Share

The Politics Show
Where do we get the money to fix the world's biggest problems? | Sponsored
The world is currently facing multiple crises, from geopolitical conflicts to pandemics and climate change. But amidst this turbulence, international aid budgets are being stretched as domestic issues take precedence. The UK has cut its overseas aid budget significantly, from 0.7 to 0.5 per cent of gross national income. Meanwhile, low-income countries need more support than ever, as they deal with the fall out of wars, extreme poverty, natural disasters and humanitarian issues. The costs involved are huge, and while aid still has a role to play, we need to look beyond grants to unlock funding on a bigger scale to fix these problems.
In this sponsored podcast, host and freelance journalist Emma Haslett is joined by Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham and chair of the cross-party international development parliamentary committee; James Mwangi, founder of Climate Action Platform for Africa, an organisation working to unlock Africa's potential as a global hub for climate action; and Hannah Ryder, CEO at Development Reimagined, an Africa-led and women-led international development consultancy.
Focusing on the African continent, they explore the need to reform global financial institutions, and how the UK can develop new models of financial support that rely less on aid and more on partnership and collaboration with low-income countries.
This podcast is sponsored by ONE, a not-for-profit international development organisation which campaigns to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030.
Join the fight for a more equal future: visit one.org.
LISTEN AD-FREE:
📱Download the New Statesman app
MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:
❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday
⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning
✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday
More episodes
View all episodes

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.