UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivers her first Budget. This recording is unabridged and without additional comment.
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Five countries were recognised as nuclear weapon states under the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty: the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China. Other states now with nuclear weapons include India, Pakistan and North Korea — and Israel is thought to have them too. Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite but was appalled at the thought that he would be remembered as leaving such a deadly legacy, would be pleased with the Nobel Committee's decision to issue such a clear warning against any future use of nuclear weapons. Background music: 'Sarabande' by Joel Cummins Image source: Wikipedia
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UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves presents her first Budget on Wednesday 30th October after a major spending review. Her election commitments on tax rates and the priority she has given to restoring growth will limit the scope for raising further revenues, but there's plenty of room for re-balancing health spending by introducing mandatory health insurance for wealthy old folk. The balance between what comes in and what goes out is a struggle for almost all western democracies: in the United States, debt interest accounts for 76% of income tax receipts. In the UK it's 36%: still high, and that's notwithstanding the impact of frozen tax thresholds causing higher receipts, which would act to reduce that percentage. Background music: 'People Watching' by Sir Cubworth
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
In our fast-moving world, priorities are often distracted: issues which require long-term focus often lose out as a result. Unscrupulous marketeers are well aware of this, and the New Weather Institute has published a report showing how fossil fuel giants are using sport sponsorship in order to divert our attention from the need to address climate change. Background music: 'Hovering Thoughts' by Spence
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
In a House of Lords debate on the continuing conflict in Sudan, Archbishop Justin Welby called for a long-term plan towards peace building. The need for that is just as acute in Ukraine and, using all his considerable skills in reconciliation, he could open the door to a pathway to peace by going to meet Patriarch Kirill in Moscow. Thus far Kirill has given steadfast spiritual support to Putin, but is this in keeping with the Christian faith? How can the clear instruction to 'love your enemies' be reconciled with the continuing devastation and anguish in Ukraine and the abduction of more than 20,000 children? Background music: 'Confliction & Catharsis' by Asher Fulero
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Pope Francis calls for more focus on children, suggesting that in many countries pets take preference. If the hard-won values of gender equality are to benefit generations well into the future, western democracies need to help young people towards family formation. His comments may have been prompted by the collapse in Italian fertility rates to just 1.3 birth per woman: well below the 2.1 needed for a stable population. Background music: 'Young And Old Know Love' Puddle of Infinity
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It's been a long wait for summer this year, and we need to search for glimmers of hope as we approach the new political/economic/academic year. One such is the significant rise in Maths 'A' level entries, which will help young people find good careers. Another is the 0.25% reduction in interest rates: a cautious and close-run decision in times of considerable turbulence. Real interest rates are still 3%, so there's a long way to go. If the current rash of street riots allow it, we need to use the few weeks of summer calm to reflect on the big issues holding us back, including how to achieve a world without poverty. Background music: 'Solar Power' by Ashley Shadow
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The new Chancellor of the Exchequer's speech to the House of Commons on 29th July 2024, unabridged and as delivered.
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The State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday 17th July was somewhat of a watershed after fourteen years of Conservative governments. Here is the unabridged King's Speech, encapsulating in just over twelve minutes the priorities of the new Labour Government. Image source: Daily Express. Background music following the speech: 'Pastorale' by Joel Cummins
Guests: King Charles III
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Sport is not only a good way to celebrate national identity but also a great way to celebrate human convergence; football is one of the best in this respect, where we see teams comprised of so many different ethnicities representing so many different countries. Just as regional identity is something to celebrate within countries, so also is national identity something to celebrate in a global context. But this doesn't mean turning countries into fortresses, and the United Nations needs to play a more prominent role in converging governance. Background music: 'India Fuse' by French Fuse
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