Latest news with #TodayProgramme
BBC News
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC Sounds launches new Today podcast Radical with Amol Rajan
Amol Rajan will present a new weekly BBC podcast, Radical with Amol Rajan, where he'll be talking to the greatest pioneers of today about how to win the future. Together they'll explore the big, bad, or bold ideas and global trends that define our era and the one to come. In Radical, the Today programme presenter will search out the people and the thinking that might make the future brighter, fix some of our deeper problems, and make us all reconsider how we see the world. Radical with Amol Rajan starts on BBC Sounds from this month and will also be available on BBC iPlayer and YouTube. Radical with Amol Rajan forms part of the Today programme's podcast offering – alongside Political Thinking with Nick Robinson, and the Best of Today podcast. These will sit under the same banner – 'A Today podcast' – to make it easier for audiences to find and subscribe to the BBC's flagship news programme across radio and BBC Sounds. Amol Rajan says: "For 20 years I've worked inside a revolution in the media, through an era of dizzying change and giant forces that are re-shaping the future in a hurry. I want Radical to help our audience understand and win that future, by making sense of these deep global trends, in technology, demography, economics and culture. "Our slightly too interesting times demand Radical thinking, and the prospect of deep conversations with big name guests is really very exciting. So too is the idea of building a community of subscribers along the way. We're calling it a podcast, but really it's a vodcast: many in that community will watch the video version on BBC iPlayer and YouTube." Owenna Griffiths, Editor, Today, and Executive Producer, Radical with Amol Rajan, says: "In a period of rapid change, technological transformation and political fragmentation, finding the radical thinking and fresh ideas is more important than ever. In Amol, our audience have the perfect companion to explore ideas with the potential to shape the world." Mohit Bakaya, Director of Speech and Controller of Radio 4 and 4Extra, says: "Radical with Amol Rajan is the natural evolution of the Today programme's podcast offering – it will reflect the Today programme's intellectual curiosity, providing audiences with a place to explore and consider some of the big ideas of our time." The podcast is presented by Amol Rajan. It is produced by Lewis Vickers. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. The BBC Radio 4 commissioner is Rhian Roberts. The final episode of the current The Today Podcast with Amol and Nick is out on BBC Sounds now. Radical with Amol Rajan will sit in the same feed. IA Follow for More
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Scotsman
a day ago
- Business
- Scotsman
UK spared Donald Trump's doubling of steel tariffs - but what about Scotch whisky and salmon?
Donald Trump has signed an executive order to double US aluminium and steel import tariffs to 50 per cent. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The US has doubled its import tariffs on steel and aluminium - but the UK has been granted a temporary exemption. US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to double US aluminium and steel import tariffs to 50 per cent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However the UK has not been included in this order, and the levy for British firms remains at 25 per cent. US President Donald Trump. | Getty Images Last month the UK and the US signed a deal which would see steel and aluminium levies axed completely, but this agreement is yet to come into force. Mr Trump warns the US may still increase these tariffs may still increase for the UK 'on or after 9 July' if the US 'determines that the UK has not complied with relevant aspects of the economic prosperity deal'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The move has been welcomed by the steel industry, with Gareth Stace, chief executive of UK Steel, saying the sector can 'breathe a temporary sigh of relief'. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, he said: 'What we really want to get is those tariffs removed. 'We hope that a deal can be made soon enough, and certainly before 9 July, which is the next deadline in our tariff story.' Tariffs on other UK goods to the US remain at 10 per cent and are not part of this new executive order. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The US is the largest export market for the Scotch whisky industry by market value - in 2024, US exports were worth £971 million to the industry. Mr Trump had introduced a 25 per cent levy on single malts back in 2019 during his first term in the White House, which cost the industry around £600m. America is second only to France as the largest export market for Scottish salmon, accounting for £225m of the total £844m exports in 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A UK government spokesperson said it was 'pleased that as a result of our agreement with the US, UK steel will not be subject to these additional tariffs'.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer warns of 'moment of danger and threat' in major defence speech
