SoCE), at the University of Leeds. They explore how the UK can move towards a circular economy, and the role businesses play in enabling that shift.
This podcast is sponsored by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.
To learn more about Coca-Cola Europacific Partners' work in making its packaging more sustainable, you can check out its This is Forward packaging commitments or for further information about the company head here.
Listen to the podcast in full here or on the Spotlight on Policy podcast channel.
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Farage's Clacton distraction
56:01|Nigel Farage, pollings' current front runner to win the next general election, has resigned as an MP.However, he plans to stand as a candidate in the by-election this move will trigger. Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories have labelled this a “stunt” and won’t stand in the contest.Meanwhile, Andy Burnham is continuing to prepare for power…Tom McTague is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Ethan Croft to discuss.
Nigel Farage has lost his aura
27:13|Nigel Farage loses his cool as he’s grilled on his £5 million “gift”, the “anti-woke” Davos and the elephant seal that’s terrorising Tasmania. Will and Anoosh round up the stories of the week.READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2026/07/is-nigel-farage-losing-momentum
"Startlingly transactional" – Burnham prepares for power
53:41|Andy Burnham is preparing for power – which means horsetrading, negotiations and planning.Ailbhe Rea has been speaking to MPs and advisors inside the Labour party to find out what's really happening in Team Burnham, who's in line for the top jobs, and why some Labour MPs are giving Burnham "the ick".Plus: Reform say Nigel Farage is having a great time. Other sources say he’s struggling. What’s going on inside the “unofficial opposition”? Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Tom McTague and Ailbhe Rea.
“Westminster is broken”: Andy Burnham sets out his leadership plan
23:10|This morning Andy Burnham delivered a speech criticising “Whitehall culture” and promising to rebalance resources between national and local governments. On course to enter Downing Street in as little as three weeks, the former Greater Manchester Mayor laid out his vision for a “Number 10 North”, promising “growth in every postcode”.But how will that work in practice? And how different is it from what’s been before?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political editor Ailbhe Rea.
Does Britain want another general election? | Will and Anoosh
41:48|Keir Starmer’s turn at the resignation lectern, Peter Murrell’s £400,000 shopping spree and Will Dunn’s attempt at a “Man v Horse” race. Will and Anoosh discuss the stories of the week.READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/this-england/2026/06/one-small-step-for-man-much-further-for-a-horse
A critical three weeks for Burnham
01:06:54|From a by-election victory in Wigan, to the resignation of Keir Starmer, to an Avanti West Coast train bound for London, tracked by news helicopters - Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster has been a remarkable spectacle.Whilst Burnham’s coup has overcome multiple challenges to get to this point, in many ways, the hard part is about to begin.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Tom McTague to discuss.
Keir Starmer resigns: “He’s been chewed up and spat out”
56:43|This morning, Keir Starmer stood outside No 10 Downing Street and announced his resignation as Prime Minister - the sixth to leave office since the EU referendum, which was ten years ago this week. He will remain in office until Labour selects a new leader. The Prime Minister’s likely successor Andy Burnham is sworn in as an MP today after his decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election last week. Burnham has already announced his intention to stand as a leadership contender.How did the Prime Minister come to this momentous decision, and what happens next?Anoosh Chakelian is joined by political editor Ailbhe Rea and editor-in-chief Tom McTague.
“Brand Burnham”: Why Andy is a marketing success story
40:12|The importance of branding in British politics, banning social media for under 16s and the Reform councillor who made “the biggest mistake” of his life.Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn discuss the stories of the week.READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/06/the-brand-is-back-in-british-politics
Burnham wins Makerfield, what now?
20:23|Andy Burnham has won the historic Makerfield by-election, he's soon expected to speak to Starmer or trigger a leadership election.Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Ethan Croft in Wigan.