The Bench Report
🇬🇧 Making UK politics accessible & accountable
🗣️Debates and briefings direct from Parliament
đź“ť Source: Hansard
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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 contact producer Tom (me) and he'll 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
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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
117 episodes
Mandatory Digital ID: Balancing Control, Security, and Freedom in the UK
The UK Government has a plan to introduce a new, free digital ID for citizens and legal residents over 16. Proponents argue the system will give people greater control over their lives and data, modernising public services to be more effective ...
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Season 4
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Episode 15
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5:58
Scotland Devolution at 25: Successes, Failures, and the Path Ahead
Today we recognise the 25th anniversary of devolution in Scotland, analyzing its successes and failures within the system of "multi-level governance". Speakers reflect on the Scottish Parliament's establishment in 1999, realizing the "settled w...
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Season 4
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Episode 14
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6:08
Korean War 75th Anniversary: Honouring UK Heroes and the Glosters' Defence
This episode commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, focusing on the crucial role of British servicemen. The UK provided the second-largest military contribution to the United Nations Command, with over 1,100 British lives lost. We...
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Season 4
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Episode 13
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5:39
UK Post-16 Education Overhaul: V-Levels, Skills, and the Future of Technical Training
The UK Government is launching a new Post-16 Education and Skills Strategy to transform education in response to global changes, including the rise of AI and green energy. The strategy introduces V-levels, a new vocational qualification ...
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Season 4
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Episode 12
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5:47
Stroke Recovery Crisis: Why UK Rehab Services Are Failing Survivors
There are urgent challenges facing the 1.4 million stroke survivors in the UK. Speakers highlight that stroke is the leading cause of complex adult disability. The core theme is the severe lack of accessible community rehabilitation, often desc...
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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5:56
Protecting the Family Farm: The Inheritance Tax Battle over APR and BPR in Northern Ireland
There was a high-stakes parliamentary debate recently regarding proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) starting in April 2025. There are concerns that these reforms threaten the s...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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6:59
Self-Driving Revolution: Safety, Accessibility, and the Future of UK Transport
This episode explores the transformative potential of Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) in the UK, focusing on safety, accessibility, and economic growth. CAVs are projected to drastically improve road safety by avoiding up to 88% of coll...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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5:12
Ada Lovelace: Computer Pioneer, STEM Visionary, and Closing the Gender Gap
Discover the legacy of Ada Lovelace (b. 1815), the visionary mathematician recognized as a pioneer of computer science. She foresaw the Analytical Engine's potential as a general-purpose computer, capable of manipulating values beyond nu...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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5:55
NHS Cancer Crisis: Workforce Shortages, Waiting Times, and the Fight for Early Diagnosis
Critical staff shortages throughout the NHS—affecting specialists like radiologists, oncologists, and nurses—are significantly hindering cancer care. Workforce gaps contribute to severe delays in diagnosis and treatment, causing the UK to routi...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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6:36
School Attendance Fines vs. Family Wellbeing: The Debate Over Term-Time Holidays
Taking family holidays during the school term? Signatories argue that "predatory pricing" by holiday companies makes travel during official school breaks unaffordable, forcing parents to risk fines. While attendance is crucial for attainment—mi...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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5:56
COP30: Why Transforming Global Food Systems is Crucial for Climate and Security
There is a critical connection between global food systems and the escalating climate crisis. Unsustainable agriculture drives high emissions (around 30% globally), biodiversity loss (up to 60%), and deforestation, threatening national food sec...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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5:28
The ÂŁ360M Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund: Devolution, Disputes, and the Future of UK Fisheries
The UK Government announced the ÂŁ360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund (FCGF) to support the fishing and seafood sectors, focusing on sustainability, profitability, and coastal regeneration over the next 12 years. The fund is desig...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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6:12
Preventable Tragedies: Why UK Tree Maintenance Needs Chris's Law
Inadequate tree maintenance by local authorities is a critical issue. We focus on the tragic, preventable death of Chris Hall in 2020, killed by a decayed tree limb in Wilmslow. The responsible council, Cheshire East, was fined ÂŁ500,000 for fai...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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7:49
Community Power & Investment: Unpacking the Labour Government's ÂŁ5 Billion Pride in Place Programme
The Labour Government's £5 billion "Pride in Place" programme is designed to drive Britain’s renewal in every neighbourhood. The core mission is to restore local identity and belonging, reversing 14 years of decline and austerity. The strategy ...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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6:21
The Exam Crisis: Why Educational Assessment Reform is Crucial for Youth Mental Health
This episode explores the urgent need for educational assessment reform due to the profound impact high-stakes exams have on youth mental health. Current assessments, including SATs and concentrated end-of-course exams, are linked to overwhelmi...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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5:56
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 ÂŁ1.8 billion to the economy and ÂŁ300 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
