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The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show
Andy Burnham’s Prisoner Release U-Turn — as Gary Lineker Demands Higher Taxes on the Rich
Andy Burnham pauses plans for the early release of criminals after PC Andrew Harper’s widow branded the scheme “deplorable”.
Julia Hartley-Brewer and former military intelligence officer Philippa Ingram examine Britain’s prison crisis, overstretched probation service and the risks to public safety.
Plus, Burnham unveils a 20% business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues, while frozen tax thresholds pull more workers into higher bills.
Gary Lineker joins 120 millionaires demanding greater taxes on wealth, sparking a fierce debate with Green Party activist Dr Ashok Kumar over fairness, housing and the economy.
Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM.
Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.
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Andy Burnham’s uncosted spending spree — is Britain’s new PM making promises he can’t keep?
32:43|Julia Hartley-Brewer grills Blue Labour founder Lord Maurice Glasman on Andy Burnham’s first days as Prime Minister, questioning whether his flurry of announcements — VAT off electricity bills, cut-price bus fares, rough sleeping funds — are anything more than uncosted trinkets. They clash over defence spending, welfare reform, immigration and net zero, before former Labour adviser Paul Richards joins to defend the new government’s direction, insisting growth will pay for it all. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.
Andy Burnham cuts tax on household electricity... and announces shock chancellor pick
35:26|Andy Burnham unveils his new Labour Cabinet and scraps VAT on domestic energy bills — saving the average household just 86p a week. Julia Hartley-Brewer challenges Lord Foulkes over the Prime Minister’s cost-of-living offer, defence spending, benefits reform and pledge to end rough sleeping. Tom Slater delivers his verdict on Burnham’s “hope and change” agenda, Net Zero and Britain’s soaring energy costs. Also, the latest on the death of Ann Widdecombe as Joshua Kerry is charged with murder. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM.Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.
Starmer quits and Burnham is crowned as PM – who will be his cabinet?
28:42|Keir Starmer has officially resigned as Prime Minister, handing power to Andy Burnham after a dramatic day at Westminster – with King Charles accepting Starmer’s resignation and Burnham’s government. Julia Hartley-Brewer dissects Starmer's self-congratulatory farewell speech, Labour's factionalism, and the frantic scramble over top jobs as Ed Miliband, Shabana Mahmood and Yvette Cooper jostle for position. The Critic's Henry Hill unpacks the cabinet reshuffle fallout, while Baroness Kate Hoey questions Burnham's democratic mandate, his silence on immigration and welfare reform, and whether his early poll bounce can survive the long summer recess. Plus: reaction to the BBC's World Cup half-time promo.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.
England's World Cup heartbreak, Tuchel under fire — plus political storm around Ann Widdecombe murder
38:39|Neil and Christine Hamilton react to England's agonising World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, questioning Thomas Tuchel's tactics and slamming Argentina's Falklands provocations. The pair also tackle Shabana Mahmood's rumoured Chancellor move, net zero, and Britain's migration crisis. Plus, raw reflections on the murder of their friend Ann Widdecombe and warnings over the demonisation of right-wing politicians. Also: talkSPORT's Max Scott delivers a searing verdict on Tuchel's "cowardly" substitutions, arguing England's capitulation could prove fatal for his future as manager.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.
Zia Yusuf slams other parties’ 'poisonous bigot' Ann Widdecombe rhetoric — plus nanny state questions over junk food ad ban
20:00|Duncan Barkes puts Labour peer Lord Foulkes on the spot over past insults aimed at the late Ann Widdecombe, including David Lammy's "poisonous bigot" jibe and Wes Streeting's jab — and asks whether Reform UK's Zia Yusuf has a point. Labour peer Lord Foulkes dodges and takes aim at Yusuf instead. Elsewhere, Andy Burnham's imminent premiership faces scrutiny questions, before lifestyle economist Chris Snowdon and commentator Benedict Spence rage against the government's latest nanny state crusade — banning junk food billboards — and ask when Britain will finally push back against endless state interference. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.
Counter-Terror Police Take Charge of Ann Widdecombe Murder Probe
28:00|Counter-terrorism police have taken charge of the investigation into the suspected murder of Anne Whittacombe, as former Met detective Peter Bleksley slams Devon and Cornwall Police's handling of the case and warns Britons must now take responsibility for their own safety. Attorney General Lord Hermer faces backlash after mocking ECHR critics in a bizarre Instagram video. Elsewhere, Taxpayers' Alliance chief John O'Connell warns of the dangers of Ed Miliband becoming Chancellor, tax hikes on wealth creators, and a growing two-tier Britain after benefits claimants were exempted from hosepipe bans.Duncan Barkes is sitting in for Julia Hartley-Brewer. Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.
Anne Widdecombe Death: Do MPs need better security?
27:55|Duncan Barkes leads a debate on Talk following the suspected murder of Conservative figure Anne Widdecombe, as Devon and Cornwall Police continue questioning a suspect arrested 270 miles away. With politicians increasingly vulnerable to attack, Duncan asks how much security MPs should receive - and who should foot the bill - amid Reform UK warnings that capping political donations could endanger lives. Philip Kiszely, senior fellow at the New Culture Forum, examines the rise of political hatred, from campus radicalism to identity politics, after outrage erupted over a trans activist's post celebrating Whitcombe's death. Callers weigh in on where free-speech ends and incitement begins.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.
Has Farage’s resignation left ‘egg on his face’ – or is it an establishment stitch-up?
26:05|Nigel Farage faces fierce scrutiny over a £5 million cryptocurrency donation and his links to convicted fraudster George Cottrell, resigning his party leadership role to fight the Clacton by-election against Count Binface. Former Sun political editor Trevor Kavanagh joins Julia to dissect whether this is a catastrophic tactical error or an establishment stitch-up — plus the extraordinary "coronation" of Andy Burnham as Britain's presumed next Prime Minister, sidestepping any manifesto or vote. Reform UK's London mayoral candidate, Laila Cunningham, hits back at Reform’s critics, who have called this by-election a ‘farce’. Also: the release of grooming gang leader Shabbir Ahmed, and Labour's refusal to tackle Britain's ballooning welfare bill.Julia Hartley-Brewer broadcasts on Talk from Monday to Thursday, 10AM to 1PM. Available on YouTube and streaming platforms, along with DAB+ radio and your smart speaker.