Will Burnham make us trust in politics again? Plus: Starmer’s Defence Investment Plan

Politics Uncensored

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Thursday, 2 July 2026 - 49 minutes

The Week Unwrapped:US-UK drug deal could result in 229,000 excess deaths in England, analysis suggestsA pharmaceutical trade deal between the UK and the US could lead to more than 200,000 avoidable deaths over the next decade, according to new analysis by the British Medical Journal. The agreement, struck last December, removed tariffs on UK pharmaceutical exports to the US but committed the NHS to higher spending on branded medicines. This could now see around £45 billion diverted away from NHS care towards purchasing new drugs. While ministers called it a “landmark deal”, critics say it amounts to “pacifying Donald Trump and big pharma’s demand for higher medicine prices.” Zoë and Ali unpack the pressure on the UK government from Donald Trump and the impact of Brexit on the pharmaceutical market. Refugees would be told to repay around £10,000 under new asylum billAsylum seekers will be required to repay up to £10,000 towards the cost of their accommodation and support once they start earning, under new government plans. The scheme, part of a revised Immigration and Asylum Bill introduced to Parliament on Tuesday, aims to recoup the cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels, HMOs and other accommodation. But critics say it will push the immigration system in a more restrictive direction. Zoë and Ali discuss why this legislation might be considered cruel and the government’s shifting messaging towards immigration. 250 years of American Independence This Saturday marks 250 years since the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence. But celebrations of the milestone have become politically divided. Congress created the bipartisan America250 Commission in 2016 to plan the anniversary. But upon returning to office last year, President Trump launched a rival organisation, Freedom 250. This weekend, the two groups are hosting separate celebrations: a Trump-led rally in Washington, D.C., while America250 is holding a concert in Los Angeles hosted by Queen Latifah. Zoë and Ali explore the political divisions and issues that the relatively young country continues to face.Plus: Breaking news whilst we were on air: Keir Starmer has passed emergency legislation to allow pubs in England and Wales to stay open until 5am on Monday for England’s World Cup match against Mexico! Let’s hope for celebrations, not commiserations!Burnham sets out Westminster Devolution visionOn Monday, Prime Minister-in-waiting, Andy Burnham, delivered his first major policy speech since winning the Makerfield by-election. Speaking at the People’s History Museum in Manchester, the former Mayor of the city set out his plans for the country if he becomes Prime Minister. His offer to the public centres on a major transfer of power from Westminster to local communities. Other pledges include reforming utilities, reindustrialisation, and a major push to build council housing. Burnham is on course to take over from Keir Starmer in just over two weeks’ time - but do his policies hold up? Zoë and Ali give their first impressions of Burnham’s speech, what ‘Manchester-ism’ might look like in practice and how he might get people to trust in politics again.Starmer unveils Defence Investment Plan On Wednesday, outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled his long-delayed Defence Investment Plan to the public. The plan sets out the UK’s defence budget, including targets for key weapons programmes. Since the resignation of defence secretary John Healey last month, the plan has been revised and extra spending over the next four years has increased to £15 billion. However, the plan is already becoming a political headache. Critics say it still falls well short of what is required and questions still remain over how it will be funded. Mason Boycott-Owen, Politico’s UK Defence Reporter, joins us to talk through what the deal entails, why defence is an increasing priority for the UK and the so-called black hole in funding that this will leave for Andy Burnham if he becomes PM. Guest: Mason Boycott Owen, UK Defence Reporter. You can find his most recent work here and follow him on ‘X’ here.Producer: Monica Lillis

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