Podcasts from The Bigger Picture presented by Simon Rose

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University examines the Government's ideas for reforming Britain's planning system and suggests what the ramifications might be for solving the country's housing problems. As an economist shows that the UK economy has been bouncing back faster than over comparable countries, he looks at a think tank's ideas for introducing e-businesses as a way of giving Britain a post-Covid boost.

Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the Government's obesity strategy and its decision to target junk food advertising. He considers the significance of the announced planning reforms, whether local lockdowns are the right way forward and tries to make sense of the COVID border policy. He also looks at the prospects for the American Presidential Election with three months to go.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at what the Covid-19 home-working revolution might mean to Britain's middle classes, who could find that their jobs no longer need to be done by people within the UK. He also considers what the changed work environment might mean to the status and role of London and the City. He also warns that we should be paying attention to the danger in the mounting tension between Australia and China.

Tim Price, director of Price Value Partners, looks at the government's response to the onset of Covid-19 and considers the likely effects of the economic measures taken. Wondering why equities have been so buoyant ahead of what he believes will be the worst economic depression anybody alive has experienced, he wonders why the mainstream media has been so unquestioning and why so little attention has been paid to the economic effects of lockdown. Although highly nervous of most stocks and bonds, he does offer suggestions for investors similarly concerned for the future.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at the decision to strip Huawei of its role in the 5G network in the UK in the light of previous knowledge of the Chinese government's malicious cyber campaign and theft of commercial data. He discusses how the left need to recapture their mojo and become more tolerant. And he examines the decision to make Liam Fox the UK candidate to lead the World Trade Organisation.

Political commentator Mike Indian looks at Rishi Sunak's latest min-Budget and gives his progress report on the Chancellor's achievements so far. He explains the departure of the country's most senior civil servant, Mark Sedwill and he assesses how Sir Keir Starmer is doing as the Opposition Leader. He also casts his eye across the Atlantic to the United States where Donald Trump's rival, Joe Biden, is now ahead in the polls.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University says that China has killed Hong Kong but that, in the long run, it might have caused itself serious problems. He looks at the change of direction of the Labour Party under Sir Keir Starmer. And he explains why the corporate world going woke is not necessarily all bad news for capitalism.

Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the latest relaxation of the lockdown rule and changes to social distancing. He discusses how toxic the allegations about Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick could be, how UK councils could face bankruptcy over Covid-19 and looks ahead to what we might expect from Rishi Sunak's next stimulus statement.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with the Department for International Development (DfID) and the reactions from across the political spectrum. He discusses Nick Clegg's work to fix Facebook and boost voter turnout in elections. And he explains why he believes that the word "new" is of such importance post Wave One of Covid-19 in this nation of shopkeepers.

Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the response to the Black Lives Matter protests and what it means for the study of history and our attitudes towards contentious figures of the past. He examines the latest government moves to ease lockdown, with schools being delayed returning until September, calls to cut social distancing below two metres and the delays to testing and the track & trace app. He also looks at the furore over minister Robert Jenrick.