Podcasts from The Bigger Picture

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.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University discusses the delicate balancing act being undertaken by Rishi Sunak. He looks at the battle to keep Hong Kong free under the rule of law and how important Hong Kong's special status is to China. And he explains why the British Army needs its own MeToo moment.

Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the Dominic Cummings' affair, the Government's response to what's happened and what it could mean for the public attitude to lockdown. He discusses the re-rollout of the track and trace scheme, at possible changes to the lockdown rules and at the economic cost of Covid-19.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at the lessons we can draw from past pandemics, remarking how similar attitudes are in the modern world to those of our ancestors. He discusses how the NHS must turbo-charge innovation if it is cope with the legacy of Covid-19. And he looks at the a little-reported decision of German's constitutional court that may have massive ramifications for the Euro and the EU.

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the Prime Minister's massively-watched announcement and the government's new messaging on Covid-19. He looks at the extension of the Job Retention Scheme, the lack of use of the NHS during the crisis, the approval of the new antibody test and disagreements in the United States over lifting pandemic restrictions.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at the UK's response to the Coronavirus and asks how it will be ranked, pointing out just how ignorant we still are about Covid-19. He considers how the NHS will manage to catch up with the colossal backlog of patients, hoping that some of the lockdown contingency practices might become more permanent. And he discusses what it is actually like to work in the UK's university sector.

Political commentator Mike Indian considers what difference it will make to control of the crisis having Boris Johnson back in harness. He considers the wisdom of Matt Hancock's testing target, where blame lies with the shortages of PPE, asks whether NHS bureaucracy will be cut back after the pandemic and marvels in how well the virtual Parliament has been working.