The Bench Report

Today we explore the role and limitations of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), which oversees fair trading between large UK supermarkets and their direct suppliers. Despite being intended to prot…

Discover why local pubs are vital community hubs, providing jobs, supporting local businesses, and boosting social connection. Learn about the financial challenges pubs face, like rising costs and ta…

 This episode explores the significant issue of banking fraud in the UK. We'll cover the two main types: unauthorised fraud, where criminals make payments without permission, and authorised push paym…

UK MPs recently debated the future of public libraries, highlighting their vital role as community hubs providing books, digital access, study spaces, and support. Despite facing real-terms cuts sinc…

Our fourth and final episode on local government discovers how local government in England is held accountable. Councils answer to both their local voters and the central government. They are financi…

Understanding local council money in England is complex. Councils primarily get funds from four sources: Council Tax from residents, Business Rates from companies (partially retained locally), Centra…

Part 2 of how local government works in England, focusing on elections and the changing structure of councils. We'll explore the First Past the Post electoral system used in wards, how boundaries are…

Part 1 of our series on Local Government explores structure and evolution. Learn about the two-tier system (county and district councils) and the shift towards unitary authorities that handle all loc…

Navigating parking in the UK can be complex due to devolved policy, meaning rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This episode breaks down key aspects, from council-cont…

This episode explores a parliamentary debate on the state of school buildings in Northumberland and Newcastle. The discussion highlights concerns about crumbling infrastructure, like the closure of P…

This episode explores a UK parliamentary debate on World Asthma Day, highlighting the significant impact of asthma across the nation. We explore key statistics: 7.2 million people live with asthma, a…

This episode explores the state of the British film and high-end television (HETV) industries based on recent analysis. We look at how big international investments drive growth but also the struggle…

This episode explores the growing issue of student mental health in English universities. We look at how many students are affected, what factors contribute to poor mental health, and the debate arou…

This episode looks at All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs). These are informal, cross-party groups in the UK Parliament, focused on specific topics or countries. Although not official parliamentary…

This episode explores bill carry-over in the UK Parliament, a procedure that allows public bills to continue their progress from one parliamentary session to the next instead of falling at the end of…

Our topic this episode discusses directly-elected mayors in England and Wales, a system introduced by the Local Government Act 2000. There are three main ways local authorities can be run: mayor and …

This episode looks at how the essential jobs, or "core tasks," of UK House of Commons select committees have changed over time. First set in 2002 to make committee work more organised and accountable…

This episode looks at the world of lobbying in UK politics, exploring its definition, perceived benefits and drawbacks. We discuss the existing regulatory framework, primarily the Transparency of Lob…

Do you worry about the safety of children on their way to school? Are you concerned about the decline in walking and cycling and the impact this has on their health and our environment? 

A recent deba…

Is your local salon facing an uncertain future? Parliament's recent debate exposed a critical situation for the UK's hair and beauty industry. Soaring costs and unfair tax policies are squeezing thes…