Best Bench Report PUK Podcasts (2025)

1
English Football Governance: The New Regulatory Framework 13:46

4d ago13:46

13:46

In this episode, we uncover the details of the Football Governance Bill [HL], a significant piece of legislation introduced in the House of Lords on 24 October 2024 and progressing through Parliament. This bill aims "to protect and promote the sustainability of English football". We'll explore the policy background that led to its creation, the key…

1
Trail Hunting Under Scrutiny: Ban on the Horizon? 12:43

5d ago12:43

12:43

Today we examine the recent parliamentary debate on trail hunting, an activity under increasing fire for its connection to illegal fox hunting despite the Hunting Act 2004. Perran Moon MP opened the discussion, highlighting animal cruelty concerns and the perceived loopholes in current legislation. The debate explores the differences between trail …

1
PIP and Carer's Allowance Changes 11:38

7d ago11:38

11:38

Join us as we unpack a crucial House of Commons debate on the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and their potential impact on Carer’s Allowance. The Minister of State, Stephen Timms, outlines the government's plan to reform PIP through the "Pathways to Work" Green Paper, aiming to create a more sustainable system focused on t…

1
Landline Revolution: Unpacking the UK's Big Digital Phone Switch 23:19

8d ago23:19

23:19

Ready to explore the upcoming changes to your home phone? In this episode, we investigate the UK's nationwide shift from traditional landlines to a fully digital network. The old Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is being retired, with all calls moving over broadband by the end of January 2027. This industry-led transition is happening becau…

1
Driving the Electric Revolution: Licence Changes for Zero Emission Vehicles 13:52

13d ago13:52

13:52

As my eldest is turning 17 soon, this is of particular interest! Join us as we explore the recent changes to UK driving licence regulations designed to accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles. We examine the new rules, which allow standard category B licence holders to drive fully electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes …

1
University Finances Under Fire: Exploring the Crisis in UK Higher Education and Its Impact on Jobs 15:31

14d ago15:31

15:31

Join us as we investigate the mounting financial pressures facing universities across the United Kingdom. This episode examines a crucial parliamentary debate on the severe financial crisis gripping the higher education sector, revealing the profound consequences for both staff and students. We unpack the alarming statistics, with over 5,000 job cu…

1
Nursery Expansion in Schools: Promises Kept or Promises Broken? 11:23

15d ago11:23

11:23

Join us for the latest announcement from the Labour Government regarding the roll-out of school-based nursery capital grants. Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson outlines the ambitious plan to open and expand nurseries in primary schools, backed by £37 million in funding for an initial 300 schools, aiming for 3,000 new nurseries in …

1
BSL Week: Amplifying Deaf Voices in Parliament 17:49

16d ago17:49

17:49

This episode explores the vibrant discussions during British Sign Language Week in the UK Parliament. We listen in as Members of Parliament examine the significance of BSL as a language, culture, and cornerstone of the deaf community's identity. The conversation unpacks the progress made since the British Sign Language Act 2022, while also shining …

1
The Weekend Briefing: passport queues, AI in government, the cladding scandal and more. 12:26

17d ago12:26

12:26

The Bench Report Weekend Briefing presents a summary of our topics discussed in episodes this past week and beyond We begin with the question of dedicated UK passport queues and the government's focus on efficiency over national identity. The briefing then addresses the ongoing UK cladding scandal, highlighting slow progress and significant cost in…

1
REWIND: MPs' Expenses Overhaul: The Kelly Report & the Future of Allowances 13:47

19d ago13:47

13:47

This REWIND episode delves into a significant moment in UK parliamentary history: the House of Commons statement on the Kelly Report, which proposed a new framework for MPs' expenses and allowances. Following public anger over past claims, the report aimed to restore trust and confidence in Parliament. Listen to the key points as Harriet Harman, th…

1
AI in Government: Opportunities and Obstacles 15:06

20d ago15:06

15:06

Join us as we explore the intricate world of Artificial Intelligence within the UK government. This episode investigates the findings of the Committee of Public Accounts' report on the use of AI in the public sector. We examine the immense potential of AI to revolutionise public services, from automating routine tasks and boosting efficiency to lev…

1
UK Transport Talk: Growth, Grievances & Green Goals 15:06

21d ago15:06

15:06

Join us for an engaging exploration into the heart of UK transport policy as we unpack the recent House of Commons Transport Questions session from March 27, 2025. We'll examine the government's strong emphasis on transport's role in driving economic growth, alongside the myriad of concerns and debates raised by MPs. From the sticky issue of the Ga…

