Politics Unpacked

The government is expected to water down electric car targets just as world leaders gather for the latest climate summit. Is Burnham putting economic reality ahead of the push to net zero?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Libby Purves.

Russell Brand used his fame to prey on young women in the entertainment industry. There were rumours of his abuse for years. Was Brand enabled by the culture around him? Ed Vaizey unpacks the news of the day with Daisy McAndrew and Michael Binyon.

Andy Burnham's deal with the EU could eliminate cross-border checks on food products - and spell the end for smoky bacon crisps.A cabinet minister says anyone concerned about the fate of the savoury snack should "get a life". But should we be scrapping one lot of red tape for another?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Lara Spirit and Matthew Parris.

Louise Haigh stands in for Andy Burnham at PMQs, where Tory MP Alex Burghart presses her on when Labour will bring down the benefits bill. But she stops short of giving him a date for cuts.Hugo unpacks the action from the chamber with Patrick Maguire, Ben Riley-Smith and Stefan Boscia.

The Conservative party is only two points behind Labour in the latest YouGov poll for the Times. But is returning to levels of support last seen before a disastrous general election something to shout about?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Patrick Kidd and Charlotte Ivers.

Andy Burnham is joining The King in the Caribbean, where their visits are being overshadowed by demands for Britain to pay reparations for slavery. But should modern day Brits pay the price for the wrongs of the past?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and Sebastian Payne.

The Chancellor is looking at off-the-books ways to boost defence spending, including schemes reminiscent of Gordon Brown's controversial PFI - has the government learned the lessons of the past?Ed Vaizey unpacks the politics of the day with Michael Binyon and Alys Denby.

The think-tanks have been poring over John Healey's first budget, and they find plenty of grim news in the small print.The chancellor didn't frighten the bond markets, but did he in fact sound a bit in hock to them?Lara Spirit is joined by Juliet Samuel and Josh Glancy to unpack the politics of the day.

Kemi Badenoch accuses Andy Burnham of contradicting himself on Brexit, after he said he didn’t want to reopen the debate about re-joining the EU, but wants to improve the deal struck by the Tories - has the PM walked into a Brexit booby-trap? Hugo unpacks PMQs with The Times' Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire