The Bench Report
🇬🇧 Making UK politics accessible & accountable.
✂️ Concise summaries of debates & briefings.
⚡️ A new topic every episode.
Discover the issues your MP's are talking about. Local, national or international affairs, from AI regulation to climate finance to bin collection in Birmingham...we give you the crucial context you need.
Listener suggestions are vital to our mission - making politics more accessible and accountable. So please get in touch and producer Tom (me) will grab another coffee and start scanning those pages of Hansard.
- Stay Informed: Get up-to-date on the latest parliamentary debates and policy decisions, many of which can be overshadowed by the headlines.
- Accessible Politics: We break down complex political jargon into clear, understandable audio summaries.
- Accountability: Understand how your government is working and hold them accountable.
- Targeted Content: Search our episode library for topics that matter to you, personally or professionally.
Our Sources:
- No outside chatter. We rely only on the official record of Parliamentary debates: Hansard.parliament.uk
- Reports from Parliamentary Committees that consider and scrutise government work: committees.parliament.uk
- Upcoming Parliamentary bills: bills.parliament.uk
- The comprehensive resources of the House of Commons Library: commonslibrary.parliament.uk
Legal:
- Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0. parliament.uk/site-information/copyright-parliament
Email:
- thebenchreportuk@gmail.com
Substack
Subscribe to our blog for in-depth analysis of debates, past and present.
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Extended episodes:
We try to keep episodes short and concise, but if you would like a more detailed analysis of a particular topic, please get in touch!
About Me:
I'm Tom, producer of 'The Bench Report'. Yorkshireman, ex-primary school teacher, now working in the world of education technology. Dad of two, elite village cricketer, knackered footballer. Fascinated by UK and US politics and the world my kids will be taking over.
Episodes
102 episodes
The UN at 80: Crisis, Cash, and the Future of Global Cooperation
The United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary, marking eight decades since the UN Charter was signed in 1945. We examine the UN’s founding purposes, including maintaining international peace and promoting human rights. However, this milest...
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Season 4
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13:05
Fixing the UK's Broken SEND System: Parliament's Debate on Education Reform
UK Parliament recently debated on the crisis in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support, sparked by a petition with over 122,000 signatures. In this extended episode, Members of Parliament describe an adversarial system that i...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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14:37
UK's National Trails at a Crossroads: Funding Cuts, Legal Battles & The Path Forward
Today we explore the critical condition of the UK's 16 National Trails, including the famous Thames Path and Ridgeway. We uncover the immense value these paths provide, contributing £1.8 billion to the economy and £300 million in health savings...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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5:45
London Fashion Week: More Than Just Clothes | UK's Cultural Powerhouse
This episode explores the huge cultural and economic impact of London Fashion Week. LFW is more than just a runway show. It’s a launchpad for new designers, a driver of billions for the economy, and a platform for social change. We'll cover how...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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5:27
Fixing Britain's Railways: The Plan for Simpler, Fairer Fares
Ever felt confused or ripped off buying a train ticket? You're not alone. This episode explores why the UK's rail fare system, with 50 million different fares, is so complex and untrustworthy. We'll look at the government's plan to fix it, incl...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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6:16
Remote UK Coastal Communities: Hidden Challenges & Vital Solutions
Remote UK coastal communities face unique, often hidden, challenges. Despite scenic beauty, these areas suffer from economic neglect, public service withdrawal, and high income deprivation. Key issues include geographical isolation, strain from...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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6:40
The Future of Freeview: Protecting UK Terrestrial TV in a Digital Age
This episode explores the hidden threat to digital terrestrial television (Freeview), a vital, free, and universal service for 98.5% of the UK. With licences expiring in 2034, there's a significant debate about switching off Freeview and...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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6:15
Beyond the Breach: Understanding the JLR Cyber-Attack & UK's Cyber-Security Battle
The recent cyber-attack on Jaguar Land Rover severely disrupted production, impacting 34,000 UK employees and its extensive global supply chain. The UK Government, via the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), is actively supporting JLR and en...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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6:10
Cricket's Future: Free-to-Air, The Hundred, & Participation Debate
This episode explores the impact of free-to-air broadcasting on cricket participation. The Hundred attracts new, younger audiences and funding, but faces criticism for alienating traditional fans and crowding the calendar. While free-to-...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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4:27
UK Steel in Crisis: Liberty Speciality Steels Liquidation & Government's Path Forward
This episode details the High Court's compulsory winding-up order against Liberty Speciality Steels, leading to its liquidation. The UK government affirms its support for affected workers and communities, with the Official Receiver now managing...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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5:50
Pavement Parking Ban UK: Enhancing Pedestrian Safety & Accessibility for All
Pavement parking in England is a critical issue, where vehicles obstruct footways, endangering vulnerable pedestrians like disabled people, parents, and those with sight loss. While London and Scotland have clear bans, England faces inconsisten...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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5:38
Diabetes in Sport: Tackling Stigma, Building Inclusion & Unlocking Athlete Potential
Physical activity is a powerful tool for managing diabetes and preventing serious health complications. However, there are significant barriers faced by people with diabetes, especially young athletes, including stigma, misunde...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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6:23
Baby Allergy Guidance Review: Preventing Allergies in Infants
A proposed Bill seeks to review allergy guidance for feeding and weaning babies in the UK. Spearheaded by Becky Gittins, an allergy sufferer herself, the Bill addresses the increasing rates of allergic diseases in the UK. It highlights that cur...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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6:41
Unpacking Short Money: How UK Opposition Parties Get Funded
Short Money is public funding enabling opposition parties in the House of Commons to conduct parliamentary business. Since 1975, it covers operations, travel, and the Leader of the Opposition's office. Learn its allocation by seats and v...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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9:46
NHS Winter Pressures Explained: Challenges, Solutions, & 2025/26 Plans
The NHS in England faces critical challenges during winter, including increased pressures on accident and emergency (A&E) departments and ambulance services. We’ll discuss the acute pressures experienced in winter 2024/25, including record ...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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7:44
UK Voting Systems Unpacked: A Guide to How We Vote
Explore the diverse voting systems used across the UK, moving beyond First-Past-The-Post (FPTP). Since 1997, various systems like Additional Member System (AMS), Single Transferable Vote (STV), and Alternative Vote (AV)<...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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6:47
Votes at 16: The UK's Electoral Age Debate
Today, we examine the UK's voting age debate. Currently, it's 18 for UK-wide elections, but 16 for devolved elections in Scotland and Wales. The UK Government plans to reduce the age for reserved elections to 16 by the next genera...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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6:04
Social Media Misinformation: UK Parliament Demands Tech Accountability
New! Watch this episode as a video presentation on YouTube!The UK Science, Innovation and Technology Committee highlights the severe real-world dangers of online misinformation, ci...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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6:13
Unpacking Solutions to Plastic Pollution & Building a Circular Economy
There is an urgent need for a Global Plastics Treaty to tackle pervasive plastic pollution, projected to triple by 2060. A legally binding international agreement is crucial, addressing plastic throughout its lifecycle. Key themes...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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8:28
Understanding Your NHS Health Data: Access, Sharing, and AI
This episode discusses NHS patient health records, focusing on your rights to access and privacy and how data is shared for care, research, and legal needs. We explore the NHS's shift towards electronic and "single patie...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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8:09
UK Timeshares: Unpacking Common Problems & Consumer Protections
The often-complex world of timeshares for UK owners. We explore common challenges like excessive annual fees, difficulties with resale, and obstacles when trying to exit contracts, especially those with in-perpetuity cla...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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8:03
The Future of UK Public Libraries: Community Lifelines, Funding & Strategy
Public libraries are vital community hubs, evolving beyond books to offer digital learning, enterprise support, and wellbeing services. Despite their immense value, they face significant funding cuts and closures across the UK. Th...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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7:33
UK Music Streaming Shake-Up: New Principles to Boost Artist Earnings
Today in this extedned episode, we discuss recent advancements in the UK music industry aimed at improving artist remuneration from music streaming. The Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism announced new label-led principles
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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12:53
Alcohol Late Night Levy Explained: Reforms and Your Business
The Late Night Levy is a charge on premises licensed to sell alcohol between midnight and 6 am in England and Wales. Implemented by local authorities, its primary purpose is to help fund policing costs for the late-night economy. ...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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5:39
Cracking Down on UK Ticket Touting: What You Need to Know About Secondary Ticketing Laws
The complex world of secondary ticketing in the UK, where tickets for live events are resold, often at inflated prices. We explore the current legal landscape, including consumer protection laws and specific legislation designed to comba...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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6:36