1
Unsafe Homes: The Cladding Crisis examined 15:01

22d ago15:01

15:01

Join us as we explore the ongoing crisis surrounding dangerous cladding in residential buildings, years after the Grenfell Tower disaster. We examine the latest report from the Committee of Public Accounts, uncovering the sheer scale of the problem, now estimated to affect 9,000 to 12,000 buildings and potentially 3 million people. Discover why pro…

1
Scunthorpe Steel Crisis: The Future of UK Steel 10:46

23d ago10:46

10:46

An emergency episoide of 'The Bench Report today as we explore the critical debate in Parliament surrounding the future of Scunthorpe Steelworks following British Steel's worrying announcement of potential blast furnace closures and job losses. We examine the government's immediate response to support affected workers and their conditional offer of…

1
PE & School Sport: Funding, access and targets 18:48

23d ago18:48

18:48

LISTENER REQUEST EPISODE! Our producer Tom plays (well, tries to play) football each week, as do his children. One of Tom's team-mates is a PE teacher, who, when chatting about Tom's crazy podcast idea, asked (demanded) to know to what the government are doing about the lack of playing fields for his pupils. So...this one's for you, Mr Harrision! W…

1
REWIND: Article 50 Triggered: Inside the Historic Brexit Debate 16:09

26d ago16:09

16:09

Join us as we delve into the momentous day the UK formally triggered Article 50, beginning the process of leaving the European Union. This episode takes you inside the House of Commons as Prime Minister Theresa May delivers her statement and faces a barrage of questions from MPs across the political spectrum. Hear the key arguments, the hopes for a…

1
Down Syndrome Act 2022: Understanding the Guidance and the Fight for Progress 18:13

27d ago18:13

18:13

EXTRA: includes an overview of other notable issues debated in the Commons recently. The Down Syndrome Act 2022 aims to ensure public authorities in England, like the NHS, social care, education, and housing, meet the specific needs of individuals with Down syndrome. This episode delves into the crucial guidance associated with the Act, exploring i…

1
Horizon Scandal Redress: Government Response Under Scrutiny 14:02

28d ago14:02

14:02

This episode delves into the latest developments in the Post Office Horizon scandal redress process, examining the Government's response to the Business and Trade Committee's critical report. We unpack the key recommendations made by the Committee and analyse which have been accepted, partially accepted, or rejected by the Department for Business a…

1
UK Airport Queues: Should Brits Get Their Own Passport Lines? 10:48

29d ago10:48

10:48

Essential listeng for the Easter and Summer holidays! This episode of 'The Bench Report' will provide you with a quick understanding of the discussions surrounding dedicated passport lines for British passport holders at UK airports, as detailed in recent parliamentary questions. Explore the debate around dedicated passport lines for British citize…

1
Public Sector Productivity: Has Working From Home Changed Everything? 12:54

1M ago12:54

12:54

Is working from home helping or hindering the public sector? Join us as we delve into a lively debate in the House of Lords about the impact of remote working on productivity. With public sector productivity still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels, questions are being raised about whether the surge in working from home is a contributing factor. We…

1
REWIND: UK Coronavirus Bill: Emergency Powers, NHS Support & Civil Liberties Debate 16:16

1M ago16:16

16:16

Our first Bench Report REWIND explores the UK Parliament's Second Reading of the Coronavirus Bill, a piece of legislation enacted to tackle the unprecedented public health emergency. We delve into the extraordinary measures proposed by our decision makers in government. We examine the justification for these unprecedented peacetime measures, includ…

1
Grassroots Sport - Funding and Facilities. 13:09

1M ago13:09

13:09

Ahead of the weekend, we ask what is the state of grassroots sports in the UK? Join us for an in-depth look at recent parliamentary discussions focusing on the financial lifeline and essential facilities for local sports clubs, with a particular emphasis on football. In this episode, we dissect the key concerns raised by Members of Parliament regar…

1
Clearing the Air - Unpacking the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 21:09

1M ago21:09

21:09

While everyone may be talking about the Chancellor's Spring Statement earlier today, our misson at 'The Bench Report' is to highlight other debates and committees that may go unheralded, but are extremely important. Today we look at the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, a landmark piece of legislation aiming to create a smokefree generation in the UK. We unp…