Keir Starmer has warned the UK faces a "moment of danger and threat" amid growing Russian aggression. Speaking in Scotland, he said Vladimir Putin's actions must not go unchallenged as he unveiled a long-awaited defence plan - which he said would make the country an "armour-clad nation". The Prime Minister said: "We have to recognise that the world has changed... the threat we face is more serious, more imminent, more unpredictable than at any point since the Cold War." The PM said the Strategic Defence Review will focus on "warfighting readiness" - saying Britain must prepare for war if it wants to avoid it. Earlier the PM told the BBC's Today Programme: " Russia has shown in recent weeks that it's not serious about peace, and we have to be ready." He said the review will focus on Britain's readiness for war, stating: "The world has changed and we are entering a new era when it comes to defence and security. "I think that's a common feeling across Europe and more broadly there is greater instability on defence and security than there has been for many, many years, and greater threats, and that's obviously having a direct impact back into the United Kingdom. Hence the review." The Prime Minister said he "very much" hopes he will not be forced to send British troops to war in the face of Russian aggression. But he said the UK "cannot ignore" the threat Putin poses. Earlier defence minister Luke Pollard has said the UK is "certainly not at war at the moment, but it's also true that we're certainly not at peace". He said strong action was needed to prevent conflict, telling BBC Breakfast: I think all your viewers will have seen the appalling scenes from Ukraine over recent years. They'll be aware that the world is more dangerous. They'll be aware that to secure our freedom and our economic prosperity, we have to invest in our national security. "It's the first duty of any government to keep our country safe, but it's also the first mission of this Labour Government to grow our economy by investing in defence. We're creating jobs in every single part of United Kingdom." He went on: "I don't want us to go to war. I want us to deter aggression. That is precisely what the defence review sets out to do today." A long-awaited strategic defence review will be published today, with the Government commiting to build 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines and invest £15billion in its warhead programme. Defence Secretary John Healey said last night that Britain "must act decisively to face down Russian aggression". Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here - Lizzy Buchan, Mikey Smith, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke and Ashley Cowburn. Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox. And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer to give major speech today amid grim warning world is in 'new era'
Keir Starmer will this morning unveil plans to put the UK on a war footing after issuing a fresh warning about Vladimir Putin. The Prime Minister will speak at around 10am in Scotland as he announces the long-awaited Strategic Defence Review. He told the BBC's Today Programme: " Russia has shown in recent weeks that it's not serious about peace, and we have to be ready." He said the review will focus on Britain's readiness for war, stating: "The world has changed and we are entering a new era when it comes to defence and security. "I think that's a common feeling across Europe and more broadly there is greater instability on defence and security than there has been for many, many years, and greater threats, and that's obviously having a direct impact back into the United Kingdom. Hence the review." He said he "very much" hopes he will not be forced to send British troops to war in the face of Russian aggression. But he said the UK "cannot ignore" the threat Putin poses. Earlier defence minister Luke Pollard has said the UK is "certainly not at war at the moment, but it's also true that we're certainly not at peace". He said action was needed to prevent conflict, telling BBC Breakfast: I think all your viewers will have seen the appalling scenes from Ukraine over recent years. They'll be aware that the world is more dangerous. They'll be aware that to secure our freedom and our economic prosperity, we have to invest in our national security. "It's the first duty of any government to keep our country safe, but it's also the first mission of this Labour Government to grow our economy by investing in defence. We're creating jobs in every single part of United Kingdom." He went on: "I don't want us to go to war. I want us to deter aggression. That is precisely what the defence review sets out to do today." A long-awaited strategic defence review will be published today, with the Government commiting to build 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines and invest £15billion in its warhead programme. Defence Secretary John Healey said last night that Britain "must act decisively to face down Russian aggression". Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here - Lizzy Buchan, Mikey Smith, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke and Ashley Cowburn. Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox. And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Household energy bills to fall by £129 as price cap drops
