Sophy Ridge On Sunday

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab reckons the government is on the 'cusp' of an agreement to change the Northern Ireland protocol - the agreement, negotiated during Brexit talks, which allows goods to move across the border between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland without needing checks. On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, we also hear the thoughts of Mark Francois, who chairs the European Research Group (ERG) of Conservative Eurosceptic MPs. Also, we hear from Mr Raab on the bullying claims made against him, tougher rules for transgender prisoners and the courts backlog in England and Wales.Plus, Sophy interviews former US presidential candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders.On the podcast joining Sophy with analysis of this week’s interviews is senior associate editor at the New Statesman, Rachel Cunliffe, and programme producer, Scott Beasley.Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Paul Stanworth - editor

But, just as Westminster had thought Boris Johnson was out of the picture, sources tell Sky News he thinks it would be a "great mistake drop the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill", controversial legislation which allows UK ministers to rip up parts of the protocol and ignore EU rules. On this episode, Trevor Phillips is joined by The Scotsman's Westminster correspondent Alexander Brown to analyse interviews with Leader of House Penny Mordaunt and Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.Plus, former Northern Ireland Secretary under Tony Blair, Lord Peter Mandelson, and the leader of Northern Ireland's Alliance Party, Naomi Long. Podcast producer - David Chipakupaku  Editor - Paul Stanworth

As the death toll from the earthquake in Syria and Turkey continues to rise, Development Minister Andrew Mitchell defends the governments cuts to the international aid budget as Conservative MP John Redwood calls for tax cuts at home.Plus, SNP MP John Nicolson and member of the DCMS select committee says Richard Sharp’s position is no longer tenable after a report critical of the BBC chairman’s connections to former prime minister Boris Johnson is published. On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, Sophy is joined by political correspondent Liz Bates to analyse the interviews. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Paul Stanworth

Liz Truss has broken her silence after resigning, becoming the shortest serving prime minister in UK history. In a 4,000 word essay, the former PM defended her controversial economic policies and said she didn't get a "realistic chance". On the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, Sophy is joined by Camilla Turner, chief political correspondent at The Telegraph who broke the story, and producer Scott Beasley. They react to the prime minister's comments, as well as unpack the reaction from today's guests. Plus Sophy, Camilla and Scott discuss the dangers of TikTok, after Foreign Affairs Committee chair Alicia Kearns warns Sophy to delete the social media app.Show Editor: Scott Beasley Podcast Producer: Emma Rae WoodhousePodcast Editor: Philly Beaumont

Nadhim Zahawi has been sacked as Tory party chairman after an ethics inquiry into the handling of his tax affairs found a "serious breach" of the ministerial code. On the podcast, Sophy is joined by Rachel Cunliffe, senior associate editor of the New Statesman, and producer Scott Beasley to react to the news. Programme Editor: Scott Beasley Podcast Producer: Soila Apparicio Podcast Editor: Paul Stanworth

The foreign secretary, James Cleverly, avoids answering questions on the latest 'sleaze' allegations to hit the Conservative Party – from Boris Johnson’s £800,000 loan to Party chair and former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi’s tax affairs. Plus, General Secretary of Unite the Union, Sharon Graham accuses the government of lying about negotiating to end strikes. Sophy is joined by The Daily Mirror’s political editor, John Stevens and show editor Scott Beasley to discuss both explosive interviews. Show Editor: Scott BeasleyPodcast Producer: Rosie Gillott Podcast Editor: Philly Beaumont

As further strikes take place across the country this week, the Royal College of Nursing has threatened its biggest walkout in England next month unless talks with the government progress soon. At the same time, Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer has warned the NHS will “die” without drastic change. But it’s not just industrial action in the health service the government is up against; teachers plan to walk out in February too and rows across the transport network are among those ongoing. Is there a way forward to end strikes across different areas of the public sector? And do unions think Labour have a better plan for the health service? On this edition of the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, interviews with transport secretary Mark Harper, Labour’s shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle and chair of the British Medical Association, Dr Philip Banfield – plus, analysis with Sky’s political correspondent Liz Bates and show editor Scott Beasley. Also, Sophy interviews Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko after a deadly

How much does your MP earn, on top of their salary, and where does the money come from?For years, many stories have come out of Westminster that have seen MPs wrestling with money - the expenses scandal, cash for questions, the Owen Paterson saga - and time after time, politicians have promised to make changes.But a Sky News investigation with Tortoise Media has pulled together the details of the money that is still flowing around politics, with MPs making £17.1m on top of their salaries in this parliament (i.e. since 2019). Around two-thirds of that money has gone to just 20 MPs.On this edition of the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast, our deputy political editor Sam Coates joins Sophy and show editor Scott Beasley to talk through the Westminster Accounts project, and why it matters.Elsewhere, with Labour continuing to hold a lead in the polls, the party's leader Sir Keir Starmer sits down with Sophy for his first big interview of 2023, outlining his plans for the country, should he win the next election.Plus, b

“More people will die” this winter due to strikes, Dr Emma Runswick, the deputy chair of the British Medical Association council, has warned. James Cleverly, the foreign secretary, says the health secretary’s door is open for talks but repeatedly told the Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme that negotiation on pay was down to independent pay review bodies. Meanwhile, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting says he's willing to engage with unions but isn't prepared to "just accept lower standards for patients".On the podcast today, Jayne Secker - in for Sophy this week - is joined by Scott Beasley, the show’s producer, and Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, political correspondent for the Financial Times. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Dave Terris – editor