1
SPECIAL REPORT: UK Cyber Security Under Scrutiny - Ransomware, Russia, and Local Authority Defence 13:50

1M ago13:50

13:50

A subject very relevant after the recent cyber security leak in the US government! BBC News - Trump's national security team's chat app leak stuns Washington This episode examines the government's ongoing efforts to bolster the nation's digital defences against a growing array of threats. We analyse the latest progress in strengthening cyber securi…

1
SEND Funding Crisis: Urgent Reforms Needed Across the UK? 17:04

1M ago17:04

17:04

The current state of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding in the UK is under intense scrutiny, with calls for urgent reform and increased financial support. This episode delves into a recent parliamentary discussion highlighting the challenges faced by local authorities and the experiences of families and schools. The Labour go…

1
The Bench Report: An Introduction 8:53

1M ago8:53

8:53

Welcome to the introductory episode of 'The Bench Report!' UK politics then and now, straight from the benches. We're here to make debates from the Commons and the Lords more accessible to everyone and hold our government a bit more accountable. We delve into Hansard, the official record of parliamentary debate in the UK, which is publicly availabl…

1
Spring Statement 2025: Decoding the UK's Economic Outlook 16:13

1M ago16:13

16:13

Tune in to this episode for a deep dive into the upcoming Spring Statement 2025, where the Chancellor will respond to the latest economic and public finances forecast from the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), due on 26 March 2025. While the Spring Statement was initially expected to be a response to the OBR's forecast, there's sp…

1
Rare Cancers: A Bill of Hope and the Fight for Fair Treatment 17:51

1M ago17:51

17:51

This episode of 'The Bench Report' delves into the passionate and moving debate surrounding the Rare Cancers Bill, a crucial piece of legislation aiming to address the disparities faced by individuals diagnosed with less common cancers. Discover why so-called "rare" cancers collectively account for nearly half of all cancer diagnoses and over half …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Bench Report PUK Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
The Bench Report

The Bench Report UK

1
English Football Governance: The New Regulatory Framework 13:46

1
Trail Hunting Under Scrutiny: Ban on the Horizon? 12:43

1
PIP and Carer's Allowance Changes 11:38

1
Landline Revolution: Unpacking the UK's Big Digital Phone Switch 23:19

1
Driving the Electric Revolution: Licence Changes for Zero Emission Vehicles 13:52

1
University Finances Under Fire: Exploring the Crisis in UK Higher Education and Its Impact on Jobs 15:31

1
Nursery Expansion in Schools: Promises Kept or Promises Broken? 11:23

1
BSL Week: Amplifying Deaf Voices in Parliament 17:49

1
The Weekend Briefing: passport queues, AI in government, the cladding scandal and more. 12:26

1
REWIND: MPs' Expenses Overhaul: The Kelly Report & the Future of Allowances 13:47

1
AI in Government: Opportunities and Obstacles 15:06

1
UK Transport Talk: Growth, Grievances & Green Goals 15:06

1
Unsafe Homes: The Cladding Crisis examined 15:01

1
Scunthorpe Steel Crisis: The Future of UK Steel 10:46

1
PE & School Sport: Funding, access and targets 18:48

1
REWIND: Article 50 Triggered: Inside the Historic Brexit Debate 16:09

1
Down Syndrome Act 2022: Understanding the Guidance and the Fight for Progress 18:13

1
Horizon Scandal Redress: Government Response Under Scrutiny 14:02

1
UK Airport Queues: Should Brits Get Their Own Passport Lines? 10:48

1
Public Sector Productivity: Has Working From Home Changed Everything? 12:54

1
REWIND: UK Coronavirus Bill: Emergency Powers, NHS Support & Civil Liberties Debate 16:16

1
Grassroots Sport - Funding and Facilities. 13:09

1
Clearing the Air - Unpacking the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 21:09

1
SPECIAL REPORT: UK Cyber Security Under Scrutiny - Ransomware, Russia, and Local Authority Defence 13:50

1
SEND Funding Crisis: Urgent Reforms Needed Across the UK? 17:04

1
The Bench Report: An Introduction 8:53

1
Spring Statement 2025: Decoding the UK's Economic Outlook 16:13

1
Rare Cancers: A Bill of Hope and the Fight for Fair Treatment 17:51