Energy bills are to fall by £129 from July, regulators have announced, easing pressure on British households after three consecutive increases. Ofgem, the energy regulator, has set its price cap – the amount suppliers are allowed to charge their customers – at £1,720 per year, falling from its current cap of £1,849. It follows three consecutive increases in bills that have heaped pressure on consumers and driven the rate of inflation up. Ofgem changes its price cap every three months. Energy industry analysts at Cornwall Insight this week predicted that another 'modest drop' would follow in October, with another to come in January. The fall in household's bills comes after Donald Trump's trade war hammered gas and oil prices as uncertainty over tariffs weighed on prices. At the same time, Opec cartel members have been pushing through oil production increases, adding further downwards pressure. Dr Craig Lowrey, of Cornwall Insight, said on Friday: 'This fall in the energy price cap is undoubtedly welcome news for households, offering a degree of relief at a time when many are grappling with high living costs, and rising inflation. 'Lower prices in the warmer months are helpful, but the real benefit could come in October. With energy use typically rising as we head into winter, any drop in bills later in the year would be especially valuable for families trying to manage the high costs in the lead up to the Christmas period.' However, he warned that the energy market 'remains unpredictable'. He said: 'We know recent declines in wholesale prices have helped bring the cap down, but global events - from geopolitical negotiations to shifts in trade and weather - can quickly reverse that trend. 'Plus, even with the cap coming down, bills are still higher than what we used to consider 'normal', so support is still very much needed.' It comes as worries are mounting over the amount of historical debt racked up by British households as prices soared in recent years. The total amount of debt and arrears owed to suppliers hit £3.8bn at the end of 2024. Tim Jarvis, the director general of markets at Ofgem, said on Friday that the regulator was looking at ways it could address historical debts. He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'We have to get on top of that number. It has been increasing significantly over the last year or two, as people have been struggling with their bills. 'And it's a problem, not just for those people who are in debt... and the stress that it causes, but it's something that we all pay for in our prices.' Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, said: 'Ofgem has lowered its cap, but our bills are still sky high and nobody has any faith left in this regulator, which allows multinational companies to extract obscene profits from our energy system. 'We urgently need to reverse the market madness and address the real causes of the lingering energy crisis.' That bills are set to fall – and are expected to fall further over the months to come – will come as a relief to the Prime Minister, who pledged to ease the burden of energy bills before he was elected last year. However, they are still 10pc higher than they were when Labour took office. Sir Keir Starmer this week said he would review Labour's clampdown on winter fuel payments, in a major u-turn on what has been one of his government's most unpopular policies. Adam Scorer, chief executive of National Energy Action, said household bills still remained 'punishingly high'. He said: 'Four years of extraordinarily high energy bills has taken its toll. We hear heart-breaking cases every day.' That's all from us on the energy price cap this morning. Read on for more business news and analysis. This chart shows the extent of households' energy debt and arrears up to the end of last year. Ofgem's director general Tim Jarvis said this morning that the regulator is looking at ways to tackle the issue. Here's Caroline Abrahams, of the charity Age UK: 'This fall in energy prices will not undo the hardship many older people have already endured and may have to endure again this winter. Despite relatively mild weather, last winter was especially tough for pensioners who lost their Winter Fuel Payment. Pensioners, many of whom live on fixed incomes, have faced impossible choices between heating their homes and covering other essential expenses.' 'Without intervention, we anticipate similar, if not worse, levels of hardship next winter. There is an urgent need for the government to introduce additional targeted support measures before the winter hits. – which may feel a long way off but is really only six months away.' Soaring energy bills have plunged swathes of households into debt in recent years, with the total amount owed to suppliers surging to almost £4bn, according to Ofgem data. Richard Lane, of debt charity StepChange, said: 'This is the first fall in the energy price cap we've seen for a year, but it's fair to say it'll have a minimal impact, both on the households already struggling to meet these costs and for those already deep in the red with their energy bills – many of whom have been hit hard by other bill rises in April.' The benchmark index was up 0.3pc in early trading as Ofgem lowered its price cap for households and government data showed an unexpected jump in retail sales. The mid-cap FTSE 250 index climbed 0.2pc after markets opened. During his election campaign last year, Sir Keir Starmer pledged to bring down customers' bills after they soared to record highs, so the news on Friday that households can expect them to drop in July after months of pain will come as a relief to the Prime Minister. However, it is likely to remain a critical issue over the months to come because bills are still more expensive than they were at the time of Labour's election victory. Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at investment firm AJ Bell, said: 'The 7pc drop wipes out April's increase, but the cap is still higher than it was during the same period last year and there's no sign of energy prices falling back to historic norms. It comes after Sir Keir this week said he would review Labour's clampdown on winter fuel payments, in a major u-turn on what has been one of his government's most unpopular policies. Joanna Elsom, chief executive of Independent Age, said: 'We heard dreadful accounts of people going to bed in hats and coats, limiting themselves to just one meal a day to save money, and having to visit public places to stay warm. 