# Welfare Crisis, Small Boats Surge & Starmer’s EU Reset Row

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/afternoon-empire-with-ian-collins-1131640/welfare-crisis-small-boats-surge-starmer-s-eu-reset-row
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/afternoon-empire-with-ian-collins-1131640/welfare-crisis-small-boats-surge-starmer-s-eu-reset-row.md
Podcast: [Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins](https://stenobird.com/podcast/afternoon-empire-with-ian-collins-1131640)
Published: 2026-05-05T15:34:01+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/georgegallowaytalkshow/episodes/welfare-crisis-small-boats-surge-starmers-eu-reset-row
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/acast/s/georgegallowaytalkshow/e/69fa015d2a1dd3f1a82496d2/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/afternoon-empire-with-ian-collins-1131640/episodes/welfare-crisis-small-boats-surge-starmer-s-eu-reset-row
Duration seconds: 1997

## Resource

Is Britain’s welfare system spiralling while borders remain out of control? New figures suggest one million children could soon be claiming disability benefits, raising urgent questions about welfare dependency, public spending and long-term sustainability. Andrew Allison and Callum McGoldrick debate the benefits surge, economic impact and whether the system is being stretched too far. At the same time, the small boats crisis continues to escalate with arrivals projected to hit 200,000, while deportations lag far behind. Border expert Henry Bolton assesses immigration control, enforcement failures and what needs to change. And as Keir Starmer pushes for closer ties with the EU including potential £1bn-a-year commitments and defence cooperation Annunziata Rees-Mogg reacts to the growing backlash over Brexit, sovereignty and Britain’s financial obligations to Brussels. From welfare crisis and disability benefits to migration, small boats and EU relations, we ask: is Britain losing control of its borders, spending and direction? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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## Transcript

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