The Story

This week, after a meticulously planned voyage for the 11th-century retelling of the Battle of Hastings, the British Museum’s long-awaited Bayeux Tapestry exhibition opens to the public.  But, why has it taken almost a thousand years for the Bayeux Tapestry to return to Britain? And after all these centuries, why does this extraordinary piece of embroidery still capture the public imagination? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Katie Gatens, Europe correspondent, The Sunday Times Host: Manveen RanaProducer: Sophie McNultyWe want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Your interactive guide to the Bayeux TapestryClips: Sky News, DRM News, The Royal Family - YouTube.Photo: Getty Images.

Autism diagnoses in England have shot up in recent years from 700,000 three years ago to around 1.1 million today. It's led to a backlash, with some suggesting the condition is being over-diagnosed. Not so, says Dr Mary Doherty, a top doctor who founded Autistic Doctors International. She says she knows why diagnoses are up. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryRead by: Andrew Billen, feature writer, The Times.Producer: Olivia Case.  We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: I’m a top doctor and I’m autistic. I know why diagnoses are upPhoto: Tom Jackson for The Times magazine

As the Reform conference kicks off today, Nigel Farage and his team are looking to pitch themselves as a serious party ready to win a general election. But after a long, hot summer dogged by controversies, party infighting, and a by-election against a man dressed as a bin, this strategy might be undercutting itself. So where do they go from here? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Leo Danczak, Micaela Arneson.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Reform UK must walk a tightrope if it is to winFurther listening: Posh George: the criminal behind FarageClips: Sky News, Nigel Farage via YouTube, ITV News, BBC News, MS Now, Times Radio, Channel 4 News, The Telegraph.Photo: Getty Images.

How will US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and global bond markets impact UK borrowing, John Healey’s UK Budget, and the wider UK economy? Rising inflation rates, soaring government debt, and higher borrowing costs are likely to effect UK tax and pensions. But can politicians intervene without making things worse?The US Treasury intends to double its buyback operations of government bonds to control yields. But how far can Scott Bessent go before investors lose faith?In this episode of The Business, Dominic O’Connell brings you essential market analysis with The Times economics editor, Mehreen Khan, and Chris Jeffery, Head of Macro Strategy at Legal & General Investment Management. They unpack how spiralling UK borrowing costs affect everything from mortgage rates to pension values, delivering the definitive financial news breakdown.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app.Guests:Chris Jeffery, head of macro strategy, Legal & General Investment ManagementMehreen Khan, economics editor, The TimesPresenter:Dominic O'Connell. business correspondent, Times RadioProducer: Hope FedericoExecutive Producers: Miriam Hall and Emily LeahyVideo Producer: Bronwen LathamImage: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

On Friday, Giorgia Meloni will break Italy’s record and become the longest-serving continuous prime minister since the Second World War. Her sceptics predicted she would only last a few months. So how has she managed it? And with Britain going through four prime ministers in the same period, does she have a lesson for the rest of us?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Tom Kington, Italy correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Olivia Case and Leo Danczak.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: 1,413 days and counting… can Meloni become Italy’s Merkel?Further listening: How Giorgia Meloni became Europe’s political superstarClips: Atlantic Council, CNN, Giorgia Meloni / YouTube, @GiorgiaMeloni / X, EUDebates.tvPhoto: Getty Images.

Andy Burnham faced parliament for the first time as prime minister on Tuesday. He’s spent the summer projecting a sunny, optimistic vision of Britain’s future – but how long can the good vibes last as Burnham faces the cold, hard realities of governing? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Leo Danczak, Jennifer Kennedy. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Keir Starmer’s final U-turn gives Andy Burnham an early headacheFurther listening: The impossible dilemma of early releaseClips: BBC, Parliament TV, Andy Burnham via TikTok, Number 10, Channel 4, Sky News, CNBC, The Mirror.Photo: Getty Images.

It’s been six months since President Trump announced the US and Israel had launched a military campaign against Iran. And despite some early military successes, the conflict has had financial and political costs for the United States. Will a change in strategy turn the tide? Or has the US already lost the strategic battle?  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: David Charter, assistant editor (US), The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Jennifer Kennedy. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: How six months of war could make US rethink Middle East role for everFurther listening: How war is changing Iran from withinClips: Forbes, CNN, AP. Photo: Getty Images.

When Ceri Menai-Davis’ five year old son Hugh was diagnosed with cancer, his whole family’s life was transformed. The emotional toll was unimaginable, but alongside that came myriad other hidden costs, and he soon found there was no support available. So why does the UK not help families going through this most devastating moment? And could a new law, championed by Ceri, change that?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryYou can find more information and support Ceri’s work here: https://www.hughslaw.uk/ Guest: Ceri Menai-Davis, co-founder and director of policy, It’s Never You.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Harry Stott.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Nobody should be bankrupted for spending time with their dying childFurther listening: Why are more young people getting bowel cancer?Photo: Ceri Menai-Davis.

The Notting Hill Carnival began in the sixties as a celebration of the culture of Britain’s Windrush generation - but as the tradition has swelled there are issues of overcrowding and violence. Critics question the policing costs, which run into the tens of millions. With the future of Carnival now a political lightning rod, how long can the party go on?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Andy Silvester, London editor, The Times.Host: Manveen RanaProducers: Robert Wallace, Emily Webb.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Notting Hill Carnival, 60 years on: how it began — and what’s nextClips: BBC, Sky News, The Independent, GB News, ThamesTVPhoto: Getty Images.