'We urge the UK Government to act quickly and provide clarity on who will be eligible for the next payment.' Here's Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, the union. 'Ofgem has lowered its cap, but our bills are still sky high and nobody has any faith left in this regulator, which allows multinational companies to extract obscene profits from our energy system. 'We urgently need to reverse the market madness and address the real causes of the lingering energy crisis.' The energy secretary, Ed Milband, welcomed news of the price cap falling, arguing it would mean 'that working people keep more of their money in the coming months'. 'We know that it is only through our mission for clean home-grown power that we can get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets controlled by dictators and petrostates – and give families and businesses energy security and bring down bills for good. 'As we take back control, we are doing everything we can to support people – from consulting on expanding the £150 Warm Home Discount to around six million households next winter, to upgrading thousands of homes so they are warmer and cost less to heat, to reforming our energy market so consumers are better protected.' Simon Virley, head of energy and natural resources at KPMG, said the falling price of gas could make it 'harder to argue' for switching to renewables. He said:'Today's decrease in the energy price cap is the result of falling gas prices and will bring costs back to where they were at the end of last year. This is good news for households still struggling with the cost of living. 'With upward pressures on the cost of renewables, due to supply chain and other constraints, if gas prices continue to fall, it will be harder to argue that switching from gas to renewables will help bring energy bills down in the near term.' Here's Dhara Vyas, chief executive of Energy UK, a trade body which represents the energy industry. 'Today's announcement again underlines how energy bills are driven by the country's dependence on gas and a wholesale price over which we have little control - and which has risen more often than fallen in recent times. 'Producing more of our own clean power is the right way to stabilise bills over the long term but in the meantime, the industry also wants to work with Government, Ofgem, and charities on ways to ease the burden on customers, in addition to the support already provided by suppliers.' Tim Jarvis told The Today Programme Ofgem is looking at ways it can help households with historical debt that they have built up as prices soared in recent years. Around £4bn is currently owed to energy suppliers in arrears. Mr Jarvis said: 'We have to get on top of that number. It has been increasing significantly over the last year or two, as people have been struggling with their bills. 'And it's a problem, not just for those people who are in debt... and the stress that it causes, but it's something that we all pay for in our prices.' Ofgem's director general for markets, Tim Jarvis, told The Today Programme this morning: 'We do recognise that many people are still struggling, and there's a lot of volatility that the changes in prices as a result of these changes in international markets. 'It does make this market difficult. So I would encourage people to try and try and switch and protect themselves from these fluctuations.' He insisted the regulator was doing what it could to help ease pressure on British households, adding that customers struggling to meet their bills should open talks with their suppliers. 'Often it's the last thing [people] want to do but talk to your supplier, because there is help available. They can make sure that you are paying the cheapest amount.' Tessa Khan, founder of fuel poverty charity Uplift, said: 'Any reduction in household energy bills is a massive relief for millions across the country but is sadly likely to be short lived. What racks up UK energy bills is our high dependency on exorbitant gas prices. 'If we follow the money we see there are vested interests who want us hooked on gas and the reality is we have no control whatsoever over its price. While some companies and individuals profit from that reliance, the rest of us are faced with this grinding price cap seesaw.' Household energy bills are poised to fall after Ofgem reduced its price cap by 7pc. Trump's $4.5 trillion tax cuts risk making bond markets 'puke' | America's mountainous debts are becoming too big for even the most daring investors to ignore Labour's tax raid to trap 1.5bn barrels of oil and gas under North Sea | Windfall tax has doubled rate of decline in production, forecast shows The true cost of Reeves's capitulation on public sector pay | The decision to back bumper handouts places fresh demands on the public purse – and taxpayers' pockets Man City sheikh was 'shadow owner' of hospital tainted by fraud, claims EY | Emirati royal had links to businessmen accused of stealing billions from NMC Health, court told Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: Spain's blackout story is disintegrating | It is the socialist government, not green energy, that ought to be on trial in this fiasco On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.4pc, to 42,037.60, the S&P 500 rose 0.5pc, to 5,873.50, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.9pc, to 19,049.21. In the bond market, the yield on benchmark 10-year US Treasury notes fell to 4.540pc from 4.588pc a day earlier. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
