“Our economic emergency has only just begun”. That was how the Chancellor Rishi Sunak kicked off his 2020 Spending Review.

There were some sobering forecasts from the Treasury’s independent forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility - the worst hit to GDP this year since 1709 - a deficit of £394bn of GDP this year (almost 20% of the entire economy).

Plus some very politically controversial decisions - a cash freeze in the pay of many public sector workers - a cut in the foreign aid budget.

Economics Editor Bn Chu is joined by Political Editor Andrew Woodcock and Business Reporter Ben Chapman to break down what the Chancellor announced.

Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support 

Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President-elect Joe Biden gave a widely praised victory speech in the US presidential race on Saturday night, while Donald Trump continued to deny the results.

Looking back over President Trump's term though, has he achieved what he promised?

Host Lucie McInerney and Washington DC Bureau Chief John T Bennett look back to Trump's victory speech in 2016.

An address he never thought he'd have to give, the speech was free of the divisive language we've come to associate with his presidency.

From congratulating Hillary Clinton on her campaign to promising to be a president for all Americans, his words are barely recognizable four years on.

Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support 

Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US election is just days away, but already millions of Americans have cast their vote.

Mail-in voting has been a controversial topic during this campaign season and quickly became a key area for both candidates to focus on.

Host Lucie McInerney is joined by Senior US Correspondent Richard Hall who has been travelling the length and breadth of America speaking to voters ahead of polling day.

Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support 

Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week The Independent's award winning health correspondent Shaun Lintern published multiple stories revealing claims that world famous surgeon Derek McMinn has spent the last 25 years storing more than 5,000 samples of body parts.

According to a leaked report staff at Edgbaston Hospital were aware of Mr McMinn's behaviour and went as far as aiding him in his efforts.

Shaun also revealed, via an investigation that was leaked to The Independent, that Mr McMinn may have put the health of patients at risk, in an apparent effort to maximize profits, having them heavily sedated so he perform two operations simultaneously.

Shaun talks through his findings in this episode with deputy editor David Marley.

You can read Shaun's full reports here:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/derek-mcminn-surgeon-body-parts-edgbaston-hospital-birmingham-b647226.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/derek-mcminn-surgeon-bones-scandal-sedation-operations-b718918.html

Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support 

Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As possible signs of life have been discovered on Venus, we are closer than ever in answering the age old question: are we alone in the universe?

With our neighbouring planet being host to a rare gas in its atmosphere, could this mean alien life existing in our solar system? And if so, in what form?

To find out more about this breakthrough discovery, Ben Kelly is joined by technology editor and science reporter Andrew Griffin to discuss whether the traditional extraterrestrial might be closer to reality than science fiction, and what this breakthrough means for the future of space exploration.

Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support 

Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it a great deal or an awful deal? We've heard both from the prime minister on the EU Withdrawal Agreement.

The grand finale for Brexit is here as negotiations, or lack thereof, enter their final stages. So as threats of walking away with no deal rear their head again, what does the future look like?

Host Ben Kelly is joined by Parliamentary Sketch Writer Tom Peck to discuss the government's handling of the negotiations, and how that fits in with the coronavirus pandemic.

Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support 

Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christopher Nolan's latest movie 'Tenet' has been released in UK cinemas this week and will land in US cinemas this weekend. Those who are yet to see it, and most of those who have, are asking the same question. What is it about?

The $200m blockbuster is Nolan's most confusing movie to date, so to better understand it Ben Kelly is joined by The Independent's Chief Film Critic Clarisse Loughrey.

Don't worry, there are no spoilers in this episode, in fact we're not sure we'd be able to spoil it if we tried...

You can also read Clarisse's review of Tenet here: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/tenet-review-christopher-nolan-cast-director-time-travel-explanation-a9681936.html

Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support 

Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After two weeks of speeches, protests and fireworks both the Democratic and Republican conventions are over. Donald Trump and Joe Biden have both accepted their party's nomination for president and the race between the two is now officially on.

But what have we learnt over the last fortnight? From Trump using the White House as a party political tool to Biden surprising viewers with his speech to the nation - where are we now as we head towards November?

Host Ben Kelly is joined by US Voices Editor Holly Baxter and US Reporter Chris Riotta who have both been covering the conventions.

Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support 

Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.