Episode
Squeezed Britain: student loans, salaries and strikes
- Podcast
- Political Fix
- Published
- Apr 10, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2176
- Processing state
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Summary
Sir Keir Starmer had promised 2026 would be the year the UK economy and household finances would finally “turn the corner”. But the Iran war has nixed those hopes. Now the pressure from unions to increase public sector pay is mounting, and resident doctors are continuing their rolling strikes. Student finance remains another open sore despite the announcement of a cap on loan interest rates. To discuss the pressures on the public purse, host Lucy Fisher is joined by political editor George Parker, columnist Stephen Bush and public policy editor Chris Smyth. Plus, with local elections just weeks away, the panel also discusses the prime minister’s trip to the Middle East. Follow: Lucy on X: @LOS_Fisher and Bluesky: @ lucyfisher.ft.com ; George @GeorgeWParker and @georgewparker.bsky.social; Stephen @stephenkb and @stephenkb.bsky.social and Chris @Smyth_Chris and @chris-smyth.bsky.social Want more? Starmer leans into his Iran response to resonate with voters Unions prepare for UK public sector pay push as inflation bites UK health officials discuss banning doctors from going on strike What happens when the Green Party governs? Capping student loan interest rates is a step in the right direction NHS data chief pushes for deeper rollout of Palantir technology despite outcry Can the Iran war save Keir Starmer’s premiership? UK exposes covert Russian submarine operation The political power struggle behind the Bayeux Tapestry Have a question for the panel? We’re planning a question-and-answer episode. Email your questions to political [email protected] Sign up here for Stephen’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Political Fix is presented by Luc…