Sophy Ridge On Sunday

Sophy Ridge is back after the summer recess to a busy week in politics, interviewing Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, former chancellor Philip Hammond, and former adviser to Boris Johnson Lord Edward Lister. The day before a new prime minister is chosen by Conservative party members, Sophy is joined by Sky’s political correspondent Amanda Akass and producer Scott Beasley to discuss the fractures in the Tory party, and analysis of today’s interviews. Producers: Soila Apparicio and Scott Beasley

Tory leadership debates got underway this week, as the race to become the next prime minister sees five candidates battle it out – Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Penny Mordaunt, Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat. Sophy Ridge is joined by Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell and editor Toby Sculthorp as they discuss interviews with those backing three of the hopefuls looking for the keys to Number 10. Also, a reminder that on Sky News this Tuesday at 8pm, Kay Burley will host a leadership debate, with the final Tory candidates taking part.Host: Sophy Ridge Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Editor: Paul Stanworth

Interviews with three Conservative leadership hopefuls: Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat and former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Sophy and team on discussions of tax and spending plans from three of those hoping to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister.Host: Sophy RidgeContributors: Scott Beasley & Toby SculthorpProducer: Scott Beasley

Interviews with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and RMT union General Secretary Mick Lynch. This week we’re focusing on the nationwide train strikes that will see mass disruption as railway workers walkout to demand big pay rises given the cost of living crisis.Host: Sophy RidgeContributors: Scott Beasley & Toby SculthorpProducer: Scott Beasley

Interviews with Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis, RMT trade union general secretary Mick Lynch and Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik. There are discussions about the Prime Minister’s future following the Sue Gray report, the potential for a nationwide rail strike and an extremely powerful account of what has happened to Ukraine and its people.Host: Sophy RidgeContributors: Rob Powell and Scott BeasleyProducer: Scott Beasley

Interviews with Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi and Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko. Sophy and Scott talk through discussions over Sue Gray’s Partygate report, the cost of living crisis and a very powerful account of the situation in Ukraine.Host: Sophy RidgeContributor: Scott BeasleyProducer: Scott Beasley

Interviews with Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, Shadow Climate Change Secretary & former Labour leader Ed Miliband and Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney. Sophy and Scott talk through discussions over the Northern Ireland Protocol and the cost of living crisis - all with the backdrop of Ukraine winning Eurovision.Host: Sophy RidgeContributor: Scott BeasleyProducer: Scott Beasley

Post-election interviews with Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, Labour’s Lisa Nandy and Lib Dem Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper. There are discussions of local elections across Great Britain plus the historic result in Northern Ireland where Sinn Fein topped the polls – and the possibility of the Lib Dems in coalition.Host: Sophy RidgeContributor: Scott BeasleyProducer: Scott Beasley

A pre-election special featuring interviews with Labour leader Keir Starmer, First Minister of Scotland and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and the Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng. There's discussions of sexual misconduct at Westminster, the cost of living crisis and independence for Scotland.Host: Sophy RidgeContributor: Scott BeasleyProducer: Scott Beasley

The Conservative MP, who came out as trans, talks exclusively to Sky’s Sophy Ridge about the start of his transition process. Jamie Wallis, who represents Bridgend, also discusses the support he's had and admits the process ahead will be 'challenging and difficult.' He also speaks about his experiences of rape and blackmail.Presenter: Sophy RidgeProducer: Scott BeasleyPodcast producer: Paul Stanworth

With shocking reports from parts of Ukraine where Russian troops have withdrawn Sophy and team have an interview with the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps – who also defends the government’s record on tackling the cost of living crisis. There’s a discussion of the Shrewsbury maternity care scandal with Conservative MP Alicia Kearns and an interview with a public health expert on the ground in Ukraine about access to lifesaving HIV drugs.Host: Sophy RidgeContributors: Scott Beasley & Toby SculthorpProducer: Scott Beasley

As the war in Ukraine enters its second month Sophy and team have interviews focused on the big topics at home and overseas. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi delicately responds to President Biden's call for Vladimir Putin to go - and talks about his plan for schools. Labour's Jonathan Ashworth calls the Chancellor 'Mr Tax' and there's a powerful interview with Ukrainian MP Maria Mezentseva.Host: Sophy RidgeContributors: Scott Beasley & Toby SculthorpProducer: Scott Beasley

Sophy and team are back to discuss her interview with Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who says sanctions against Russia "are not cost free for us" and that he "can't pretend I can completely protect people from the difficult times ahead". Also, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna, tells Sophy Russia is committing genocide in her country. Host: Sophy RidgeContributors: Scott Beasley & Toby SculthorpProducer: Scott Beasley

Health Secretary Matt Hancock says if the Indian variant is 50% more transmissible than the Kent variant, it will cause "problems" for the lockdown easing roadmap. He says local lockdowns could return, and defends the government against the charge that it was too slow to stop travel from India. Sir Mark Walport, former Chief Scientific Adviser, raises concerns about Monday's easing of restrictions. Adam Finn of the JCVI says the Astra-Zeneca vaccine could now be given to under-40s.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss insists the Prime Minister hasn't broken any rules around the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat. Labour's Jess Phillips calls for a full investigation. Philanthropist Bill Gates argues for vaccines to be sent to the developing world soon. He also criticises UK foreign aid cuts.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon defends her record on education, health and drug deaths. She calls out Alex Salmond for his "contemptuous" attitude to voters. U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry says the consequences will be "beyond catastrophic" without "urgent" action on climate change.

Sophy and her team discuss what Alex Salmond's new party 'Alba' will mean for the Scottish elections in May. Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says it poses a serious threat to the Union. Kenny MacAskill - who has defected to Alba from the SNP - says his new party aims to help his old.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says we “can’t be deaf and blind” to rising coronavirus cases abroad, insisting progress made by the UK’s vaccination programme can’t be put at risk. He says it’s vital the Government monitors the situation, and he responds to fears the spread of Covid-19 in Europe could put plans to holiday overseas this summer on hold.Concerns around restrictions at home are also gathering momentum, as a growing Conservative rebellion fights to prevent extending the emergency coronavirus laws until October.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says the government is considering longer school days and shorter holidays to help children catch up. Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman warns against the idea. Williamson says teachers will not get a pay rise. Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy and the SNP's Mhairi Black talk International Women's Day.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak strongly hints that the furlough scheme and other coronavirus support will be extended in the Budget. He refuses to deny he told Conservative colleagues that he plans to raise taxes now so he can cut them before the next election. He also warns that the public finances will have to be rebalanced. Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds will not say whether Labour would support a corporation tax rise.