The Story

Hundreds of protestors in Portsmouth clashed with police last night and early this morning. It was the second mass demonstration against small boat arrivals after a far-right protest caused disruption at the Port of Dover on Saturday. So who is behind the protests? And what should the government do now?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:Ollie Cole, newsroom reporter, The Times. Lord Walney, former government advisor on political violence and disruption.Dr Georgios Samaras, lecturer in public policy, Kings College London. Host: Seb Payne, leader writer and columnist, The Times. Producers: Felix Forbes, Maya Loubani, Rufus Jones. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Portsmouth protest: police officers injured as migrant dinghy arrivesFurther listening: The state of asylum in the UKPhoto: PA.

Asylum seekers now make up one in ten of all migrants coming to the UK each year but just one in sixty of those that leave. This week, The Times is looking at the myriad problems with Britain’s asylum system, from Labour’s policies to how previous governments have failed to fix the crisis. What is there left to try?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: Matt Dathan, home affairs editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Jordan Bardella: UK and France must ‘regain control of Channel’Further listening: Can Reform reset at conference?Clips: ITV, The I Paper, The Daily Express, 5 News, GB News, TalkTV, SKY, France 24, Channel 4, DWS News. Photo: Getty Images.

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.