The government could use the army to help ease the disruptions caused by possible public sector strikes, Conservative Party Chairman Nadhim Zahawi told Sky’s Sophy Ridge. Sophy is joined by Sebastian Payne, Whitehall Editor at the Financial Times, to analyse Zahawi’s comments. Also, Sophy and Sebastian discuss German ambassador to the UK Miguel Berger’s suggestion that Germany does not see a fundamental change in the Russian position amid the war in Ukraine. Podcast producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Paul Stanworth

Sophy Ridge with some of the week's biggest political interviews – plus, analysis of what her guests have had to say.This week she interviews Transport Secretary Mark Harper who is quizzed on strikes – who says inflation matching pay-rises for public sector workers are unaffordable. Shadow housing secretary Lisa Nandy also talks strikes – as well as hitting out at the government’s "back of a fag packet" immigration policies. Plus former FA chairman, Greg Dyke, gives his take on the Qatar World Cup controversy. Joining Sophy to unpack all of this is Sky’s political correspondent Liz Bates – and they start by discussing Matt Hancock reaching the final of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Sophy Ridge with some of the week's biggest political interviews – plus, analysis of what her guests have had to say. Sophy speaks to Health Secretary Steve Barclay about the planned strike by nurses and winter pressures on the NHS. Mr Barclay says demands from the Royal College of Nursing for an above-inflation pay rise are "unreasonable".Shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth calls for more talks about the strike. Plus, social housing activist Kwajo Tweneboa joins Sophy to discuss the story of Awaab Ishak – the two-year old boy who died from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to mould in his family's flat.To discuss those interviews for the podcast, Sophy is joined by Daily Mirror political editor John Stevens and programme producer Scott Beasley.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt promises "we’re all going to be paying a bit more tax" ahead of his autumn statement but promises his budget statement "won’t just be bad news". On this episode Sophy is joined by the Daily Telegraph's associate editor Christopher Hope to examine her interview with Mr Hunt as well as former minister and Liz Truss-backer Simon Clarke, who urged the government to focus on spending cuts rather than tax rises. Producer: Scott Beasley Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, on the economy, threat of strikes and new Cabinet Office minister Sir Gavin Williamson facing bullying claims. Plus, Labour MP Paul Blomfield talks about his decade-long campaign for a change in the law to allow assisted dying, after his 87-year-old father Harry took his own life following a terminal cancer diagnosis.We also hear from Dr Mark Pickering, from the organisation Care Not Killing, which promotes palliative care. Sophy is joined by Sky News' political correspondent Liz Bates and producer Scott Beasley to talk through her big interviews. WARNING: This podcast features discussion about suicide. If you need to speak to someone, call the Samaritans helpline for free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.orgSROS producer: Scott Beasley Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Editor: Paul Stanworth

Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove, has apologised for the Tories installing Liz Truss as leader. "We made a mistake. We took the wrong turn," he tells Sophy Ridge. Also, Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper says it is "irresponsible" to have a home secretary in Suella Braverman who "isn't trusted by the security service," and Ukrainian MP Inna Sovsun on how she talks to her son about the threat of nuclear war. Sophy is joined by Sky News' political correspondent Liz Bates and producer Scott Beasley to talk through her big interviews. SROS Producer: Scott Beasley Podcast Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Paul Stanworth

Liz Truss is out of Number 10 – and by next Sunday, we’ll have a completely new Prime Minister in her place. Will Rishi Sunak head back to Downing Street? Does Penny Mordaunt have a shot instead? And will Boris Johnson decide, three months after resigning, to try to get his old job back?On this episode, Sophy is joined by our political correspondent Liz Bates and producer Scott Beasley to look over the interviews with a supporter of each of the candidates – Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker for Rishi Sunak; his boss, Chris Heaton-Harris, for Boris Johnson; and former deputy under Theresa May, Damian Green, for Penny Mordaunt.This episode was produced by David Chipakupaku.The editor was Paul Stanworth.

Conservative MP Robert Halfon tells Sophy Ridge that some in the Conservative Party have looked like "libertarian jihadists" over the past few weeks and have treated the country "like laboratory mice"The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Griffith, says that Liz Truss still has the support of her government despite the economic turmoil.Sophy is joined by Sky News' political correspondent Rob Powell and producer Scott Beasley to talk through her big interviews.

After a bruising few weeks for Liz Truss, and warnings that Britain may face blackouts this winter, Trevor Phillips steps in for this week's Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast.On this episode, Trevor is joined by Sky News' political correspondent Rob Powell, to examine his interviews with Cabinet Office Minister Nadhim Zahawi MP, and Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Ashworth.Plus, we hear from the SNP's Angus Robertson on the future of the Scottish indpendence movement, and the Royal College of Nursing's General Secretary Pat Cullen, as nurses debate whether to strike.Podcast producers - Emma Rae Woodhouse and David ChipakupakuEditor - Paul Stanworth

The Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast comes from Birmingham this week, where the Conservative's party conference is taking place. On this episode, Sophy is joined by our political correspondent Liz Bates and producer Scott Beasley as they discuss the continued fallout from the government’s fiscal event as well as today's interviews - featuring Conservative Party Chairman Jake Berry on attending a drinks reception with the Chancellor as the markets crashed, plus Conservative Mayor of the West Midland Andy Street and Chair of the Treasury Select Committee Mel Stride. Editor - Paul Stanworth Podcast producer - Rosie Gillott

The Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast comes from Liverpool this week, where Labour’s party conference is taking place. On this episode, Sophy is joined by our political correspondent Liz Bates as they discuss reaction to the Tories’ mini-budget from new Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and fears over potential general strike action as well as today’s interviews – featuring Labour's Energy and Climate Change Secretary and former party leader Ed Miliband, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, trade union general secretaries Christina McAnea, from Unison, and Mick Lynch, from the RMT. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Paul Stanworth – editor