The Story

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 putting severe pressure on global markets. 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.

It’s a crime that many victims don’t know is illegal. Now a Times investigation has found that online platforms are hosting graphic content depicting women being sexually assaulted while they sleep, despite UK laws banning depictions of rape.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Constance Kampfner, political correspondent, The Times.Zoe Watts, survivor and founder of #endeyecheck campaign. Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Emily Webb and Olivia Case.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comIf you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help:Rape Crisis England & WalesNHS - Help after rape and sexual assaultCriminal Cases Review CommissionAppeal - Charity and law practiceRead more: Revealed: Social media content depicting sex assaults on sleeping womenPhoto: Getty Images.

The tech giant Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion and add child-safety measures to its platforms, after settling a landmark trial against a coalition of American states. So, will the forthcoming measures actually lead to real change? And why has 2026 become a year of social media backlash? 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: Danny Forston, West Coast correspondent, The Sunday TimesHost: Luke JonesProducers: Sophie McNulty, Jennifer KennedyWe want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Meta agrees to child safety features in social media addiction caseFurther listening: The Times Tech PodcastClips: NBC News, CBS News, CNN, The Guardian. Photo: Getty Images.

At least 360 have died, with hundreds more still missing, after a flash flood in Nepal. Experts are warning that a second flood may be imminent.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: David Brown, chief news correspondent, The Times.Adam Vaughan, environment editor, The Times.Host: John Pienaar.Producers: Sandra Mitchell, Sofia Johanson.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Nepal flash floods latestPhoto: Getty Images.